How to Amend South Dakota Articles of Incorporation


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Amend South Dakota Articles of Incorporation

Starting a corporation in South Dakota is an exciting journey. But as your company grows, you may find it necessary to make changes to its structure and governance. Making any changes to your established corporation in South Dakota requires filing the Amendment of Articles of Incorporation. An amendment is a process through which you report the structural or any change in your corporation to the South Dakota Secretary of State. To do so, you require to follow a few simple steps. You need to get the amendment form, enter the details of changes, and submit it to the appropriate address with the filing fee will make things done.

In this article, we have shared the process in detail. You will learn how to amend South Dakota Articles of Incorporation in easy steps. It will be helpful for you if you read the article till the end.

What is South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?

The South Dakota Articles of Incorporation is a legal document that you need to file with the Secretary of State while registering your corporation in South Dakota. It is similar to the Articles of Organization you file while creating an LLC in South Dakota. If you already own a corporation in South Dakota, you must know what the Articles of Incorporation is. However, those who are not aware of this document can get all the required details from this page. The Articles of Incorporation is a set of papers that have all the information regarding your corporation and are filed with the Secretary of State. You must pay the filing fees to register your Articles of Incorporation.

This document has information related to your corporation. Details like the name of the corp, principal address, South Dakota Registered Agent details, corporation structure, directors, shareholders, and signature of the incorporators should be mentioned in the document. An online or offline form mentioning these details should be filed with the SOS at the time of forming your corporation. You must pay the filing fee to the state online or by check.

Like forming an LLC, for the corporation, it takes some time to form your business in South Dakota after filing the documents. You can expedite the filing process by paying additional money over the filing fees.

It is good to make changes in your Articles of Incorporation. When you change anything, specifcally the name, it brings good and bad effects to the company. Make sure the name change does not affect your revenue or status adversely.

LLCBuddy Editorial Team

Why Amend Articles of Incorporation in South Dakota?

There can be several reasons why you make changes to your corporation. A business runs based on diverse components. From economic conditions to internal structures (shareholders and directors), the corporation can change many times in its life based on external or internal reasons.

Change of South Dakota Corporation Name: The name of the corporation does not often change because it is the primary identity of any business. Sometimes, a spelling or the entire name requires to be changed for many reasons. In that case, the corporation has to file the amendment with the SOS mentioning the old and new names. They have to submit the business name change form with the amendment form.

Change of Statement of Purpose: This is a document where you explain the purpose of your corporation. The purpose says that you are involved in legal and lawful activities through your business. If you are having a nonprofit, you must have a community purpose. If you change that purpose, you must file the amendment. If you change the nature of the business or the purpose of the corporation overall, then you must file an amendment.

Change in Numbers of Stocks and Shares: Finally, if you change the number of shares or stock issues in your company, then you must amend it. It can be reduced or increased if you decide to remove or add a shareholder/partner to the corporation. In that case, it must be amended with the SOS.

How to Amend the South Dakota Articles of Incorporation

There are three main steps to file your amendment to the South Dakota Articles of Incorporation. Before you proceed with the steps of filing the form, you must know what changes you can make in your corporation and what changes you cannot. Let’s start with the first step and some related information,

Step 1: Determine What Changes You Need in South Dakota Corporation

Updating your Articles of Incorporation periodically can be beneficial by making necessary changes. However, frequent alterations in structure or name may not be advisable. The first step involves determining which changes are needed and assessing their potential impact. Modifying aspects of your existing business can affect your revenue or client relationships, so it’s crucial to carefully consider whether the changes are truly necessary and what consequences they may bring.

An up-to-date Articles of Incorporation reflects the current status of a corporation in South Dakota. The key elements of your updated Articles of Incorporation may include the advantages of being a Registered Agent, the company’s contact information, and the process for receiving legal notices, among other details.

