Articles of incorporation vs articles of organization
When a bank asks for "articles of incorporation," they usually mean your formation certificate — the state document that proves your company legally exists. For an LLC, that document is not called articles of incorporation.
LLCs use Articles of Organization
LLCs are organized, not incorporated. The equivalent state filing is:
- Delaware / Wyoming — Certificate of Formation (sometimes called Articles of Organization)
- Filed with the Secretary of State when the LLC is created
On OtoCo, download your Certificate of Formation from the Files & Templates tab. For Series LLCs, it is also available at https://compliance.otoco.io.
Corporations use Articles of Incorporation
Articles of Incorporation apply to corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps), not LLCs. OtoCo forms LLCs and associations — not C-Corps. If a bank form has a dropdown for entity type, select LLC and upload your Certificate of Formation.
What to upload when the bank says "articles of incorporation"
- Upload your Certificate of Formation (Standalone or Series)
- Add your Operating Agreement
- Add your EIN letter if you have one
- In the notes field, write: "LLC — Certificate of Formation attached (LLCs do not have articles of incorporation)."
Many banks accept the Operating Agreement alongside the Certificate of Formation as proof of ownership and management structure.