Converting an existing sole proprietorship or partnership to a corporation entails using your current business information (business name, address, partner names) and transferring that information to the required Articles of Incorporation that must be filed in order to form your new business entity.  Once the Articles are filed and approved, your new corporation is valid.  Other documents regarding the dissolution of your previous business formation may be required, depending on the state in which you are filing for corporate status.

You may choose to set up your corporation in any state in the U.S.  However, you must have physical offices in your chosen state—a post office box only will not suffice.  You must also designate a qualified registered agent (see question 8) who acts on behalf of your corporation and who also maintains a physical presence in that state.  LegalCPU can file your Articles of Incorporation in any state in the union.  The basic fee for incorporation is $148.00  Other optional selections and additional required filings are also available at varying fees.   Please check all menu choices that apply as to any additional incorporation features you would like.  Your total number of selections will determine your total incorporation cost.

The corporate name you desire may not always be available. If another business has filed for the exact name, but that entity filed before you, in most states you will not be allowed to use the name unless you secure written permission by the other entity and it is determined that the duplicate name will not mislead the public.  In other states, duplicate usage may be allowed, depending on business type or location.  Remember, in California and many other states, you must use the word "incorporated," "corporation" or the abbreviation thereof—Inc. or Corp.