Legal Definitions - certificate of incorporation

A certificate of incorporation is a legal document that proves the establishment of a company or corporation. It is issued by the state government or a non-governmental entity/corporation.

For example, if a group of people want to start a business, they need to file for a certificate of incorporation with the state government. Once approved, they will receive the certificate, which proves that their business is officially recognized and established.

In some states, the term "certificate of incorporation" is used interchangeably with "articles of incorporation." These documents are a crucial part of a corporation's constitutional documents.

Overall, a certificate of incorporation is an important legal document that proves the existence of a company or corporation.