The instrument by which a private corporation is formed, under general statutes, executed by several persons as incorporators. and setting forth the name of the proposed corporation , the objects for which it is formed, and such other particulars as may be required or authorized by law. and filed in some designated public office as evidence of the corporate existence. This is properly distinguished from a “charter,” which is a direct legislative grant of corporate existence and powers to named individuals; but practically the certificate of incorporation or ” articles of incorporation ” will contain the same enumeration of corporate powers and description of objects and purposes as a charter.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
