§ 209 Corporate Articles Evidence Rule

Corporations Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that if you have a certified copy of a company's formation papers from the government, it proves the company exists and was properly created.

Key Takeaways

•A certified copy of a company's formation papers is proof the company exists.
•This proof is accepted in court unless someone is challenging the company's right to exist.
•You can get these certified papers from the Secretary of State.

Example

You want to sue a company for selling you a broken product.

If you have the company's official papers certified by the government, you can use them to show the company is real and legally formed.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 209 Corporate Articles Evidence Rule

For all purposes other than an action in the nature of quo warranto, a copy of the articles of a corporation duly certified by the Secretary of State is conclusive evidence of the formation of the corporation and prima facie evidence of its corporate existence. (Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 682.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

articles of a corporation Secretary of State conclusive evidence prima facie evidence corporate existence quo warranto

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 209.

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Key Takeaways

Example

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Related Statutes

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