A corporation is a legal entity created through the laws of its state of incorporation.

Individual states have the power to promulgate laws relating to the creation, organization and dissolution of corporations.

Many states follow the Model Business Corporation Act.

State corporation laws require articles of incorporation to document the corporation's creation and to provide provisions regarding the management of internal affairs.

Most state corporation statutes also operate under the assumption that each corporation will adopt bylaws to define the rights and obligations of officers, persons and groups within its structure.

States also have registration laws requiring corporations that incorporate in other states to request permission to do in-state business.