Documents You Should Keep

You should always have these documents at the ready.

Articles or Certificate of Incorporation as filed with the state of organization
Bylaws
Qualification(s) to Do Business in Jurisdiction(s) other than the state of organization, if any
Shareholders’ Agreement or Investor Rights Agreement (if any), fully executed
Stock register showing all stock issuances and transfers
Blank Stock Certificates (numbered sequentially) in the form approved by the Board of Directors
Corporate minute book recording proceedings of the Board of Directors and shareholders of the corporation, including corporate minutes (or executed Action by Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors or Incorporator in lieu of meeting) electing officers and minutes of shareholders’ meeting (or executed Action by Unanimous Written Consent of the Shareholders) electing director(s) and approving significant corporate transactions
Copy of IRS Form SS-4 (to request federal employer identification number) and IRS response
Copies of Annual Reports filed in state of organization (and other jurisdictions in which organized to do business)

Certificate of Formation or Organization as filed with the state of organization
Limited Liability Company Agreement (aka Operating Agreement) fully executed, with all amendments
Qualification(s) to Do Business in Jurisdiction(s) other than the state of organization (if any)
Copies of Annual Reports filed in state of organization (and other jurisdictions in which organized to do business)

Certificate of Limited Partnership as filed with the state of organization
Limited Partnership Agreement, fully executed (with all amendments)
Qualification(s) to do business in jurisdiction(s) other than the state of organization (if any)
Register of partners and partnership interests
Copies of Annual Reports filed in state of organization (and other jurisdictions in which organized to do business)

Patent, trademark, and other intellectual property applications and registrations
- Dates that you first conceive of an invention and reduce that to practice
- Dates that you first share an invention to another outside of the company
- Dates and documents showing the first use of any trademark or service mark (i.e. a first brochure, date the website goes live, etc.)
Non-Disclosure Agreement
Assignment of Inventions Agreement (for employees)
Work for Hire Agreement (third party)

Private Placement Memorandum (if any)
Pitch book or marketing materials
Subscription documents, fully executed or Securities Purchase Agreement, fully executed
Copies of issued stock certificates (if a corporation)
Copies of Convertible notes (if any)
Copies of Warrants (if any)