Step 2: Review the Changes You Made in the Articles of Incorporation

The subsequent step involves reviewing the changes. The South Dakota Secretary of State may request additional supporting documents based on the modifications made to your corporation. After finalizing the changes, you can proceed to draft the South Dakota corporate amendment. Consult with the SOS to determine if any other documents need to be submitted. For instance, if you are changing the business name, you might be required to submit a name change/reservation form along with the South Dakota Corporate Amendment form.

What Can Be Changed in Articles of Incorporation

It is not easy to change things in your business. Besides, there are some restrictions in changing things in your corporation in South Dakota. There are things you can change, but there are things that you cannot change. I have mentioned a few points in this article that you can change above, such as the name, statement of purpose, and the number of shares issued. Now, there are things that you cannot change in the Articles of Incorporation.

What Can not Be Changed in South Dakota Corporate Amendment?

If you started a corporation in South Dakota, you must initially have appointed a Registered Agent. You cannot change the initial registered agent in the Articles of Incorporation Corporate Amendment. You can change it using other methods and forms available in the South Dakota SOS.

Another point is the initial mailing address of your corporation cannot be changed in the South Dakota Corporate Amendment. In this case, you can change it through other methods requiring different forms.

The third point is the initial directors who formed the corporation in South Dakota. The details of the initial directors cannot be changed in the South Dakota Corporate Amendment. There is no other way to change the directors’ details.

Step 3: File the South Dakota Corporate Amendment

Finally, file the South Dakota Corporate Amendment with the Secretary of State by the methods (online or offline) available. You must go through the filing process mentioned on the SOS official website before you start the filing process. You must pay the state fees for filing the South Dakota Corporate Amendment.

Penalties for Not Filing the Amendment in South Dakota

Now, one question arises when we talk about filing the amendment what happens if you don’t amend the South Dakota Articles of Incorporation? The answer is simple. You might have to pay heavy penalties if you do not file it. Besides, you may lose existing clients as they may not be interested in continuing to work with your company.

They might cancel the existing contract; you might lose the bank loan or advance opportunities, or you may lose the business bank accounts for not complying with the amendment filing requirements. Hence, it is highly recommended to amend the South Dakota Articles of Incorporation.

FAQs

How do I file an amendment to my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
To amend your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
What information do I need to provide to amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
Depending on the type of amendment you are making, you may need to provide information such as a new name for the corporation, the address of the registered office, the name and address of the registered agent, information about the board of directors or shareholders, or any other changes to the Articles of Incorporation.
What is the fee for amending my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
The fee for amending a South Dakota Articles of Incorporation is $10.
How long does it take to amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
The processing time for amending a South Dakota Articles of Incorporation varies, but generally takes between 2-10 business days.
How do I know if my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation have been amended?
Once your amendment has been processed, the South Dakota Secretary of State will send a Certificate of Amendment to the registered office of the corporation.
Can I make changes to my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation without amending them?
Yes, changes to the Articles of Incorporation can be made without filing an amendment. These changes can be made through resolutions passed by the board of directors.
Can I change the name of my South Dakota corporation through an amendment?
Yes, you can change the name of your South Dakota corporation through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
Do I need to publish notice of my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation amendment?
No, you are not required to publish notice of your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation amendment.
Can I make changes to the registered office address or registered agent of my South Dakota corporation through an amendment?
Yes, changes to the registered office address and/or registered agent of your South Dakota corporation can be made through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the number of authorized shares of my corporation?
To amend the number of authorized shares of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate purpose?
To amend the corporate purpose of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the name, address, or term of any board member or director?
To amend the name, address, or term of any board member or director of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Can I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add or delete corporate powers?
Yes, you can amend your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add or delete corporate powers.
Can I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add or change any restrictions or limitations on the corporation’s activities?
Yes, you can amend your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add or change any restrictions or limitations on the corporation’s activities.
Can I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add or change any restrictions or limitations on the issue or transfer of corporate shares?
Yes, you can amend your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add or change any restrictions or limitations on the issue or transfer of corporate shares.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to list additional corporate officers?
To add additional corporate officers to your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the number of directors?
To amend the number of directors of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the fiscal year?
To amend the fiscal year of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Can I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to remove any existing provisions?
Yes, you can amend your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to remove any existing provisions.
Can I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the duration of the corporation?
Yes, you can amend your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the duration of the corporation.
Can I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add additional provisions?
Yes, you can amend your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add additional provisions.
Can I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate structure?
Yes, you can amend your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate structure.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the corporation?
To change the name of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the registered office address or registered agent?
To change the registered office address or registered agent of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate bylaws?
To amend the corporate bylaws of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to change the voting rights of the shareholders?
To amend the voting rights of the shareholders of your South Dakota corporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add or change any indemnification provisions?
To add or change any indemnification provisions in your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
How do I amend my South Dakota Articles of Incorporation to add or change any provisions related to mergers or consolidations?
To add or change any provisions related to mergers or consolidations in your South Dakota Articles of Incorporation, you must submit a completed Certificate of Amendment form to the South Dakota Secretary of State.
What is required to amend South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
To amend an Articles of Incorporation in South Dakota, the corporation must file an amendment with the South Dakota Secretary of State and pay a filing fee.
What information can be amended in South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
South Dakota Articles of Incorporation can be amended to add or change the corporate name, address, purpose, number and type of shares, par value of shares, and other provisions as needed.
How long does it take to amend South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
Depending on the method of submission, it usually takes 2-3 weeks for the amendment to be processed and approved by the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Is it necessary to obtain shareholder approval to amend South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
Yes, it is necessary to obtain shareholder approval to amend South Dakota Articles of Incorporation, unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Incorporation.
What fees are associated with amending South Dakota Articles of Incorporation?
The filing fee for amending South Dakota Articles of Incorporation is $63.
Can South Dakota Articles of Incorporation be amended online?
Yes, South Dakota Articles of Incorporation can be amended online through the Secretary of State’s website.

