Michigan Form CSCL/CD-700 is the Articles of Incorporation for Use by Domestic Profit Corporations, the legal document every for-profit corporation must file with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (CSCL), to legally exist as a Michigan corporation. The form is authorized under Section 202 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, MCL 450.1202, and a defective filing means your corporation does not legally exist, your “officers” have no authority, and any contracts signed in the corporate name may bind you personally.
LARA processes more than 25,000 new domestic profit corporation filings each year through its Corporations Online Filing System (COFS), and the Bureau reports that roughly 1 in 7 paper Articles are rejected on first review for fixable errors like missing resident agent consent, blank share counts, or unsigned incorporator blocks. This guide walks you through the form line by line so you avoid that pile.
- 📝 The exact wording to enter in every Article (I through VIII) and the signature block.
- 💰 The $10 nonrefundable filing fee, the $50 minimum organization/franchise fee, and the full expedited fee ladder ($50 / $100 / $500 / $1,000).
- 🏢 How to choose between a standard profit corporation and a professional service corporation (PC) under MCL 450.221.
- 🧑💼 Three fully filled-out scenarios (solo tech founder, multi-owner medical PC, delayed-effective-date corporation) you can model your filing on.
- ⏱ Every filing channel — online COFS, mail, in person at Lansing, fax, and expedited — with addresses, payment methods, processing times, and proof-of-filing.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form CSCL/CD-700 is the birth certificate of a Michigan for-profit corporation. Filing it with LARA’s Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau under MCL 450.1202 creates a separate legal “person” that can own property, sign contracts, sue, be sued, and shield its shareholders from personal liability for company debts. Without an effective filing, you are operating as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, and creditors can reach your personal bank accounts, home, and wages.
Every founder forming a domestic for-profit corporation in Michigan must file this form, including standard C-corporations, S-corporations (the federal tax election does not change the state form), close corporations under MCL 450.1488, and professional service corporations formed under the Professional Service Corporation Act, MCL 450.221 et seq. Foreign corporations (those formed in another state) do not use this form; they file Form CSCL/CD-560, the Application for Certificate of Authority. Nonprofits use CSCL/CD-502 instead.
The form is short — only two pages — but every Article carries legal weight. The agency clerk is not your lawyer and will not fix substantive mistakes, only obvious clerical ones. The current revision date printed on the lower-left corner of the form is (Rev. 09/15), and you should confirm you are using that version by downloading fresh from the LARA forms library before filing.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before opening the PDF or logging into COFS, because the online system times out after 20 minutes of inactivity and the paper form leaves no room for sloppy edits. A clean first filing saves you the $25 amendment fee and the 5–10 business day re-review wait.
- ✅ Proposed corporate name with a corporate ending (Corporation, Incorporated, Company, Limited, Corp., Inc., Co., or Ltd.) — required by MCL 450.1211; without it, the filing is rejected.
- ✅ Name availability check run through the LARA business entity search so you do not pay $10 to be told your name is taken.
- ✅ Total number of authorized shares and class structure (common, preferred, voting, nonvoting) because this number drives the organization fee under MCL 450.2060.
- ✅ Resident agent’s full legal name (a Michigan individual or a Michigan-authorized entity) who has agreed in writing to accept service of process.
- ✅ Registered office street address in Michigan — a P.O. Box alone is not allowed under MCL 450.1241.
- ✅ Mailing address for the registered office if it differs from the street address.
- ✅ Incorporator’s name, address, and signature — at least one incorporator who is 18 or older is required by MCL 450.1201.
- ✅ Purpose statement language, which can be the broad “any lawful purpose” clause for standard corporations or a narrow professional-services purpose for a PC.
- ✅ Professional licensing board approval if forming a PC (medicine, law, dentistry, architecture, etc.) under MCL 450.2284.
- ✅ Payment method — credit card or electronic check for COFS, or check/money order payable to “State of Michigan” for paper filings.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can download the official PDF directly from LARA’s site at the CSCL/CD-700 link, or you can complete the same Articles entirely online through the Corporations Online Filing System. The online portal is the faster path because it builds the document for you, validates the math on the organization fee, and produces a stamped certificate within minutes when paid by credit card.
