How to Amend Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin (2025)


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
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Amend Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation

Amending the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin is required if you make any changes to your formed corporation. An amendment is a process through which you report the structural or any change in your corporation to the Wisconsin Secretary of State. To do so, you are required to follow a few simple steps. You need to get the amendment form, enter the details of the changes, and submit it to the appropriate address along with the amendment fee.

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

What is the Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation?

The Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation is a legal document that you need to file with the Secretary of State while registering your corporation in Wisconsin. It is similar to the Articles of Organization you file while creating an LLC in Wisconsin. If you already own a corporation in Wisconsin, 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, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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

How to Amend the Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation

There are three main steps to file your amendment to the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Corporation

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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 Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin Corporate Amendment?

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If you started a corporation in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin SOS. 

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

Step 3: File the Wisconsin Corporate Amendment

Finally, file the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Corporate Amendment. 

If you are in Wisconsin and have formed an LLC, you must file the Articles of Amendment in Wisconsin with the SOS if you make any changes to the limited liability company.

Why Amend Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?

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.

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Change of Wisconsin 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.

Penalties for Not Filing the Amendment in Wisconsin

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

FAQs

How do I amend Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation?
To amend Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation, a corporation must file Articles of Amendment with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Can any provision of the Articles of Incorporation be amended in Wisconsin?
Yes, any provision of the Articles of Incorporation can be amended in Wisconsin as long as new provisions comply with state law.
What information is required to be included in the Articles of Amendment in Wisconsin?
The Articles of Amendment in Wisconsin must include the name of the corporation, the original filing date, the exact statement to be amended, and the new language of the amendment.
Do I need to notify the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions before submitting the amendment?
No, there is no requirement to notify the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions before submitting the amendment.
Can amendments to the Articles of Incorporation be filed online in Wisconsin?
Yes, amendments to the Articles of Incorporation can be filed online through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions’ website.
Is there a fee for amending Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Yes, there is a filing fee for amending Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin.
What is the processing time for amending Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Typically, it takes 5-7 business days for the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions to process the amendment.
Can the amendments made to Articles of Incorporation be repealed in Wisconsin?
Yes, amendments made to Articles of Incorporation can be repealed in Wisconsin through a similar filing process.
Will an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation affect the corporation’s EIN in Wisconsin?
No, an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation will not affect the corporation’s EIN in Wisconsin.
Are there any restrictions on the type of amendments that can be made to Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Yes, amendments cannot violate Wisconsin state law or the corporation’s internal bylaws.
Can shareholders or board members of the corporation oppose the amendments to Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Shareholders or board members may have certain rights to object to amendments to Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin, depending on the bylaws of the corporation.
What happens if the proposed amendments to Articles of Incorporation are rejected by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions?
If the proposed amendments to Articles of Incorporation are rejected, the corporation will be notified of the reasons for rejection and may have the opportunity to resubmit the amendments with the necessary changes.
Can a corporation in Wisconsin make multiple amendments to its Articles of Incorporation at once?
Yes, a corporation in Wisconsin can make multiple amendments to its Articles of Incorporation at once by including all desired changes in a single filing.
Can the purpose of the corporation be changed through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Yes, the purpose of the corporation can be changed through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin.
Is it mandatory to publish the amended Articles of Incorporation in a newspaper in Wisconsin?
No, it is not mandatory to publish the amended Articles of Incorporation in a newspaper in Wisconsin.
If the corporation operates in multiple states, can the Articles of Incorporation be amended separately in each state including Wisconsin?
Yes, if a corporation operates in multiple states, the Articles of Incorporation can be amended separately in each state, including Wisconsin.
Can an attorney help with the process of amending Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Yes, an attorney well-versed in Wisconsin corporate law can provide valuable assistance in the process of amending Articles of Incorporation.
What is the statute that governs the amendment of Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
The statute that governs the amendment of Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin is Wisconsin Statute Section 180.2.
Are there any restrictions on the timing of when Articles of Incorporation can be amended in Wisconsin?
there are no restrictions on the timing of when Articles of Incorporation can be amended in Wisconsin, as long as the corporation is in good standing with the state.
Can the corporation’s registered agent file the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Yes, the corporation’s registered agent can file the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin on behalf of the corporation.
Can amendments to the Articles of Incorporation be made retroactive in Wisconsin?
Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation cannot be made retroactively in Wisconsin; they take effect on the filing date.
Are there any particular formatting requirements for the Articles of Amendment in Wisconsin?
Yes, the Articles of Amendment in Wisconsin must be typed or printed and submitted in duplicate with the required filing fee.
How can I obtain a copy of the current Articles of Incorporation for reference when amending in Wisconsin?
A copy of the current Articles of Incorporation can be obtained by requesting one from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Is corporate law the same in all states, including Wisconsin?
No, corporate law varies by state, so it is important to understand the specific requirements for amending Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin.
Can a corporation be dissolved through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Yes, under certain circumstances, a corporation can be dissolved through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin.
Can amendments to the Articles of Incorporation impact the corporation’s tax status in Wisconsin?
Yes, amendments to the Articles of Incorporation could potentially impact the corporation’s tax status in Wisconsin, so consultation with a tax professional is recommended.
Can the name of the corporation be changed through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Yes, the name of the corporation can be changed through an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin.
Are there any annual compliance requirements related to the Articles of Incorporation in Wisconsin?
Yes, corporations in Wisconsin must maintain compliance with Articles of Incorporation and file annual reports with the state Department of Financial Institutions.
Can an amendment to the articles of incorporation in Wisconsin involve changing the corporation’s governance structure?
Yes, an amendment to the articles of incorporation in Wisconsin could involve changing the corporation’s governance structure, such as the number of directors or composition of the board.
How do I amend my Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation?
You can amend your Wisconsin Articles of Incorporation by filing Articles of Amendment with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

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In Conclusion

Amending the Wisconsin 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.

Due to the complicated structure, forming a corporation in Wisconsin might be difficult. However, after forming the corporation, managing it seems to be more difficult for many people. A frequent change may or may not occur. But, every time you make a change, you must file the amendment with Wisconsin SOS. It is also suggested that you do not make changes frequently as it may affect your brand in a reverse way.

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