Also Read

Why South Dakota Corp Amendment is So Important

One of the key reasons why the South Dakota Corp Amendment is so important is its ability to offer businesses a more attractive environment in which to operate. By deregulating certain aspects of corporate governance, this amendment simplifies the regulatory framework for businesses, making it easier for them to comply with rules and regulations. This, in turn, fosters a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive and expand, creating more opportunities for growth and success.

Moreover, the South Dakota Corp Amendment streamlines the corporate governance process, making it more efficient and effective for businesses. By reducing administrative burden and eliminating unnecessary red tape, businesses are able to focus more on their core operations and strategic goals. This increased efficiency not only benefits businesses but also contributes to the overall business climate in South Dakota, attracting new companies and investments to the state.

In addition to enhancing the business environment, the South Dakota Corp Amendment also plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth. By creating a more business-friendly environment and streamlining corporate governance processes, this amendment paves the way for increased innovation, job creation, and investment in the state. As businesses thrive and expand, they contribute to the overall economic prosperity of South Dakota, benefiting the local community and economy as a whole.

Furthermore, the South Dakota Corp Amendment has the potential to attract businesses from out-of-state to establish operations in South Dakota. With its favorable business climate and simplified regulatory framework, South Dakota becomes an attractive destination for companies looking to expand or relocate. This influx of businesses not only boosts the state’s economy but also creates new job opportunities, driving further growth and development in the region.

Overall, the South Dakota Corp Amendment is a critical piece of legislation that has a profound impact on the state’s business environment and economic growth. By creating a more business-friendly environment, streamlining corporate governance processes, and attracting new businesses to the state, this amendment plays a crucial role in shaping the corporate landscape of South Dakota. As businesses thrive and expand in this conducive environment, the state stands to benefit from increased job opportunities, investment, and economic prosperity. In conclusion, the South Dakota Corp Amendment is not just important; it is essential for the continued growth and success of businesses in the state.

Conclusion

Amending the South Dakota Articles of Incorporation may not involve numerous steps, but the process can be more complex than it appears. It’s crucial to carefully consider any changes to ensure they do not negatively impact your business or client relationships. Before proceeding with modifications and amendments, it is advisable to consult with an attorney or legal professional for guidance.

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