Paper filers can also request a form by mail or pick one up in person at the LARA Bureau office at 2501 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, MI 48864. The Bureau also accepts fax filings at (517) 241-0538 if you have a MICH-ELF (Michigan Electronic Filing) prepaid account, which is mostly used by attorneys and filing services. If you walk in, you can request expedited review and walk out the same day with a stamped copy.
The form itself is identical across channels — only the delivery method changes. Whether you e-file, mail, fax, or hand-deliver, the legal content of Articles I through VIII is the same, and the Michigan Business Corporation Act governs every version. Do not use a third-party “fillable” copy you found through a search engine, because outdated versions are rejected.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out CSCL/CD-700 Line by Line
The form is divided into a header, eight numbered Articles, and a signature block. Complete them in order. Use black ink or type if filing on paper, and use ALL CAPS only where the form prompts for it.
Header: Identifying Number and Document Will Be Returned To
What the field asks in plain English. The top of page 1 has a small “Identifying Number” box for LARA’s internal use, and a “Document Will Be Returned To” box where you write the name and mailing address that should receive the stamped certificate.
How to answer it. Leave the Identifying Number blank — LARA’s clerk fills it in. In the “Document Will Be Returned To” box, type the name of the person or law firm and a complete U.S. mailing address (street or P.O. Box, city, state, ZIP).
Specific example. Maria Lopez, 4421 Cass Avenue, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48201.
Nuance or edge case. If you use a registered agent service like Northwest or CT Corporation, list the service’s address here so the stamped Articles route to the right place. The address can be outside Michigan; only the registered office must be in-state.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers leave this box blank thinking COFS handles delivery. On paper filings, a blank return box means LARA mails the certificate to the incorporator’s signature address, and if that is wrong, you may never receive proof of filing.
Misconception. Many filers think this is the registered office; it is not. This is just the mailing label for the stamped copy.
Article I: Corporate Name
What the field asks in plain English. The exact legal name of your corporation, including the required ending word or abbreviation.
How to answer it. Type the full name on the single line provided. End it with one of the corporate identifiers required by MCL 450.1211: Corporation, Incorporated, Company, Limited, Corp., Inc., Co., or Ltd. Do not use punctuation that the agency search engine cannot parse, such as emojis or all-symbol names.
Specific example. BlueRiver Robotics, Inc.
Nuance or edge case. If you are forming a PC, your name must include “Professional Corporation,” “Professional Service Corporation,” “P.C.,” or “P.S.C.” per MCL 450.224. For example, Lakeside Family Medicine, P.C.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers reuse a name already on file or one that is “deceptively similar” to an existing entity. LARA rejects the filing under MCL 450.1212, refunds nothing, and you start over.
Misconception. People think a domain registration or a federal trademark guarantees Michigan name approval. It does not. Only the LARA name database controls.
Article II: Purpose
What the field asks in plain English. The lawful business purpose for which the corporation is formed.
How to answer it. For standard for-profit corporations, write the broad statutory phrase: The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is formed is to engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be formed under the Business Corporation Act of Michigan. For PCs, you must narrow the purpose to the specific licensed profession.
Specific example (PC). To practice the profession of medicine as authorized under Article 15 of the Public Health Code, MCL 333.16101 et seq.
Nuance or edge case. A PC cannot list “any lawful purpose.” The Bureau cross-checks the purpose against the licensing board’s roster, and a generic purpose triggers an immediate rejection under MCL 450.2283.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers leave Article II blank assuming “any lawful purpose” is implied. LARA rejects blank purpose statements, and your $10 fee is not refunded.
Misconception. Some founders think a narrow purpose locks them into one industry forever. It does not — you can amend Article II at any time using Form CSCL/CD-515 and a $25 fee.
Article III: Authorized Shares
What the field asks in plain English. The total number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, broken out by class and series, with par value if any.
How to answer it. Enter the total authorized shares on the first line, then list each class (common, preferred), the number of shares per class, par value (or “no par”), and any special rights, preferences, or limitations. Use a continuation sheet if you need more space.
Specific example. Total authorized shares: 60,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value.
Nuance or edge case. The number of shares directly drives the organization fee. The minimum fee is $50 for up to 60,000 shares, then it scales up under MCL 450.2060: $100 for 60,001–1,000,000; $300 for 1,000,001–5,000,000; $500 for 5,000,001–10,000,000; and $500 plus $1,000 per additional 10 million above that.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers authorize “1,000,000,000” shares because a template said so, and end up paying a four-figure organization fee they did not budget for. The fee is nonrefundable.
