The Arizona Articles of Incorporation is the legal document you file with the Arizona Corporation Commission to officially create a for-profit corporation in the state. You complete the form known as Form C010, pay a fee, and attach a few required documents to bring your corporation to life under A.R.S. Title 10, the Arizona Business Corporation Act.
Getting this right matters more than most people think. A single blank box, a missing signature, or a forgotten attachment can bounce your filing back and push your launch date out by weeks. The Arizona Corporation Commission processes tens of thousands of business filings each year, and a large share get rejected on the first pass for fixable errors like an unsigned statutory agent form or a wrong fee amount.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to fill out every box on Form C010, line by line, in plain English
- 🧾 Which companion forms (M002, C003, cover sheet) you must attach or your filing dies
- 💰 The exact fees, the $35 expedite option, and how to pay each way
- 🗞️ The 60-day newspaper publication rule that trips up almost every new corporation
- 🙋 Answers to the most common field-level questions filers ask about shares, agents, and directors
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Arizona Articles of Incorporation (Form C010) is the founding document that turns a business idea into a legal corporation recognized by the state. You file it with the Arizona Corporation Commission, often shortened to the ACC, which is the agency that approves and stores corporate records in Arizona. The form is required by A.R.S. § 10-202, the statute that lists what every set of articles must contain.
The statute exists to create a public record of who owns and runs a corporation and where it can be served with a lawsuit. If you skip the filing and operate as a “corporation” anyway, you get none of the liability protection you wanted, and courts can treat the business as a sole proprietorship or partnership. For example, Dana runs a small design studio and calls it a corporation on her invoices, but she never filed articles, so when a client sues, her personal savings are exposed.
A common misconception is that filing with the IRS or getting an EIN creates your corporation. It does not. The corporation only exists once the ACC approves your Articles of Incorporation, and an EIN is just a federal tax number that comes after.
Anyone forming a for-profit or professional corporation in Arizona must file this form. That includes startup founders, family businesses, professional practices like law or medical groups, and out-of-state owners who want an Arizona corporation. Nonprofits use a different form (Form C011) and should not use C010.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form. Missing one item is the top reason filings stall, because the ACC will not “hold” an incomplete package while you hunt for a detail.
- Your exact corporate name. It must be available and include a corporate ending like Inc., Corp., or Incorporated; run a name availability search first or your filing gets rejected for a conflict.
- A character of business. A short description of what your corporation does, because the ACC requires you to state your general business activity.
- Number of authorized shares. The total shares your corporation can issue, since this is mandatory and cannot be left blank.
- Statutory agent name and Arizona street address. The person or company that accepts lawsuits for you; a P.O. Box alone will be rejected.
- A signed Statutory Agent Acceptance (Form M002). The agent must sign to accept the role, or the ACC bounces the whole package.
- Names and addresses of all directors. Required so the public record shows who governs the corporation.
- Names, addresses, and signatures of all incorporators. At least one incorporator must sign, because an unsigned form is void on arrival.
- A completed Certificate of Disclosure (Form C003). This discloses any felony or fraud history of officers and directors and must be dated within 30 days of delivery.
- Your filing fee. $60 for regular service, plus $35 if you want expedited handling.
- The known place of business address. The physical Arizona address of the corporation, which may differ from the agent’s address.
If any item is missing, the consequence is the same: the examiner rejects the filing, you lose your place in line, and you restart the wait. Marcus learned this when his package came back because his statutory agent never signed Form M002, costing him three extra weeks before payroll could start.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Articles of Incorporation form lives on the Arizona Corporation Commission website. You can download the fillable for-profit Form C010 PDF from the Corporation Forms page, where all forms are PDF fillable so you can type your answers. Typing instead of handwriting reduces rejections, since examiners must be able to read every entry.
You can also file the entire package online through the ACC’s eCorp portal, which the Commission moved fully online during early 2026. Online filing walks you through the same fields as the paper form but checks for blank required boxes before you submit, which lowers your error rate.
Always confirm you have the current revision of the form before filling it out. The ACC prints a revision code in the corner of each form, and the Commission updates forms periodically, so a form saved on your computer from two years ago may be outdated. Filing an old version can lead to a rejection if a required field changed.
