Rhode Island Business Corporation Articles of Incorporation Preparation Worksheet
RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CORPORATION ARTICLES PREPARATION WORKSHEET
Use this worksheet to prepare the Department of State's Articles of Incorporation, Form 100 (revised March 2026). Complete, sign, and file the Department's form or its online equivalent to form the corporation. This worksheet is for an ordinary domestic business corporation; a nonprofit or regulated business needs a different filing review.
1. Corporation name
Exact proposed name, including a corporate designator: [________________________________]
Department name-search date and result: [________________________________]
The form's instructions require a name distinguishable on the Department's records and list acceptable designators. A search result does not reserve the name.
2. Authorized shares
| Class of stock | Total authorized shares | Par value per share |
|---|---|---|
| [CLASS] | [NUMBER] | [AMOUNT OR NO PAR] |
| [CLASS, IF ANY] | [NUMBER] | [AMOUNT OR NO PAR] |
Total authorized shares across classes: [NUMBER]
Form 100 treats authorized shares as having a $0.01 par value unless the articles state otherwise. Have counsel draft any class rights, preferences, voting terms, or restrictions and attach them where the form permits. The form's instructions state a $230 minimum filing fee for fewer than 75 million authorized shares; confirm the live fee before filing.
☐ Optional close-corporation election considered with counsel; check the Form 100 box only if intended.
3. Initial Rhode Island registered agent and office
Agent's name: [________________________________]
Rhode Island street address: [STREET, CITY/TOWN, ZIP]
Agent and address confirmed: ☐ Yes ☐ Pending
The Form 100 instructions require a Rhode Island resident or qualified entity as agent and a street address rather than a post-office box.
4. Optional charter terms
Form 100 supplies the ordinary lawful-business purpose and perpetual-existence language. Record any additional provisions for counsel to draft and review; do not add an unreviewed provision merely to fill a blank.
Proposed provision and reason: [________________________________]
Attachment needed: ☐ Yes ☐ No
5. Incorporators and effective date
| Incorporator's full name | Mailing address | Signature arranged |
|---|---|---|
| [NAME] | [ADDRESS] | ☐ |
| [NAME, IF ANY] | [ADDRESS] | ☐ |
Every incorporator must sign and date Form 100. Choose one effective-date option on the form:
☐ Upon filing. ☐ Later date: [DATE] (no more than 90 days after filing).
6. Submission checklist
☐ Transfer the entries to the current Form 100 or Department online filing.
☐ Include any reviewed share-rights or other optional attachment.
☐ Have all incorporators review, sign, and date the completed filing.
☐ Supply the separate filer contact information requested by Form 100.
☐ Check the current fee and filing method on the Department's form, then submit and confirm the accepted filing in the Department's corporate database.
About this template
- Last updated
- November 1, 2026
- Citations checked
- November 1, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Rhode Island
- Category
- Corporate & Business
Legal authority
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-202 (identified in Rhode Island Department of State Form 100, rev. 03/2026)
Corporate documents govern how a company makes decisions, records them, and handles disputes between owners, directors, and officers. Proper corporate paperwork is what lets a business take advantage of limited liability, pass clean audits, and survive an acquisition or investor review. Skipping formalities like written resolutions and signed consents is one of the fastest ways for a business owner to lose personal asset protection.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on November 1, 2026.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-202 (identified in Rhode Island Department of State Form 100, rev. 03/2026) (checked November 1, 2026): "The undersigned, acting as incorporator(s) of the corporation under RIGL 7-1.2-202, adopt(s) the following Articles of Incorporation"
Rhode Island Department of State, Form 100, rev. 03/2026, instructions item 3 (checked November 1, 2026): "A Rhode Island street address is required, NOT a P.O. Box."
Rhode Island Department of State, Form 100, rev. 03/2026, instructions item 7 (checked November 1, 2026): "Any later date must be within 90 days of filing."
Rhode Island Department of State, Form 100, rev. 03/2026, articles item 2 (checked November 1, 2026): "Unless otherwise stated, all authorized shares are deemed to have a nominal or par value of $0.01 per share."
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