Business incorporation records document the legal formation of companies and partnerships. These records can reveal occupations, financial activity, associates, and community standing, and often include specialized legal and business terminology.
| Term | Definition |
| Articles of Incorporation | Legal document establishing a corporation. |
| Assets | Property or resources owned by business. |
| Board of Directors | Group managing corporate decisions. |
| Bylaws | Rules governing operation of corporation. |
| Capital | Funds invested in business. |
| Charter | Official authorization to operate as corporation. |
| Corporation | Legal entity separate from its owners. |
| Director | Person responsible for corporate governance. |
| Dissolution | Legal termination of corporation. |
| Dividend | Distribution of profits to shareholders. |
| Incorporator | Person filing to create corporation. |
| Incorporation | Legal process of forming a corporation. |
| Liability | Legal responsibility for debts or obligations. |
| Limited Liability | Protection of personal assets from business debts. |
| Minutes | Official record of corporate meetings. |
| Officer | Individual holding executive position in corporation. |
| Partnership | Business owned by two or more individuals. |
| Registered Agent | Person authorized to receive legal documents. |
| Shareholder | Owner of shares in corporation. |
| Stock | Ownership units in corporation. |
| Stock Certificate | Document proving ownership of shares. |
| Subscription | Agreement to purchase shares. |
| Treasurer | Officer responsible for financial management. |
| Secretary | Officer maintaining corporate records. |
| Franchise | Right granted to operate business under specific terms. |
| Trade Name | Name under which business operates. |
| License | Authorization to conduct business. |
| Filing | Submission of documents to government office. |
| Corporate Seal | Official stamp of corporation. |
| Annual Report | Yearly filing detailing business status. |
| Quorum | Minimum number required for official decisions. |
| Amendment | Change to corporate documents. |
| Articles of Amendment | Filing updating incorporation details. |
| Certificate of Good Standing | Proof business complies with regulations. |
| Authorized Shares | Maximum number of shares corporation may issue. |
| Issued Shares | Shares actually distributed to owners. |
| Capital Stock | Total shares representing ownership. |
| Incorporation Date | Date corporation legally formed. |
| Principal Office | Main location of business operations. |
If you use Quicksheets often, the Quicksheet Vault puts 390+ of them in one organized place — clean, printable, and easy to reuse whenever you need them. Whether you keep digital references handy or build your own genealogy binder, the Vault makes research simpler. Learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE