What is Articles of Incorporation?

Articles of incorporation are the filing with the state that legally creates the HOA as a nonprofit corporation.

The articles are short — usually a few pages — and establish the association's legal name, its registered agent, its nonprofit purpose, and the basic structure of its board. They are filed with the secretary of state, not the county recorder.

Their practical importance is corporate: they are why the association can enter contracts, hold bank accounts, sue, be sued, and carry directors and officers insurance. If the corporate registration lapses, the association can lose the ability to enforce its own covenants until it is reinstated.

Filed with the state; must be kept in good standing with annual reports.
Establish the association as a nonprofit corporation, enabling contracts and insurance.
A lapsed registration can suspend the association's enforcement powers.

Related terms

Governing DocumentsGoverning documents are the full set of records that control an association: the declaration/CC&Rs, bylaws, articles of incorporation, plat, and board-adopted rules.BylawsBylaws are the association's internal operating manual — they govern how the board is elected, how meetings run, and how the corporation makes decisions.Board of DirectorsThe board of directors is the group of owners elected to govern the association, set the budget, enforce the documents, and hire vendors on behalf of all members.

Answers straight from your own documents

Melo tells residents what Articles of Incorporation means in your community — citing the exact page of your CC&Rs, budget, or rules.