A common misconception is that any “articles of incorporation” template from the internet will work in Arizona. It will not. The ACC accepts its own C010 form or articles that contain every element required by A.R.S. § 10-202, and generic templates often miss a required clause.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form C010 Line by Line
The for-profit Articles of Incorporation form is organized into numbered sections. Fill them in order, top to bottom. Every box below gets its own walkthrough so you know exactly what to write, what to avoid, and what happens if you get it wrong.
1. Entity Name
This box asks for the full legal name of the corporation you are creating. Write the name exactly as you want it to appear on the public record, including the required corporate ending such as Inc., Incorporated, Corporation, Corp., Company, Co., Limited, or Ltd. Type it in clean capital letters for legibility, for example DESERT BLOOM COFFEE, INC.
A nuance to watch: if your corporation is a professional corporation (for licensed fields like law or dentistry), the name usually needs P.C. or Professional Corporation and must follow your licensing board rules. If you run a name search and the name is taken, you cannot use it, even if the spelling differs by a tiny bit.
The most common mistake here is leaving off the corporate ending, and the direct consequence is rejection because Arizona law requires the ending to signal limited liability to the public. A misconception filers carry is that reserving a name or owning a matching website locks in the legal name; it does not, because only the approved articles create the official corporate name.
2. Character of Business
This field asks what your corporation actually does. Describe the general type of business in a short phrase, such as retail coffee shop or software development services. You do not need a long mission statement, just enough to identify the activity.
A nuance: if you plan to do many things, a broad phrase like any lawful business combined with your main activity is acceptable, and it keeps you from having to amend later. If you are forming a professional corporation, the character of business must match the professional service you are licensed to provide.
The common mistake is leaving this blank because it feels optional, and the consequence is a rejected filing since the ACC treats it as a required statement. A misconception is that the character of business limits you to only that activity forever; in truth, you can run any lawful business, and this line is mainly a public description.
3. Shares (Authorized Shares)
This section asks for the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue and, if you choose, the classes and series of those shares. Enter a whole number, such as 10,000, and if you have only one class, you can simply state the total authorized common shares. If you create more than one class (like common and preferred), list each class with its number and rights, attaching Form C087 if you need more space.
A nuance: authorized shares are the maximum you can issue, not the number you must issue, so founders often authorize more than they hand out at first. Authorizing 1,000,000 shares but issuing only 100,000 is normal and gives room to bring in investors later.
The most common mistake is leaving this blank or writing “0,” and the consequence is rejection because A.R.S. § 10-202 requires at least one authorized share. A widespread misconception is that more authorized shares cost more in Arizona; the state filing fee is flat at $60 regardless of how many shares you authorize.
4. Statutory Agent
This box asks for the name and Arizona address of your statutory agent, the person or company that agrees to receive legal papers and official mail for the corporation. Write the agent’s full name and a physical Arizona street address, for example Maria Gomez, 412 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004. You may add a mailing address (including a P.O. Box) as a second line, but the physical street address is required.
A nuance: the agent can be an individual Arizona resident, your own corporation officer, or a commercial statutory agent service. If you hire a commercial service, use the exact agent name they give you so the records match.
The most common mistake is listing only a P.O. Box, and the consequence is rejection because the state must be able to physically serve a lawsuit at a real location. A misconception is that you can name anyone without telling them; the agent must actually accept the role by signing Form M002, covered next.
5. Statutory Agent Acceptance (Form M002)
This is not a box on C010 but a required separate form, the Statutory Agent Acceptance (Form M002), which must be submitted with your articles. On it, you enter the exact entity name of your corporation and the agent signs to confirm they accept the appointment. The entity name on M002 must match the name on your articles letter-for-letter.
A nuance: if a company serves as your agent, an authorized person at that company signs on its behalf, not you. The acceptance shows the agent knowingly agreed, which protects you from naming an unwilling agent.
The most common mistake is forgetting to include M002 or submitting it unsigned, and the consequence is that the ACC rejects the entire package since the appointment is incomplete. A misconception is that naming the agent in the articles is enough on its own; it is not, because Arizona requires the separate signed acceptance.
6. Known Place of Business
This field asks for the corporation’s principal physical address in Arizona, which is where the business is located or managed. Enter a full street address, such as 88 W. Pioneer Rd., Mesa, AZ 85201. This can be the same as the statutory agent address or different.
