What is the meaning of ‘Certificate of Incorporation’?

When the Registrar is satisfied with the formalities for registration, a Certificate of Incorporation is issued to the company, which signify the birth of the company. The certificate of incorporation may, therefore, be called the birth certificate of the company. The promoters make an application for the incorporation of the company. The application for registration must be accompanied by certain documents and submitted to the Registrar of office.

The application for registration must be accompanied by certain documents that are-

• The Memorandum of Association duly stamped, signed and witnessed. The signatories must also give information about their address, occupation and the number of shares subscribed by them.

• A copy of the Registrar’s letter approving the name of the company.

• A statutory declaration that all legal requirements for registration have been complied with. This must be duly signed.

• A notice about the exact address of the registered office may also be submitted along with these documents. However, if the same is not submitted at the time of incorporation, it can be submitted within 30 days of the receipt of the certificate of incorporation.

• Documentary evidence of payment of registration fees is to be provided.