ZenBusiness reviews its own products and services and compares them to others in the industry.
Compare the best corporate bylaws services as reviewed by ZenBusiness, or start your dream business today.
scroll for more
Ready to Incorporate? Starts at $0 + state fees and only takes 5-10 mins
Last Updated: July 30, 2025
In many states, corporations are required to create company bylaws. But even if your state doesn’t require corporate bylaws, it’s still vitally important to create them — this document can help prevent ownership disputes and other issues across the lifespan of your business.
Unfortunately, creating corporate bylaws can be a hassle. And when you do create them, you might feel a lot of pressure to get them just right; after all, it’s an important legal document that will affect your business for years to come. That’s why hiring a corporate bylaws service can be beneficial to get help with this crucial document.
Many of the same companies that offer reputable online business incorporation services will also help you create your corporate bylaws. But how do you decide which service to use?
In this article, we’ll compare the best corporate bylaw services and templates so you can tackle this business management task as smoothly as possible. Whether you want someone to create bylaws on your behalf or you want to use a customizable template, you can find a good service option here.
Company bylaws (also called corporate bylaws) are a large document that outlines how a corporation operates; they’re like a rulebook for your business. This document governs both the day-to-day operations and the big-picture decisions your company will make.
For example, your corporation’s bylaws will dictate the roles and responsibilities of your officers, such as your chief financial officer, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and more. These bylaws will also dictate how your board of directors is appointed, how board meetings are held, shareholder rights, and more.
Strictly speaking, you’ll have to check with your state corporation laws to know whether or not you’re explicitly required to draft bylaws and include them in your corporate records. Most states require them, but some don’t. And typically, you don’t file these bylaws with the state (they don’t become part of the public record). But if your state requires bylaws, you must draft them and keep them handy for reference.
But from a practical standpoint, a corporation should have corporate bylaws even if the state doesn’t explicitly require them. Drafting and adhering to them has many benefits.
Need help crafting them? Here are some of the best corporate bylaws services.
If you want to create your bylaws quickly, our corporate bylaws service has your back. Our customizable template provides the framework you need to get started creating your rules and structure without the guesswork. You can even customize the template to meet your corporation’s unique needs. Then, download and print the form so you can have all of your stakeholders sign it to make things official.
Our bylaws service is available as a standalone service for $99. But if you’re starting a business, you can get the bylaws service included with our Pro and Premium formation plans ($199 and $299 a year, respectively). As a Pro or Premium customer, you’ll get free access to our bylaws template, our fastest processing fees to file your Articles of Incorporation, business compliance help, an EIN, and more.
Pros
Cons
If affordability is your priority but you still want to set a good foundation with company bylaws, Swyft Filings can be a budget-conscious choice. You’ll answer some questions about your business, and then the Swyft team uses their template to create bylaws on your behalf. Their bylaws service is a standalone product, priced at $35.
Formerly called Incfile, Bizee is another solid option for someone who’s looking to create a corporation and its bylaws at the same time. To get your corporate bylaws, you’ll need to form your business with Bizee. Corporate bylaws are included for free in their Standard and Premium packages ($199 and $299 plus state fees). If you use their Basic plan, corporate bylaws will cost an extra $30. Bizee’s bylaws do allow for customization if your company has specific needs.
Rocket Lawyer operates on a subscription basis — as a subscriber, you can access a wide library of legal documents and contracts that you can use for personal and business applications. Corporate bylaws are just one of many forms in their document library. Subscribers also receive discounts on consultations with legal professionals if they have more complicated questions they need answered.
Technically, you can get a seven-day free trial to Rocket Lawyer, which would let you get corporate bylaws for free (provided you cancel before the trial ends). After the trial, you’ll spend $39.99 monthly for regular access or $239.88 (billed annually or in four installments) for Rocket Lawyer Plus.
Not all new corporations need a long, complicated set of bylaws. Some need a simple document that meets their state’s statutory limitations so they can check that item off their to-do list quickly. That’s what you’ll get with Northwest Registered Agent’s corporate bylaws template. You simply provide your business name, address, and a few other details to fill in the blanks and create your bylaws. Print them, sign them, and you’re all set. As a plus, the template is free.
LegalZoom’s corporate bylaws and resolutions service will draft your bylaws on your behalf. All you have to do is answer their online questionnaire; they’ll create your bylaws based on your responses. Then, they’ll mail you a copy to sign and include in your corporate records. Currently, LegalZoom charges $99 for standard processing or $199 for expedited service.
This article has primarily focused on different online services you can use to create your own company bylaws. And for many business owners, one of these services will work perfectly: they’re quick, affordable, and convenient. But it’s worth noting that you can also hire an attorney to draft your bylaws for you.
Understandably, hiring an attorney is by far the most expensive way to create your company’s bylaws (the average lawyer charges between $150 and $400 per hour). But in return, you get customized guidance and bylaws that are crafted for your business’s unique needs. For corporations with complex legal situations, hiring a lawyer may be the best way to get bylaws that fully address the nuances that come with your business. Plus, a licensed attorney in your area has expertise in your state’s specific corporation laws.
While hiring an attorney would be impractical or cost-prohibitive for many small business corporations, it can be the best route for certain companies, so we wanted to mention it here.
Most states require corporations to draft bylaws. And even if your state doesn’t explicitly require them, they’re still good to have. Bylaws help define how your corporation is governed, including areas like officer roles, board procedures, and shareholder rights. While you don’t file your bylaws with the state, you do need to keep them in your corporate records. So, while you might not legally need them to start a corporation, they’re still essential for long-term structure and compliance.