Misconception. Founders think authorized = issued. They are different. You can authorize 10 million and issue only 1,000 to yourself.
Article IV: Registered Office and Resident Agent
What the field asks in plain English. The Michigan street address of the registered office, the mailing address (if different), and the name of the resident agent at that office.
How to answer it. Line 1: street address (number, street, city, Michigan ZIP). Line 2: mailing address if different. Line 3: name of the resident agent — an individual Michigan resident or a Michigan-authorized entity. The county of the registered office is also entered.
Specific example. 1234 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226, Wayne County. Resident Agent: James K. Patel.
Nuance or edge case. A P.O. Box alone is not acceptable for the registered office — the address must be a physical Michigan street where service of process can be hand-delivered, per MCL 450.1241. A P.O. Box is allowed only as the mailing address.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers list themselves as resident agent at a home address they later vacate. When they move, service of a lawsuit goes to the old address, a default judgment is entered, and the corporation’s bank account is frozen.
Misconception. Filers think the registered agent must be an attorney. Any adult Michigan resident or authorized entity qualifies.
Article V: Incorporator(s)
What the field asks in plain English. The names and street addresses of each person signing the Articles into existence.
How to answer it. List each incorporator’s full legal name on the left and their complete street address on the right. At least one incorporator is required, but you may have several. The incorporator does not need to be a future shareholder, director, or officer.
Specific example. Sara N. Whitfield, 882 Lakeshore Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Nuance or edge case. An incorporator can be a paid filing service or attorney. Once the Articles are filed, the incorporator’s job is done — they hold no ongoing role unless separately appointed.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers type the name of an LLC or trust as incorporator. Under MCL 450.1201, the incorporator must be a natural person 18 or older; an entity incorporator triggers rejection.
Misconception. People assume the incorporator automatically owns the company. They do not — share issuance happens later at the organizational meeting.
Article VI: Optional — Term of Existence
What the field asks in plain English. How long the corporation will exist, if not perpetual.
How to answer it. Leave Article VI blank for a perpetual corporation (the default and what 99% of filers choose). Write a specific number of years or a date only if you want the corporation to dissolve automatically.
Specific example. Perpetual. (Or simply leave the line blank.)
Nuance or edge case. Joint ventures and project-specific corporations sometimes use a fixed term, like “Five (5) years from the effective date of these Articles.” When the term expires, the corporation dissolves by operation of law unless extended.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers write “N/A” or “perpetual” thinking it is required. Either is fine, but writing a number you did not intend (e.g., “50”) creates an automatic dissolution clock you may forget about.
Misconception. Filers believe perpetual existence is taxable forever. It is not — Michigan does not assess franchise tax, only the annual $25 report fee under MCL 450.1911.
Article VII: Optional — Additional Provisions
What the field asks in plain English. Any extra rules you want baked into the charter, such as cumulative voting, preemptive rights, indemnification, or close-corporation status.
How to answer it. Use this space (or an attached continuation sheet labeled “Article VII Continued”) to add governance provisions. Common entries include indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permitted by MCL 450.1561, elimination of director liability under MCL 450.1209, and electing close-corporation treatment.
Specific example. No director shall be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except as prohibited by Section 209(1)(c) of the Business Corporation Act.
Nuance or edge case. Venture-backed startups frequently add a Delaware-style protective provision here. PCs sometimes add restrictions on share transfer to non-licensed persons, which is required by MCL 450.2287.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers paste a Delaware charter into Article VII without adapting Michigan statutory cites. Provisions referencing nonexistent Michigan code sections are unenforceable.
Misconception. Founders think Article VII is required. It is optional and can be left entirely blank.
Article VIII: Optional — Effective Date
What the field asks in plain English. A future effective date if you do not want the corporation to exist immediately upon filing.
How to answer it. Enter a specific date no more than 90 days after the filing date. Format as MM/DD/YYYY. Leave blank to make the Articles effective on the LARA filing date (the default).
Specific example. Effective Date: 01/01/2027.
Nuance or edge case. A delayed effective date is useful when filing in late December to avoid a short-year tax return — the corporation does not exist until January 1, so no federal Form 1120 is owed for the prior year. Per MCL 450.1131, the date cannot be more than 90 days out.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers enter a past date thinking it backdates the corporation. LARA rejects past dates outright, and you cannot retroactively create a corporation.
