New Hampshire Corporation Filing Tips
Filing a New Hampshire corporation is usually straightforward, but small technical mistakes can cause delays or rejection. We’ve compiled some tips below to help you avoid rejection and make sure your Articles of Incorporation are accepted the first time.
Tip 1: Use Black Ink and Legible Text
New Hampshire may reject filings that are difficult to read, whether due to pencil, erasable ink, or handwritten corrections. If filing on paper, always use black, permanent ink and make sure all text is clear and readable.
Tip 2: Print One-Sided
The state appreciates your desire to minimize your carbon footprint by using both sides of your printer paper. However, they will still reject your application. Make sure all filings are one-sided only.
Tip 3: Make Sure Your Business Name Is Distinguishable—Not Just “Available”
A name can still be rejected if it’s too similar to an existing New Hampshire business, even if it’s available. Minor differences like punctuation, spacing, or pluralization may not be enough to distinguish your name.
Tip 4: Keep the Share Section Complete and Unambiguous
Filings are commonly rejected when the authorized shares section is:
- Left blank
- Inconsistent with attached addenda
- Worded unclearly
If the state can’t easily determine the number of authorized shares, they may reject the filing for clarification.
Tip 5: Confirm Your Registered Agent Is Eligible
You must appoint a New Hampshire resident (over 18 years old), LLC, or corporation available during business hours to act as your registered agent.
Tip 6: Don’t Use a PO Box or “Care Of” Address for the Registered Agent
Using a PO Box, or “c/o” designation instead of a physical New Hampshire street address will result in rejection. The address must be a location where legal documents can be personally delivered.
Tip 7: Include the Following Compliance Statement:
The sales or offer for sale of any ownership interests in this business will comply with the requirements of the New Hampshire Uniform Securities Act (RSA 421-B).
If the above statement is not in your Articles of Incorporation, they will be rejected.
Tip 8: Watch for Inconsistent Incorporators Details
Common rejection issues include:
- Address formats that don’t match across documents
- Incorporator names that differ slightly between pages
- One or more incorporators failing to sign
All incorporator information should be complete, consistent, and signed wherever required.
Tip 9: Match the Filing Fee to Your Submission Method
Filing rejections commonly occur due to incorrect payment. This includes forgetting to add the electronic filing fee when submitting online, using an unsupported payment method, or submitting a check for the wrong amount. Before filing, confirm that the total fee and payment method match the state’s requirements for your chosen submission method.