You can use a free template if your business structure is simple and you’re comfortable customizing it yourself. However, a paid service can offer convenience, peace of mind, and a more tailored document. Services and paid templates walk you through the process and help ensure you’re covering the right legal ground. It depends on how complex your needs are and how confident you feel handling it on your own.
Not necessarily. Many corporations successfully use online bylaws services or templates to draft their documents. That said, if your corporation has a complex structure, unique ownership considerations, or strict compliance needs, hiring a lawyer can help ensure everything is drafted to suit those complicated needs. For simpler businesses, a customizable template or online service usually works just fine.
Yes, corporate bylaws can be amended after incorporation, but it’s a little more complicated than just editing a word document. Your corporate bylaws will include a section explaining how they can be changed, usually requiring a vote by the board of directors or shareholders. If your corporation grows or changes direction, updating your bylaws can help keep your operations aligned with your new goals. Just be sure to document any changes thoroughly and keep them with your official corporate records.
Bylaws should be clearly organized and well-written, typically formatted as a formal document. They often include dedicated sections on the board of directors, officers, shareholder meetings, voting procedures, and amendment rules. You can use a fill-in-the-blank template, customize a more detailed form, or have an attorney draft them from scratch. No matter the method, make sure your bylaws reflect your corporation’s actual structure and needs.
Compare ZenBusiness Plans
Identify the incorporation package that's right for your business and then get started.
Starter
Pro
Premium
Process in 7-10 business days*
PLUS STATE FEES
Processes in 1 business day*
Top Features
**SPECIAL OFFER – Starter is $0 plus state fees with one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance (renews at $199/yr).† ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
Corporate bylaws can help any corporation — including business corporations, nonprofit corporations, and professional corporations — in several ways.
Most importantly, bylaws set the standards for your business operations, which can help prevent conflicts down the line (or at least help resolve them when they do occur). When you’re just starting out, this might not seem that important, especially if you’ve got a small team. At the beginning, avoiding and solving arguments might be easy. But as a business grows, so does the potential for problems and disagreements. Your bylaws can set out clear procedures that everyone should follow, hopefully preventing petty arguments. They’ll also set out provisions for how to solve problems when they do come up; an impartial procedure can be a helpful tool when tempers might otherwise be high.
Additionally, maintaining and abiding by your bylaws helps prove that you’re maintaining your company’s corporate veil because you’re treating it like a separate legal entity from its owners. That separation is what gives corporate shareholders their limited personal liability protections. If you didn’t keep and follow these rules, someone could argue that you’re blurring the lines between the business and its owners; in that case, a judge might allow your corporate veil to be pierced, letting creditors come after personal assets in the event of a lawsuit or defaulted loan.
Potential investors often request to see a copy of your bylaws before they’ll support your business. After all, if you were about to make a significant investment in a company, wouldn’t you want to take a look under the hood first to make sure it was running well? So in a way, your bylaws can even help you acquire funding.
Depending on the specifics of your corporation, like its size and purpose, you may include more information than we’ll discuss here. But, for the most part, all corporations should include these items in their bylaws.
To learn more, check out our full guide on what to include in your corporate bylaws.
Demographical information about your business seems like a given, but it’s important to include in your company bylaws; it’s who you are as a business. This section typically covers your corporation’s name, business purpose, company address, your industry, and more.
What kind of stock will your corporation sell? Who will it sell stock to? What happens to an owner’s shares when they die? How many shares can one person hold? How are officers appointed? These are all important questions to answer, and your bylaws should cover them all — from voting rights to stock transfers and everything in between.
One of the unique features of the corporation is how it’s held accountable to its shareholders. You’ll need to have a shareholders’ annual meeting with your shareholders to discuss the company’s goals, priorities, and strategies for the upcoming year, vote on bylaw amendments, elect directors to fill any vacancies on the board, and more. The bylaws will outline how and when this meeting will happen, and these provisions need to be included for both privately and publicly traded companies.
You’ll need to determine how many directors will sit on your board, how they’ll be appointed, and how long they’ll be allowed to serve as directors. Your bylaws should also dictate how a director can resign, or the procedure for dismissing a director (including how and why they need to be dismissed).
How often will your board of directors meet? When and where will those regular meetings occur? How many directors need to be present to meet quorum requirements? Can directors vote by proxy if they aren’t able to attend a meeting? What’s the procedure for calling special meetings? Your bylaws will set out all the requirements for decision-making, board committees and subcommittees, and more.
Conflicts of interest occur when a company’s directors, officers, or employees let their personal interests override their duties and responsibilities to the company itself. This could include an employee using the company’s proprietary information to start their own competing company, a board member pushing for a business partnership with their friend’s company instead of the best option, or something else.
Your conflict of interest statement will help prevent and address issues like these.
Your bylaws are just that — yours. So while this list of provisions will probably work for many corporations, it might not cover every part of your daily operations. You can add extra sections to your bylaws until they fulfill your corporation’s business needs.
Every business has different priorities for its company bylaws: some just need a simple document that meets their state requirements, and others need a lengthy document that outlines the complexities of the company’s internal management and shareholder rights. Bylaws services can be incredibly helpful in creating these crucial internal documents, but no two services are created equal.
We hope this guide has helped you weigh your different options for services you can use to get your company bylaws. We wish you the best as you get your business up and running!
Recommended articles:
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team
The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. Our writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.
Ready to Start Your Corporation?
Get Incorporated Today!