Misconception. Filers think a delayed date pushes the filing fee. It does not — the fee is due when filed, even if effectiveness is delayed.
Signature Block: Incorporator(s)
What the field asks in plain English. Each incorporator’s signature, printed name, and the date signed.
How to answer it. Each incorporator named in Article V signs on a separate line, prints their name beneath, and dates the signature. On COFS, an authenticated electronic signature satisfies this requirement under the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, MCL 450.831 et seq.
Specific example. Signed: /s/ Sara N. Whitfield. Printed: Sara N. Whitfield. Date: 05/21/2026.
Nuance or edge case. If a paid filing service signs as incorporator on your behalf, that signature is legally binding — the service is the legal incorporator until the first organizational meeting transfers control to your directors.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers sign in blue ink, scan, then forget to date. An undated signature is treated as defective, and LARA rejects under its filing standards.
Misconception. Filers think a notary is required. It is not — Articles of Incorporation under MCL 450.1202 are not notarized in Michigan.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three end-to-end walkthroughs. Each row in each table maps to a section of CSCL/CD-700.
Scenario 1: Solo Tech Founder — Aaron Choi forms BlueRiver Robotics, Inc.
| Form Section | What Aaron Enters |
|---|---|
| Document Will Be Returned To | Aaron Choi, 221 Main Street, Apt 4, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Article I — Corporate Name | BlueRiver Robotics, Inc. |
| Article II — Purpose | To engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be formed under the Business Corporation Act of Michigan. |
| Article III — Authorized Shares | 60,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value |
| Article IV — Registered Office / Resident Agent | 221 Main Street, Apt 4, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Washtenaw County. Resident Agent: Aaron Choi |
| Article V — Incorporator | Aaron Choi, 221 Main Street, Apt 4, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Article VI — Term | Perpetual |
| Article VII — Additional Provisions | Director liability is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by MCL 450.1209. |
| Article VIII — Effective Date | (blank — effective on filing) |
| Signature | Signed: /s/ Aaron Choi. Date: 05/21/2026 |
| Total Fees Paid | $60 ($10 filing + $50 organization fee) |
Scenario 2: Multi-Owner Medical PC — Drs. Patel, Nguyen, and Brooks form Lakeside Family Medicine, P.C.
| Form Section | What the Doctors Enter |
|---|---|
| Document Will Be Returned To | Patel Law PLLC, 500 Griswold Street, Suite 2400, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Article I — Corporate Name | Lakeside Family Medicine, P.C. |
| Article II — Purpose | To practice the profession of medicine as authorized under Article 15 of the Public Health Code, MCL 333.16101 et seq. |
| Article III — Authorized Shares | 3,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value, issuable only to licensed physicians |
| Article IV — Registered Office / Resident Agent | 789 Lakeshore Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, Kent County. Resident Agent: Rina Patel, M.D. |
| Article V — Incorporators | Rina Patel, Linh Nguyen, Marcus Brooks (all at 789 Lakeshore Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) |
| Article VI — Term | Perpetual |
| Article VII — Additional Provisions | Shares may be issued, transferred, or held only by individuals licensed to practice medicine under MCL 450.2287. |
| Article VIII — Effective Date | (blank) |
| Signature | Three incorporator signatures, dated 05/21/2026 |
| Total Fees Paid | $60 ($10 filing + $50 organization fee) |
Scenario 3: Delayed Effective Date — Jenna Rivers forms Northwood Outfitters, Inc. on December 12, 2026 to start January 1, 2027
| Form Section | What Jenna Enters |
|---|---|
| Document Will Be Returned To | Jenna Rivers, 14 Pine Ridge Lane, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| Article I — Corporate Name | Northwood Outfitters, Inc. |
| Article II — Purpose | Any lawful business purpose under the Michigan Business Corporation Act. |
| Article III — Authorized Shares | 50,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value |
| Article IV — Registered Office / Resident Agent | 14 Pine Ridge Lane, Traverse City, MI 49684, Grand Traverse County. Resident Agent: Jenna Rivers |
| Article V — Incorporator | Jenna Rivers, 14 Pine Ridge Lane, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| Article VI — Term | Perpetual |
| Article VII — Additional Provisions | (blank) |
| Article VIII — Effective Date | 01/01/2027 |
| Signature | Signed: /s/ Jenna Rivers. Date: 12/12/2026 |
| Total Fees Paid | $60 ($10 filing + $50 organization fee) |
How to File the Completed Form
You have four channels: online, mail, in person, and fax. Each one accepts the same Form CSCL/CD-700 content but differs on speed, payment, and proof-of-filing.
