How to Amend New York Certificate of Incorporation

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Starting a corporation in New York 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 New York requires filing the Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation. An amendment is a process through which you report the structural or any change in your corporation to the New York 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 New York Certificate of Incorporation in easy steps. It will be helpful for you if you read the article till the end.

On this page, you’ll learn about the following:

What is New York Certificate of Incorporation?
- Why Amend Certificate of Incorporation in New York?
How to Amend the New York Certificate of Incorporation
Penalties for Not Filing the Amendment in New York
FAQs

What is New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The New York Certificate of Incorporation is a legal document that you need to file with the Secretary of State while registering your corporation in New York. It is similar to the Articles of Organization you file while creating an LLC in New York. If you already own a corporation in New York, you must know what the Certificate of Incorporation is. However, those who are not aware of this document can get all the required details from this page. The Certificate 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 Certificate of Incorporation.

This document has information related to your corporation. Details like the name of the corp, principal address, New York Resident 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 New York 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 Certificate 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 Certificate of Incorporation in New York?

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 New York 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 New York Certificate of Incorporation

There are three main steps to file your amendment to the New York Certificate 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 New York Corporation

Updating your Certificate 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 Certificate of Incorporation reflects the current status of a corporation in New York. The key elements of your updated Certificate of Incorporation may include the advantages of being a Resident 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 Certificate of Incorporation

The subsequent step involves reviewing the changes. The New York 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 New York 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 New York Corporate Amendment form.

What Can Be Changed in Certificate of Incorporation

It is not easy to change things in your business. Besides, there are some restrictions in changing things in your corporation in New York. 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 Certificate of Incorporation.

What Can not Be Changed in New York Corporate Amendment?

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

Another point is the initial mailing address of your corporation cannot be changed in the New York 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 New York. The details of the initial directors cannot be changed in the New York Corporate Amendment. There is no other way to change the directors’ details.

Step 3: File the New York Corporate Amendment

Finally, file the New York 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 New York Corporate Amendment.

Penalties for Not Filing the Amendment in New York

Now, one question arises when we talk about filing the amendment what happens if you don’t amend the New York Certificate 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 New York Certificate of Incorporation.

FAQs

What is a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

A New York Certificate of Incorporation is a legal document that is filed with the New York Department of State to create a New York business corporation.

What is the process of amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The process of amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation is to prepare and file an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State.

What are the steps to amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The steps to amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation are to prepare the amendment document, calendar the effective date, and file it with the New York Department of State.

What information is required to amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The information required to amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation is the business name, the amendment text, the effective date, and the filing fee.

What are the common amendments to a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The common amendments to a New York Certificate of Incorporation include changing the number of authorized shares, changing the corporate name, changing the address of the business, and changing the purpose of the corporation.

How much does it cost to amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The cost to amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation is $60 plus an additional $15 if expedited service is desired.

Is it possible to make multiple amendments to a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes, it is possible to make multiple amendments to a New York Certificate of Incorporation.

How long does it take to amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The processing time for amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation is typically 3-7 days, depending on the type of amendment.

When is an amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation considered effective?

An amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation is considered effective on the date that the amendment is filed with the New York Department of State.

Does an amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation require the consent of shareholders?

Generally, amendments to a New York Certificate of Incorporation do not require the consent of shareholders, however, certain amendments such as changing the name or purpose of the corporation may require shareholder approval.

What documents are required to amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The documents required to amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation are an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, a cover letter, and a filing fee.

Is it required to publish an amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation in a newspaper?

No, it is not required to publish an amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation in a newspaper.

Is there a limit to the number of amendments that can be made to a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

No, there is not a limit to the number of amendments that can be made to a New York Certificate of Incorporation.

Is it necessary to file a New York Certificate of Incorporation before amending it?

Yes, it is necessary to file a New York Certificate of Incorporation before amending it.

Is it possible to make a correction to an amendment of a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes, it is possible to make a correction to an amendment of a New York Certificate of Incorporation. Corrections can be made by filing a Certificate of Correction with the New York Department of State.

What is the filing fee for amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The filing fee for amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation is $60 plus an additional $15 if expedited service is desired.

When is it necessary to change the name of a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

It is necessary to change the name of a New York Certificate of Incorporation when the current name is already in use or is not distinguishable from other existing business names.

What information must be included in an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation?

The information that must be included in an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation is the business name, the amendment text, the effective date, and the filing fee.

Are there any restrictions on the name chosen for a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes, there are restrictions on the name chosen for a New York Certificate of Incorporation. The name must be distinguishable from existing business names, cannot include certain words and phrases, and must comply with other rules as set forth by the New York Department of State.

How can I obtain a copy of an amended New York Certificate of Incorporation?

A copy of an amended New York Certificate of Incorporation can be obtained by filing a Certificate Retrieval Application with the New York Department of State.

What happens if an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation is not filed correctly?

If an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation is not filed correctly, it will be rejected by the New York Department of State and the filing fee will not be refunded.

Is it possible to make changes to the articles of incorporation of a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes, it is possible to make changes to the articles of incorporation of a New York Certificate of Incorporation by filing an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State.

Is it necessary to include additional information when amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

No, it is not necessary to include additional information when amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation.

How do I know if an amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation has been accepted?

You can check the status of an amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation by calling the New York Department of State or by accessing the online Corporate Document Retrieval System.

Can an amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation be rescinded?

Yes, an amendment to a New York Certificate of Incorporation can be rescinded by filing a Certificate of Rescission with the New York Department of State.

What is the process for changing the address of a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The process for changing the address of a New York Certificate of Incorporation is to file an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State.

Is it possible to change the number of authorized shares of a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes, it is possible to change the number of authorized shares of a New York Certificate of Incorporation by filing an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State.

Is there a fee for filing an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State?

Yes, there is a fee of $60 plus an additional $15 if expedited service is desired for filing an Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State.

What are the consequences of not amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The consequences of not amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation can include the inability to conduct corporate business, fines, and penalties imposed by the state or federal government.

How do I amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

A Certificate of Amendment of Incorporation must be filed with the New York Department of State in order to amend a New York Certificate of Incorporation.

What are the fees associated with amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

There is a $60 filing fee for amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation.

What is the turnaround time for amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

The turnaround time for amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation is typically 5-7 business days.

Are there any additional documents required for amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

Depending on the amendment, additional documents may be required to be filed along with the Certificate of Amendment of Incorporation.

Are there any restrictions on amending a New York Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes, certain amendments to a New York Certificate of Incorporation must be approved by the New York Attorney General’s Office before they can take effect.

Conclusion

Amending the New York Certificate 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.