Name

Prior to preparing the Wisconsin articles of incorporation, you need to ensure the company's name is available for use. The name listed in the articles cannot have a similarity to an existing business registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. You can confirm name availability online using the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website. The legal name of the company cannot contain words such as "insurance" or words that imply an affiliation with a government agency, unless the business is in fact an insurance agency or government entity. The name of the business must contain words such as "limited," "corporation" or "incorporated."

Registered Agent

The articles must contain the name and address of the company's registered agent. The registered agent can be a business registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions or a person age 18 or over. A Wisconsin registered agent must maintain a physical address in the state. Registered agents of a Wisconsin corporation cannot use a post office box address in the articles of incorporation. The registered agent address indicates where the company's official business documents are to be delivered. A Wisconsin corporation can serve as its own registered agent, as long as the company has a physical office in the state of Wisconsin.

Other Provisions

Wisconsin articles of incorporation must state the number of shares the company has the authority to issue to potential investors. The purpose for beginning the business must appear in the articles and the duration of the company's existence. The articles must contain the name and address of the company's incorporators. An incorporator has the responsibility of organizing the Wisconsin corporation and filing the articles with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The articles of incorporation may include other provisions such as the minimum stock price per share and the powers given to the directors of the business.

Filing

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website allows prospective corporations to file their articles of incorporation online. In addition, the department accepts articles of incorporation by mail or in person. You can submit documents in the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions office from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As of 2011, it costs $100 to file articles of incorporation.