A nuance: if you run your business from home, you can use your home address, but remember this becomes public record that anyone can search. Some founders use their statutory agent’s address to keep their home private.
The common mistake is using an out-of-state address as the known place of business, and the consequence is a rejection because the principal location must be in Arizona. A misconception is that this address sets where you pay taxes; it mainly tells the public and the state where to find the corporation.
7. Directors
This section asks for the name and business address of every director who will serve on the board. List each director on the lines provided, for example Juli Schragel, 26197 N. 85th Lane, Peoria, AZ 85383. The form gives space for several directors; if you have more than fit, check the box and attach the Director Attachment (Form C082).
A nuance: a corporation can have just one director, who can also be the sole shareholder and officer, which is common for solo founders. Directors set policy and appoint officers, so this list shows the public who governs the company.
The most common mistake is leaving directors blank because the company has not “decided” yet, and the consequence is rejection since at least the initial directors must be named or the incorporators must state that directors will be chosen later. A misconception is that listing a director makes that person personally liable for company debts; serving on the board does not erase the corporation’s liability shield.
8. Incorporators
This box asks for the name, address, and signature of each incorporator, the person or people who are signing the articles into existence. Print each incorporator’s name and address, then have each one sign, for example Ray Schragel signs on the incorporator line with his address listed. At least one incorporator is required.
A nuance: an incorporator does not have to be a future owner, director, or officer; an attorney or formation service can act as incorporator. Once the corporation exists, the incorporators’ job is essentially done.
The most common mistake is submitting the form with a printed name but no signature, and the consequence is immediate rejection because an unsigned filing has no legal effect. A misconception is that you need many incorporators; one is enough in Arizona, so a single founder can incorporate alone.
9. Certificate of Disclosure (Form C003)
Filed alongside the articles, the Certificate of Disclosure (Form C003) asks whether any officer, director, or major shareholder has certain felony convictions, fraud judgments, or prior involvement with bankrupt or revoked corporations. You check the boxes that apply and, if any do, attach the required details, then all incorporators sign it. It must be dated within 30 days of delivery to the ACC.
A nuance: most new corporations check “no” to every disclosure and simply sign, which takes a minute. If there is something to disclose, you list the person, the offense, the date, and the location.
The most common mistake is leaving the certificate undated or dating it too early, and the consequence is rejection because a stale certificate (older than 30 days) is invalid. A misconception is that a past issue automatically blocks incorporation; disclosure is about transparency, not automatic denial.
10. Cover Sheet and Filing Fee
A cover sheet goes on top of your package and tells the ACC what you are filing, your contact information, and which service level you want. Check whether you want regular or expedited service and write your contact details so the examiner can reach you with questions. Attach payment of $60 for regular service, plus $35 if you choose expedited handling.
A nuance: putting a working phone number and email on the cover sheet lets the examiner call about a small fix instead of rejecting the filing outright. Make the check payable to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
The common mistake is paying the wrong fee amount, and the consequence is that the package is returned unprocessed until the correct fee arrives. A misconception is that the cover sheet is optional paperwork; without it, mailed and faxed filings can be delayed or returned.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common ways founders complete Form C010, each followed from start to finish.
Scenario 1: Solo tech founder. Priya Nair is launching a single-owner software startup and will be the only shareholder, director, and officer.
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| Entity Name | NAIR LABS, INC. |
| Character of Business | Software development services |
| Authorized Shares | 1,000,000 common shares |
| Statutory Agent | Priya Nair, 700 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 |
| Statutory Agent Acceptance (M002) | Priya signs as the agent accepting the role |
| Known Place of Business | 700 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 |
| Directors | Priya Nair (sole director) |
| Incorporators | Priya Nair — signed |
| Certificate of Disclosure (C003) | All boxes checked No, signed and dated |
| Fee / Service | $60 regular (no expedite) |
Scenario 2: Two co-founders splitting shares. Leo Tran and Amara Okafor are starting a product company together and want shares split evenly.
