Corporate document kits allow you to keep well-kept records. If you are incorporating your business, corporate kits allow you to easily organize your minutes, transfer ledger, stock certificates and bi-laws (or for a Limited Liability Company (LLC), operating agreements) by keeping these documents all in one place. If you, like many small business owners, want the legal and tax benefits of incorporation, you may want to consider purchasing corporate document kits.

These corporate business kits come in vinyl and leathered vinyl binders and cases with your company's name. A corporate seal sometimes accompanies corporate document kits and can be stored inside the binder or inside a carrying pouch. Multiple corporate kits are available as well. Sometimes software accompanying the corporate binder kit is also available.

As you determine which business kit you need, consider the following:

1. Is your corporate kit going to be stored in a file room or attractively displayed in an office?
2. How much room do you need in your corporate binder?
3. Do you want or need accompanying corporate software, which may allow you to print your own certificates?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

The most basic business kits consist of a binder with a couple of extras

The most basic business kits offer space to keep your incorporating documents organized. However, the most basic business kits are usually stored in file rooms and are usually not brought to a conference table or used when meeting with clients.

I recommend: BlumbergExcelsior, Inc. sells The Spartan, a one-inch binder with the company's name on the spine, a slipcase, minutes and bi-laws. Corpkit Legal Supplies sells a Thrift Combo, which consists of a 3" binder, stock transfer ledger or membership roll sheets, separation tabs and 10 certificates.

Comprehensive corporate kits and seals offer everything you need

Comprehensive corporate kits and seals include a corporate seal and extra forms. These corporate kits come in a variety of colors and binder covers, from vinyl to leathered vinyl.

I recommend: FastKit Corp. sells standard corporate kits in a variety of colors and includes a personalized binder and slipcase, a corporate seal, index tabs, 20 transfer certificates, and minutes or bi-laws or an operating agreement. corporateseal.com sells a comparable corporate kit for a similar price, and they advertise overnight shipping for next day delivery. If you prefer a post binder, Corporate Publishing Co., another corporate kit manufacturer, sells a post binder kit, among other models.

Consider purchasing corporate seal kits that come with software, or consider purchasing software

Corporate seal kits sometimes offer free software that allows you to print your own stock certificates and customize them.

I recommend: Attorneys Corporation Service, Inc. sells corporation kits with free, accompanying software, which will print certificates. They also sell corporation forms software for all 50 states. Mark's Corpex sells corporate kits, and, by visiting their website, you can print and personalize stock certificates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Shipping times can vary. Some corporate kit manufacturers offer expedited, overnight and next day delivery.