Glossary of Corporate Terms

If you're getting ready to launch a new business, chances are you know your product or service and your market like the back of your hand. But the mechanics of forming a business entity-knowing the terminology-may be more difficult to understand.

To help you sort through the terminology, Harvard Business Services, Inc. has included a comprehensive glossary to help guide you. To use the glossary, match the first letter of the term you want to look up with the alphabet list below, and click on that letter.

Of course, our team of business formation professionals is standing by to help you make informed decisions if you need more information

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An entity appointed by the company to receive and forward service of process and franchise tax reports to the client. This appointment is required by statute.

The address wherein the Registered Agent will receive and forward documents on behalf of the client. Does not need to be, and usually is not, the Principal Place of Business.

The act of reinstating a Void or Forfeited company by paying all back taxes and penalties, and appointing a Registered Agent going forward.

The act of filing formal documents to renew an inoperative or forfeited charter.

A document that memorializes the decisions made and actions authorized by a board of directors or the shareholders, or the members of an LLC.

Official document issued by the Secretary of State that allows a Corporation to restate its Certificate of Incorporation to reflect all amendments that had been filed in the past. With so many amendments having been filed, it can be quite difficult to understand the present status of the Charter. This filing makes it easier to understand.

Same as “Renewal.”

The official act of revoking a voluntary dissolution so as to allow the entity to continue to conduct business as that entity.

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