Incorporation documents are public records in Illinois and can be viewed by anyone. You may already have the original articles of incorporation from when you filed. However, a certified copy may be required when applying for a loan, opening a bank account, or providing proof of incorporation.
How to Get a Certified Copy
- Visit the Illinois Secretary of State website or contact them at (217) 524-8008. There is a charge for the document.
- To get a certified copy, contact the Illinois Secretary of State’s Department of Business Services.
- Go to their website and search the official database to find your company. Select the tab to identify your company type to begin your search.
You should keep a copy of your articles of incorporation to open bank accounts, apply for loans, or conduct other corporate business. Having a copy makes processes easier. If you lose your copy, you may need to file paperwork and pay a fee for a replacement.
Cost and Processing Time
The filing fee is $150 plus franchise tax and optional $100 expedite fee. Franchise tax is $1.50 per $1,000 of paid-in capital.
- Standard Processing: Articles of incorporation take about four weeks, plus mailing time. LLC filing time is between seven and ten days.
- Expedited Service: We can get certified copies within two days for $234 plus fees, depending on the number of pages.
Additionally, to file Articles of Incorporation, the Illinois Secretary of State charges a $150 filing fee plus franchise tax assessed at $1.50 per $1,000 of paid-in capital.
Additional Services and Fees
We can obtain Illinois Certified Copies within 10 days for $45 plus state fees.
The total cost depends on the number of pages to be certified.
The Illinois Secretary of State charges $150 to file the Articles of Organization. You can reserve your LLC name for $25.