Incorporating a Corporation in Michigan

If you want to incorporate a corporation, Company Express will research the availability of chosen company name, prepare for you and file with the Secretary of State office all required corporate paperwork and obtain certified copy of filed documents, if it will be requested by the client.  We also will appoint registered agent for your corporation, as required by the state law, and will help with many of your follow-up corporate needs such as amendment filings, written consents, and annual report preparation and filing. You can find below some of the State incorporation requirements:

Corporate Name Requirements

Corporations names should’t be confused with any existing corporate, not-for-profit, assumed corporate, reserved or registered names. Company Express will research your company name to make sure it meets Michigan’s standards.

Permitted designations: corporate names must contain one of the following words at the end of the name:

• Co.
• Company
• Corp.
• Corporation
• Inc.
• Incorporated
• Limited
• Ltd.

Filing Requirements

Remember, when you work with Company Express, we’ll take care of your incorporation filing for you. This information is presented only for your reference.

Required documents: The state of Michigan requires businesses to file Articles of Incorporation with the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for incorporating a business in Michigan is 10-15 business days. Expedited filings, which require an additional fee, typically take 2-3 business days.

Follow-up filings: Not required.

Officers/Directors Information

Minimum number: Corporations are required to have one or more directors as well as a president, secretary and treasurer.

Director qualifications: The Articles of Incorporation or bylaws may prescribe the qualifications for directors. A director is not required to be a shareholder or resident of Michigan or the U.S. unless spelled out in the articles or bylaws.

Appearance in articles: Not required. Directors’ names and addresses do not have to appear in the Articles of Incorporation.

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

Annual Reports

Time to file: Corporations must file a Michigan Domestic Corporation Information Update with the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth on or before May 15. Filing fee is $15.

Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is 10 business days.

Signatures: Only company officers are authorized to sign annual reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are accepted.

Filing extensions: Permitted. Filing extensions can be filed for two years.