How to File the Articles of Incorporation for a Nevada Nonprofit


Filing the Articles of Incorporation is a critical step in starting a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit in Nevada. Whether you have been running a charity for a while or are just starting out, your nonprofit organization will need to fill out the Articles of Incorporation and file them with the State of Nevada. This will allow you to file for 501(c)(3) status and reap the benefits of having an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Want to form a nonprofit elsewhere? Check out our other How to Start a Nonprofit guides.

Don't have time? Use a trusted professional service:

four point eight out of five stars Northwest (Starting at $29 + State Fees).

Person submitting paperwork.

Starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Nevada is easy, just follow these easy steps to file the Nevada Articles of Incorporation:

If you are starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Nevada, you have come to the right place. After reading the comprehensive guide for Nevada nonprofit formation, follow this guide to file the Nevada Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.

What is covered in this guide:

  1. Information you will need to file the Nevada Articles of Incorporation
  2. How to file the Nevada Articles of Incorporation
  3. Nevada Nonprofit Formation FAQ

Information you will need to file the Nevada Articles of Incorporation

To become a nonprofit corporation in Nevada you must file the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.

Here are the sections that you will need to complete.

Section 1: Name of Entity

Enter the name you have selected.

For help with selecting a name for your nonprofit read our comprehensive guide on how to name a Nevada nonprofit.

Section 2: Registered Agent and Registered Office

The registered agent can be any entity registered to do business in Nevada or any person who is a resident of the state. Your organization cannot act as its own registered agent.

Enter the information of the registered agent you have selected and have your registered agent sign the Registered Agent Acceptance form.

For more information read our guide: What is a registered agent? and The Nevada Registered Agent Guide.

Section 3: Directors

Enter the names and addresses of the directors selected.

Section 4: Purpose

Describe the purpose of your nonprofit organization.

In order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, the organization’s purpose must explicitly be limited to one or more of the following:

  • Charitable
  • Religious
  • Scientific
  • Literary
  • Testing for public safety
  • Fostering national/international amateur sports competition
  • Preventing cruelty to animals/children

NOTE: You can read the IRS guidelines to learn more.

Section 5: Incorporators

An incorporator is the person who completes, signs, and submits the certification of formation. This person does not need to be a part of your organization. This can be you or a lawyer helping you with the process of formation.

Section 6: Registered Agent Signature

Your selected registered agent should complete and sign this section. If the registered agent is unable to sign the Articles of Incorporation, you can submit a separate Registered Agent Acceptance Form.

Section 7: Supplemental Provisions/Information

Attach a separate sheet to the Articles of Incorporation to formally state what the assets of the organization will be used for, and what will happen to the assets if the organization is dissolved.

To be eligible for 501(c)(3) status, you must convince the IRS that the organization’s assets will always only be used for the purposes approved under 501(c)(3) rules. To this end, you must include provisions ensuring that in the event your organization is dissolved, the assets of the organization will be used towards tax-exempt purposes.

Section 5 of this sample document provides an example of these provisions required for 501(c)(3) eligibility.

Initial List and State Business License Application

When you file your Articles of Incorporation, you will also need to submit an Initial List of Officers and Directors as well as a State Business License Application. You will need the following information:

  • Nonprofit name and business structure
  • Nonprofit business license status
    • Nonprofits filing as a 501(c) are exempt from the state business license fee and should check that they are a "religious, charitable, fraternal, or other organization that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization"
    • Nonprofits that intend to solicit charitable or tax-deductible donations must select the appropriate box in the fourth section
  • Names and addresses of officers or directors
  • Signature of authorized officer, director, or another official individual

How to file the Nevada Articles of Incorporation

You can submit the Articles of Incorporation as well as the included Initial List of Officers and Directors and State Business License Application in one of five ways: 

Online:

Create a Nevada SilverFlume account and file the Articles of Incorporation and the Initial List of Officers/Directors.

Mail or In Person:

Submit the Articles of Incorporation and the Initial List of Officers/Directors to the address below:

Secretary of State
Commercial Recordings Division
202 N. Carson St.
Carson City, NV 89701-4201

Fax:

Submit the Articles of Incorporation and the Initial List of Officers/Directors to (775) 684-5725.

Email:

Submit the Articles of Incorporation and the Initial List of Officers/Directors to newfilings@sos.nv.gov.

The filing fee is $50 for the Articles of Incorporation and $50 for the Initial List of Officers/Directors.

  • Checks must be made payable to the "Secretary of State"
  • Forms may be paid by credit card using the attached ePayment Checklist
  • Accepted credit cards include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express

Nevada Nonprofit Formation FAQ

How long does it take to process the Articles of Incorporation?

Processing typically takes around one week. This can be shortened to ~1 business day for an additional $125 expedite fee.

How do I contact the Secretary of State for more information?

You can call for information at (775) 684-5708 or visit them at their website.