Online (recommended). Use the COFS portal at https://cofs.lara.state.mi.us. Pay the $10 filing fee plus the organization fee (minimum $50) by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or electronic check. Standard processing is 1–3 business days; routine filings paid by credit card often complete within minutes. Your proof-of-filing is the stamped PDF you download from your COFS dashboard.
Mail. Send the signed original to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Corporations Division, P.O. Box 30054, Lansing, MI 48909. Pay by check or money order to “State of Michigan.” Standard mail processing is 10–15 business days. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the certificate.
In person. Walk into 2501 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, MI 48864, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pay by check, cash, money order, or credit card. Same-day expedited service is available for an extra $100 fee. You walk out with a stamped certificate.
Fax (MICH-ELF account holders only). Fax to (517) 241-0538 with your prepaid MICH-ELF cover sheet. The Bureau processes faxes in 1–3 business days. The signed original must still be retained in your records, although LARA does not require it be mailed.
Expedited service (any channel) is governed by MCL 450.1131(10) and the LARA fee schedule: $50 for 24-hour review, $100 for same-day, $500 for 2-hour, and $1,000 for 1-hour. Expedited fees are in addition to the $10 filing fee and organization fee.
What Happens After You File
LARA’s Corporations Division reviews each filing for statutory compliance — name availability, required Articles, signature, and fee. Acceptance returns a stamped certificate showing the filing date and CID (Corporation Identification Number), which is your nine-digit corporate ID for all future filings.
Within 90 days of formation, you should hold an organizational meeting where the incorporator appoints initial directors, the directors adopt bylaws, issue stock, elect officers, and authorize a bank account. Failure to issue stock can pierce the corporate veil because courts treat un-capitalized corporations as alter egos of the shareholders, exposing personal assets.
Your first annual report (Form CSCL/CD-2700) is due by May 15 of the year following formation, with a $25 fee under MCL 450.1911. Two consecutive missed annual reports automatically dissolve your corporation, and reinstatement under MCL 450.1925 costs $25 plus all back-fees and a $50 reinstatement fee.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Leaving Article II blank — LARA rejects the filing and your $10 is nonrefundable.
- Listing a P.O. Box only in Article IV — service of process cannot be delivered, so the filing is rejected.
- Authorizing 10 million shares without checking the fee table — you owe $500 instead of $50.
- Naming an LLC as incorporator — only a natural person 18+ qualifies, so the filing bounces.
- Using a corporate name without “Inc.,” “Corp.,” “Co.,” or “Ltd.” — required ending is missing, and LARA rejects.
- Forgetting “P.C.” for a professional corporation — the Bureau routes the filing to the wrong queue and rejects.
- Signing without dating — undated signatures are treated as defective.
- Listing yourself as resident agent at a home you plan to leave — service goes to the old address and you miss lawsuits.
- Pasting a Delaware charter into Article VII — provisions citing wrong statutes are unenforceable.
- Entering a past date in Article VIII — Michigan does not allow backdated incorporation, so the filing is rejected.
- Skipping the name pre-search — duplicate or deceptively similar names are rejected and the fee is forfeited.
- Forgetting the $50 minimum organization fee — short payment delays processing and triggers a deficiency notice.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do run a name availability search before paying the filing fee, because rejection forfeits your $10.
- Do file online through COFS for the fastest turnaround and built-in fee math.
- Do keep your stamped certificate and CID number in a permanent corporate records book.
- Do confirm your resident agent has signed a written consent before filing, even though Michigan does not require the consent be filed.
- Do calendar your May 15 annual report deadline immediately so you do not lose your corporate existence.
- Do consult the Michigan Business Corporation Act when drafting Article VII customizations.
Don’ts
- Don’t authorize more shares than you need; the organization fee scales sharply above 60,000.
- Don’t list a P.O. Box as the registered office; only as the mailing address.
- Don’t leave Article II blank; statutory purpose language must appear.
- Don’t sign as incorporator unless you are 18 or older and a natural person.
- Don’t forget the corporate ending word required by MCL 450.1211.
