Articles of Incorporation
(WI Corporation)

Summary

This template Articles of Incorporation (WI Corporation) may be adopted by a Wisconsin corporation and filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, and optional clauses. This template also contains provisions required by Wisconsin's business corporation law for the formation of for-profit corporations in their articles of incorporation as well as certain provisions that are permitted (in each case, under Wis. Stat. Ann. § 180.0202) in the articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation may, but are not required to, include any provision that under the Wisconsin business corporation law is required or permitted to be set forth in the corporation's bylaws. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 180.0202(2)(c). Counsel should note that the articles of incorporation control if any provision of the articles of incorporation are inconsistent with a bylaw of the corporation. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 180.0202(4). A corporation may file the articles of incorporation by mail (to: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Box 93348, Milwaukee, WI 53293-0348) or online through the Department's portal. Use of the department's online or printed form is optional. The filing fee is $100 (Wis. Stat. Ann. § 180.0122(1m)(a)) and expedited processing is available (Wis. Stat. Ann. § 180.0122(4)) for an additional $25 fee (as per the department's online fee schedule). For more information on Wisconsin corporations, see Formation and Qualification (WI Corporation) and Formation Checklist (WI Corporation).