| Form Section | What Leo and Amara Enter |
|---|---|
| Entity Name | TRAN OKAFOR GOODS, INC. |
| Character of Business | Consumer products design and sales |
| Authorized Shares | 10,000,000 common shares |
| Statutory Agent | Leo Tran, 145 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 |
| Statutory Agent Acceptance (M002) | Leo signs accepting agent role |
| Known Place of Business | 145 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 |
| Directors | Leo Tran and Amara Okafor |
| Incorporators | Leo Tran and Amara Okafor — both signed |
| Certificate of Disclosure (C003) | All No, both incorporators sign |
| Fee / Service | $95 total ($60 + $35 expedite) |
Scenario 3: Family restaurant with a hired agent. Sofia Reyes is incorporating the family restaurant and hires a commercial statutory agent service to keep her home address private.
| Form Section | What Sofia Enters |
|---|---|
| Entity Name | CASA REYES KITCHEN, INC. |
| Character of Business | Restaurant and food service |
| Authorized Shares | 50,000 common shares |
| Statutory Agent | AZ Agent Services LLC, 3200 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012 |
| Statutory Agent Acceptance (M002) | The agent service signs accepting |
| Known Place of Business | 3200 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012 |
| Directors | Sofia Reyes and Hector Reyes |
| Incorporators | Sofia Reyes — signed |
| Certificate of Disclosure (C003) | All No, signed and dated |
| Fee / Service | $60 regular |
How to File the Completed Form
Arizona gives you three ways to file your Articles of Incorporation package. Pick the channel that fits your timeline and comfort with online tools.
Online (recommended). File through the ACC’s eCorp online portal, which is now the primary filing method. You upload or enter the articles, agent acceptance, and certificate of disclosure, then pay by credit or debit card. Online filings are typically processed faster than mailed ones, and you receive electronic confirmation; keep the confirmation email and any approval letter as your proof of filing.
By mail. Send the full package to Arizona Corporation Commission – Examination Section, 1300 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona 85007. Include a check or money order payable to the Arizona Corporation Commission for $60 (plus $35 if expediting). Mailed filings take longer, so request expedited service if you are in a hurry, and keep a copy of everything plus your mailing receipt as proof.
By fax. You may fax regular or expedite filings to 602-542-4100, or same-day/next-day filings to 602-542-0900, with a cover sheet that authorizes a payment method on file. Fax works only if you have a prepaid money-on-deposit account or authorize a card, so check the cover sheet payment options first. Save the fax confirmation page as proof of submission.
Processing times vary with ACC volume. Regular service can take a few weeks, while the $35 expedite option moves you to the front of the line, and same-day/next-day service is available for higher fees through the fax channels above.
What Happens After You File
Once you submit, an ACC examiner reviews your package for completeness and compliance with A.R.S. Title 10. If everything checks out, the Commission approves the articles, assigns your corporation an entity number, and sends an approval letter that includes your publication instructions. Your corporation legally exists as of the approval.
The big post-approval step is publication. Under A.R.S. § 10-203, you must publish a Notice of Incorporation in an approved newspaper in your known-place-of-business county within 60 days of approval. There is an important exception: if your known place of business is in Maricopa or Pima County, the ACC posts the notice on its public database for you, so you do not pay for a newspaper ad. For example, Priya in Phoenix (Maricopa County) skips the newspaper, while a founder in Yuma County must arrange and pay for a published notice.
If your filing is rejected, the ACC sends it back with a reason, and you fix the issue and resubmit. After approval and publication, you still need to handle internal steps like adopting bylaws, holding an organizational meeting, issuing stock, getting an EIN from the IRS, and filing your first annual report with the ACC.
A misconception is that approval is the finish line. It is not, because skipping publication where required can lead to administrative problems and even affect your good standing.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Leaving the corporate ending off the name. The filing is rejected because Arizona requires Inc., Corp., or a similar ending.
- Listing a P.O. Box as the statutory agent’s only address. The package bounces since service of process needs a physical street location.
- Forgetting the Statutory Agent Acceptance (M002). The articles are rejected because the agent’s appointment is incomplete without it.
- Submitting an unsigned M002. The ACC will not process the package without the agent’s signature.
- Entering “0” or blank authorized shares. The filing fails because at least one authorized share is required.
- Leaving the Certificate of Disclosure undated. A certificate older than 30 days or with no date is invalid and gets rejected.
- Not signing as an incorporator. An unsigned form has no legal effect and is returned.
- Paying the wrong filing fee. The package is held until the correct $60 (plus any expedite) arrives.
- Using an out-of-state known place of business. The principal address must be in Arizona or the filing is rejected.