- Don’t enter a past or 100-days-out future date in Article VIII; only 0–90 days is valid.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se (yourself)
- Saves $300–$1,500 in legal fees on a routine filing.
- COFS validates fee math automatically, lowering rejection risk.
- You learn your own corporate documents intimately.
- Same-day stamped certificate if you e-file with credit card.
- Direct control over Article VII customization without lawyer back-and-forth.
Cons of filing pro se
- Article VII drafting errors create unenforceable provisions you only discover in litigation.
- Wrong share count costs hundreds in nonrefundable organization fees.
- Resident agent mistakes lead to default judgments later.
- PC purpose language errors trigger rejection from licensing boards.
- No professional advice on share class structure, which limits future fundraising.
Pros of filing with an attorney or service
- Professional cross-checks against the Business Corporation Act and Professional Service Corporation Act.
- Properly drafted Article VII protects directors and supports VC fundraising.
- Registered agent service ensures lawsuits reach you for years to come.
- Bundled bylaws, organizational minutes, and stock issuances.
- A licensed attorney is on the hook for malpractice if the filing is defective.
Cons of filing with an attorney or service
- Attorney fees range from $300 (flat-fee service) to $2,000+ (full corporate setup).
- Turnaround is slower because the lawyer queues your filing behind others.
- Some discount services use generic Article VII language that does not fit Michigan.
- You still pay LARA’s $10 filing fee and organization fee on top of professional fees.
- Annual registered agent service runs $100–$300 per year on top of LARA’s $25 annual report fee.
CSCL/CD-700 vs. Related Michigan Forms
| Form | When You Use It |
|---|---|
| CSCL/CD-700 | Forming a brand-new Michigan for-profit corporation. |
| CSCL/CD-502 | Forming a Michigan nonprofit corporation. |
| CSCL/CD-560 | Foreign (out-of-state) corporation seeking authority to do business in Michigan. |
| CSCL/CD-515 | Amending Articles after incorporation. |
| CSCL/CD-2700 | Annual report due May 15 each year, $25 fee. |
FAQs
Do I have to file CSCL/CD-700 if I already have a Michigan LLC?
Yes. A corporation and an LLC are different legal entities. To convert an LLC into a corporation, file the Certificate of Conversion plus CSCL/CD-700.
Can I be my own resident agent in Article IV?
Yes. Any Michigan resident who is 18 or older can serve, but you must use a Michigan street address where service of process can be hand-delivered during business hours.
Is Article VI (term) required?
No. Leave it blank or write “perpetual” — the default under MCL 450.1131 is perpetual existence, and 99% of corporations want that.
Do I write my full middle name in Article V?
No. A full first name, middle initial, and last name is acceptable, but match exactly what you sign in the signature block to avoid clerk confusion.
Do I list both the street address and a P.O. Box in Article IV?
Yes. Use the street address as the registered office and the P.O. Box on the second line as the mailing address; a P.O. Box alone is rejected.
Is a notary required on the signature block?
No. Michigan does not require notarization for CSCL/CD-700 under MCL 450.1202; only signature, printed name, and date are required.
Do I have to enter par value in Article III?
No. “No par value” is acceptable and is what most modern Michigan corporations use, although you can specify a par value like $0.0001 if you prefer.
Will LARA reserve my name before I file?
Yes. File Form CSCL/CD-540 with a $25 fee to reserve a name for six months while you prepare your Articles.
Can I list more than one incorporator in Article V?
Yes. Michigan allows any number of incorporators; each must be a natural person 18+ and each must sign the signature block.
Is the $50 organization fee in addition to the $10 filing fee?
Yes. The $10 is the filing fee under MCL 450.1131 and the $50 is the minimum organization fee under MCL 450.2060; total minimum is $60.
Can I use a P.O. Box in the “Document Will Be Returned To” header?
Yes. This box only controls where LARA mails the stamped certificate, so any U.S. address — including a P.O. Box — is fine.
Can I file CSCL/CD-700 on a weekend?
Yes. COFS accepts online filings 24/7, but the filing date for weekend submissions is recorded as the next business day LARA reviews them.
Will my corporation exist the moment I hit “submit” online?
No. Existence begins on LARA’s filing date, not on submission; for credit-card e-filings this is typically the same day, but Article VIII can delay it up to 90 days.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-2000 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-2700 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-500 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-502 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-541 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-731 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs