Incorporating in North Carolina

For complete and current information concerning North Carolina corporations you should go to the Secretary of State's official web site. The following is not an attempt to present all you need to know when forming a corporation in North Carolina but rather to call your attention to just some of the basic information and requirements you may want to know as you submit information to form your corporation.

The information herein is cited from the Secretary of State's official web site and the North Carolina General Statutes. While we make every effort to ensure its accuracy, MaxFilings cannot and does not guarantee that all of the information is accurate or complete and/or current and should therefore be independently verified.

North Carolina corporation name:

A North Carolina corporation’s name must contain the word "corporation", "incorporated", "company", or "limited", or an abbreviation thereof. The name must be distinguishable from any other business entities’ names registered or reserved in accordance with North Carolina law. The name cannot contain anything that states or implies the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by North Carolina law and its articles of incorporation.

North Carolina corporation board of directors:

A North Carolina corporation’s board of directors shall consist of one or more persons with the number specified in, or fixed in accordance with, the articles of incorporation or bylaws. Directors do not have to be residents of North Carolina or shareholders of the corporation unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws so prescribe. There are no eligibility requirements for board members other than as may be set forth in the corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws.

North Carolina corporation officers:

A North Carolina corporation has the officers described in its bylaws or appointed by the board of directors in accordance with its bylaws. A duly appointed officer may appoint other officers or assistant officers as may be authorized by the corporation’s board of directors or its bylaws. A secretary or assistant secretary, or one or more other officers designated by the corporation’s board of directors or its bylaws, shall have the responsibility and authority to maintain and authenticate the corporation’s records. The same person may simultaneously hold more than one office.

North Carolina corporation shareholders’ and directors’ meetings:

Annual shareholders’ meetings shall be held at the times stated in, or fixed in accordance with, the bylaws. Directors are elected at the first annual shareholders' meeting and at each annual meeting thereafter unless their terms are staggered in accordance with North Carolina law. The corporation’s board of directors or the person or persons authorized to do so by its articles of incorporation or bylaws may call special shareholders’ meetings. In the case of a non-public corporation, holders of at least 10 % of the votes entitled to be cast on an issue may also demand a special shareholders’ meeting as prescribed under North Carolina law.

Shareholders’ meetings may be held in or out of North Carolina at the place stated in, or fixed in accordance with, the bylaws. If no place is stated in, or fixed in accordance with, the bylaws, shareholders’ meetings shall be held at the corporation's principal office.

Regular or special meetings of a North Carolina corporation’s board of directors may be held in or out of North Carolina. Unless the corporation’s bylaws provide otherwise, special directors’ meetings may be called by the president or any two directors.

North Carolina taxes:

See the North Carolina Department of Revenue web site. 

North Carolina Registered Agent:

North Carolina corporations are required to have a registered agent in North Carolina. By having MaxFilings provide you with a professional registered agent, you can be assured that all legal documents, tax documents, annual reports, and correspondence with the state and regulatory agencies will be handled promptly, professionally, and efficiently.

Start forming your corporation now:

If you’re ready to form a North Carolina corporation with MaxFilings, you can start entering your information now. You’re under no obligation, and there is no charge until you actually place your order.

Incorporate in North Carolina