Section 53-12-3 - Filing of articles of incorporationA. An original of the articles of incorporation together with a copy, which may be signed, photocopied or conformed, and a statement executed by the designated registered agent acknowledging acceptance of the appointment by the filing corporation as its registered agent, if the agent is an individual, or a statement executed by an authorized officer of a corporation that is the designated registered agent in which the officer acknowledges the corporation's acceptance of the appointment by the filing corporation as its registered agent, if the agent is a corporation, shall be delivered to the commission [secretary of state]. If the commission [secretary of state] finds that the articles of incorporation and the statement conform to law, it shall, when all fees have been paid: (1) endorse on the original and copy the word "filed" and the month, day and year of the filing thereof;(2) file the original and the statement in its office; and(3) issue a certificate of incorporation to which it shall affix the file-stamped copy.B. The certificate of incorporation, together with the file-stamped copy of the articles of incorporation affixed to it, shall be returned by the commission [secretary of state] to the incorporators or their representative.1953 Comp., § 51-25-3, enacted by Laws 1967, ch. 81, § 51; 1977, ch. 103, § 12; 2001, ch. 200, § 51; 2003, ch. 318, § 36.