It is easy to form a Limited Nonprofit Corporation in the Fast Track Filing system. Follow the steps below to see how it’s done.
Step One:
First, go to https://filings.sos.iowa.gov/.
You will need an account to file anything on Fast Track Filing (excluding Biennial Reports). To learn how to create an account, click here. Once you are logged in, you will see a “Home” screen that displays the Fast Track Filing Communication Center. At the top of the page, there will be a navigation menu—click on “Business Filings”.
Step Two:
A drop-down menu will appear. Click on “File A Document”.
Step Three:
In the “New Entities” menu, click on the “Form an Iowa nonprofit” link. You can also read Iowa Chapter Code 504.202 for more information about forming a nonprofit in Iowa.
Step Four:
From here, you will be redirected to the “Certificate of Organization” page. On this first section, you will need to fill out the following:
- The chapter (CODE 504 REVISED DOMESTIC NON-PROFIT)
- A name for your corporation (see Chapter Code 504A.6 for more information)
- An effective date and time (When you want your corporation to officially start)
- An expiration date (Click “Perpetual” if you do not want an expiration date)
- If there are members (Yes or No)
- What the distribution of assets will be upon dissolution
Step Five:
Next, you will need to upload an Articles of Incorporation in PDF format.
Lastly, check Yes or No to the question “Does the corporation hold an interest in agricultural land in Iowa?”
Step Six:
You will also need to type in your Registered Agent and Office.
When you form a nonprofit, you need to have a registered agent. A nonprofit registered agent is an individual or entity which has been designated to receive service of process notices, government correspondence and compliance-related documents on behalf of the nonprofit.
Step Seven:
Next, you will need to fill out the “Incorporator” section.
An incorporator is someone who signs the articles of incorporation which create a legally recognized corporation. Incorporators can be someone from the business or they can be someone hired to complete the incorporation, such as an attorney. In this case, the incorporator is you.
Step Eight:
Next, fill out the “Principal Office” section. Your principal office is the primary location where your business will be performed.
Step Nine:
Now you will need to fill out information in the “Officers & Directors” section.
Corporate officers are high-level management executives hired by the business's owner or board of directors.
Examples of corporate officers are: Treasurer and Director.
In this case, choose between Treasurer and Director. Then provide their name and address. You may add more than one officer by selecting the “Add another Officer” link or selecting the + sign next to it.
Step Ten:
You will now need to sign an online signature stating that the above information is correct. You can also add another signature if needed.
Step Eleven:
After you have filled out all required forms, select “Review and Pay”. You will now be given the option to review your filing, as well as add payment information. Please make sure that there are no errors in your Article of Incorporation.
Step Twelve:
Congratulations! Your filing has been successfully submitted. The submission will be reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office, and you will be notified by email when the filing is complete.
Once the submission is complete, you will be able to see your filing in your Dashboard. To access your Dashboard:
- Visit Fast Track Filing (iowa.gov)
- Sign in with your Username and Password
- Go to “Business Filings” and then “Dashboard”
You will see a category named “Approved Filings”, and your Articles of Incorporation will be listed there. You can now print your certificate, view/print your receipt of payment, and view the Acknowledgement of Document Filed from the Secretary of State.