Alaska Corporate Bylaws

Alaska corporate bylaws are the rules that govern your corporation’s operations and create an organizational structure for your company. Bylaws outline policies for appointing directors and officers, holding shareholder and board meetings, and handling conflicts of interest, among other issues.

Corporate bylaws are some of the most important internal documents you have, which is why we at Northwest offer a free, attorney-drafted template customized for Alaska corporations you can use to create corporate bylaws that suit your business.

Why do I need corporate bylaws?

Unlike your Alaska Articles of Incorporation, Alaska corporate bylaws are not filed with the State of Alaska Corporations Section, but they are legally recognized and no less important than any public document. Here’s why:

1. Corporate bylaws are legally required in Alaska.

According to AK Stat § 10.06.223, corporations “shall” hold an organizational meeting “for the purpose of adopting bylaws,” as well as covering any other business matters. In other words, corporate bylaws are required in Alaska.

2. Corporate bylaws establish the rules and roles within your corporation.

Your corporate bylaws determine rules for appointing your board of directors, holding shareholders’ meetings, issuing stocks and even dissolving the business, if and when the time comes. Having an agreed-upon blueprint for day-to-day operations helps to mitigate any disagreements that might disrupt the flow of operations.

3. Corporate bylaws prove that your business is a legitimate corporation.

Adopting corporate bylaws signals to others that your corporation is the real deal. Banks, landlords, and potential investors will want to see your bylaws before doing business with you. And if you’re facing a lawsuit, your corporate bylaws will help reinforce your limited liability status.

What is included in Alaska corporate bylaws?

Corporate bylaws can include anything (within the law) not already covered by Alaska’s statutes. But strong bylaws are essential, and should include information about:

Meetings
Stock
Directors and officers
Finances
Records
Amendments and emergencies

Who prepares the bylaws?

Corporate bylaws are adopted by your board or directors or incorporator(s) at your organizational meeting. While it’s a good idea to consult with a lawyer before finalizing your bylaws, you can use our free Alaska Corporate Bylaws template to help get you started.

Are corporate bylaws legally binding?

Yes. Your Alaska corporate bylaws are official legal documents, which means you can use them in a court of law to prove your limited liability status or show how your corporation functions. It also means you could face negative legal consequences if you violate your bylaws.

Alaska Corporate Bylaws Template

Here is our free, Alaska-specific bylaws template, which has been drafted by an attorney:

Alaska Corporate Bylaws

FAQs

Are bylaws filed with the state of Alaska?

No. Your corporate bylaws are internal documents, which means they should be kept on file with your business records.

Do bylaws need to be signed?

No. Alaska statutes do not explicitly state that bylaws need to be signed. However, including the names and signatures of all board members and officers adds to your corporation’s legitimacy, and helps to ensure that your bylaws will hold-up in court.

How do I amend my bylaws in Alaska?

Alaska’s statutes (see AK Stat § 10.06.223-233) provide some rules for amending bylaws, but for the most part, corporations establish the procedures for amending bylaws in their articles or in the bylaws themselves.

For example, your articles could stipulate that all voting power when it comes to amending bylaws should be reserved for shareholders. Or, according to AK Stat § 10.06.415, your corporate bylaws could change the terms of a quorum (the minimum number of board members need to hold an official meeting).