What are the filing requirements for a corporation?

• A. File charter/articles with the Secretary of State; name must include corporate terms
• B. No filing required, only internal records
• C. Only file with the county clerk
• D. File annual reports only

Answer: (A)

When forming a corporation, the key action is to file the charter or articles of incorporation with the state government, specifically the Secretary of State’s office (in Florida, the Department of State, Division of Corporations). This filing creates the legal corporate entity. The chosen name must include a corporate designation such as Corporation, Incorporated, Company, or similar terms, so the public clearly sees it operates as a corporation.

Internal records alone do not establish a legal corporation, and filings with the county clerk are not the proper channel for forming a corporation. After formation, there are separate ongoing requirements like annual reports to maintain good standing, but the initial formation rests on filing the articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State.