Forming a Corporation in Alabama

Each state has its own set of rules for businesses seeking to form a corporation there. If you've decided to incorporate in Alabama, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Incorporation with the Alabama Secretary of State. We can also assist with many of your follow-up needs such as amendment filings, written consents, and annual report preparation and filing. Here are some helpful facts about Alabama's incorporation requirements:

Corporate Name Requirements

Alabama requires corporations to have names that can't be confused with any existing, reserved or registered corporate names. When you incorporate with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Alabama's standards.

Permitted designations: Alabama corporate names may be followed by several approved designations, including:

• Corp.
• Corporation
• Inc.
• Incorporated

Restricted designations: The use of certain words and phrases in corporate names is considered "restricted" in Alabama, meaning they require special approval by the state. These include:

• Bank
• Banking
• Electric
• Engineering
• Insurance
• Trust

Filing Requirements

Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of your incorporation filing for you. This information is presented only for your reference.

Required documents: The state of Alabama requires businesses to file Articles of Incorporation as well as a Certificate of Name Reservation, if not previously filed.

Location to file: Businesses must file their corporate documents in the same county where their registered agent is located.

Turnaround Time: In general, turnaround time for incorporating a business in Alabama is 6-8 weeks. Expedited filings, which require an additional fee, typically take 4-5 weeks.

Follow-up Filings: Required. Newly formed corporations must file initial corporate shares and business privilege tax returns within 2 ½ months of organization.

Officers/Directors Information

Minimum number: Corporations are required to have one or more directors.

Director qualifications: Directors must be at least 19 years old. The Articles of Incorporation or bylaws may prescribe additional qualifications.

Appearance in articles: Required. Directors' names and addresses must appear in the Articles of Incorporation.

Written consent: Permitted. Directors may act in writing in lieu of holding a meeting.

Principal Office Location: Alabama permits a corporation's principal office to be located outside of the state.

Annual Reports

Time to file: Corporations must file annual reports with the Alabama Secretary of State between January 1 and March 15, no later than 2 ½ months after the first day of the new fiscal year.

Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is between 3 and 5 business days.

Signatures: Only company officers are authorized to sign annual reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are not accepted.

Filing extensions: Permitted. Filing extensions are good for six months. Businesses must apply for extensions prior to the annual report due date.