- Skipping the cover sheet on mailed or faxed filings. This delays or returns the package because the ACC cannot route it.
- Missing the 60-day publication deadline. Outside Maricopa and Pima counties, this can jeopardize your corporation’s standing.
- Using an outdated version of Form C010. A stale form may lack a current required field and be rejected.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do run a name search first, because filing a conflicting name guarantees a rejection.
- Do type your entries so the examiner can read every field clearly.
- Do confirm your statutory agent signs M002, since the appointment is void without it.
- Do keep copies and confirmations, because they are your proof of filing if anything is lost.
- Do put a working phone and email on the cover sheet, so the examiner can call about a small fix.
- Do calendar your 60-day publication deadline, because missing it can hurt your standing outside Maricopa and Pima counties.
Don’t:
- Don’t use a P.O. Box as the only agent address, because the state must serve lawsuits at a physical location.
- Don’t authorize zero shares, since at least one is legally required.
- Don’t date the Certificate of Disclosure too early, because it expires after 30 days.
- Don’t assume an EIN creates your corporation, because only ACC approval does.
- Don’t reuse an old downloaded form, since the ACC updates forms over time.
- Don’t list your home address without thinking, because it becomes public record.
Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many founders successfully file Form C010 themselves, while others hire an attorney or formation service. Here is how the two paths compare.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Professional Help |
|---|---|
| Lower cost, since you pay only the $60 state fee | Higher cost, because you add service or attorney fees |
| Full control over every entry on the form | Less hands-on, since a pro handles the details |
| You learn how your corporation is structured | You save time and avoid the learning curve |
| You catch and fix your own errors | A pro reduces the chance of rejection on complex setups |
| Works well for simple single-class corporations | Better for multiple share classes or investor structures |
Pros of filing on your own: it saves money, gives you control, builds your understanding, keeps the process simple for basic corporations, and lets you file on your own schedule.
Cons of filing on your own: you risk rejection from small errors, you must learn the rules yourself, complex share structures get tricky, you handle the publication step alone, and mistakes can cost you time.
FAQs
Do I need a lawyer to file Arizona Articles of Incorporation?
No. One incorporator can file Form C010 alone, and many founders complete it themselves. A lawyer helps mainly with complex share classes, investors, or professional corporation rules.
Do I have to publish a notice after incorporating?
Yes, within 60 days, unless your known place of business is in Maricopa or Pima County, where the ACC posts the notice for you at no extra charge.
Do I write my P.O. Box as the statutory agent address?
No. The statutory agent needs a physical Arizona street address for service of process, though you may add a P.O. Box as a separate mailing line.
Do I have to issue all my authorized shares right away?
No. Authorized shares are the maximum you may issue, so you can authorize many and issue only a portion to founders now and the rest later.
Do I list “0” shares if I have not decided?
No. You must authorize at least one share, because A.R.S. § 10-202 requires a stated number, and “0” or blank gets rejected.
Do I need to include the Certificate of Disclosure with my articles?
Yes. Form C003 must accompany the articles, be signed by all incorporators, and be dated within 30 days of delivery to the ACC.
Do I have to name directors on the form?
Yes, the initial directors should be listed, though a single-owner corporation can name just one director who is also the shareholder and officer.
Do I write my maiden name or current name as an incorporator?
Yes, use your current legal name, since the public record should match the name you legally use and sign with today.
Do I need a separate signed form for my statutory agent?
Yes. The Statutory Agent Acceptance (Form M002) must be signed by the agent and submitted with the articles, or the filing is rejected.
Do nonprofits use this same Form C010?
No. Nonprofits file a different Articles of Incorporation form (Form C011), so a nonprofit using C010 will have the wrong document.
Do I pay more to authorize more shares in Arizona?
No. The state filing fee is a flat $60 regardless of how many shares you authorize, so authorizing more shares does not raise the cost.
Do I get faster service if I am in a hurry?
Yes. Pay an extra $35 for expedited processing, or use the same-day/next-day fax service for higher fees to move ahead of regular filings.
Do I have to use my home address as the known place of business?
No. You can use your statutory agent’s address or another Arizona location to keep your home address off the public record.
Do I need an EIN before I file the articles?
No. You file the articles first to create the corporation, then apply for an EIN from the IRS afterward using your new corporate name.
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