What is the term for a state-issued document that grants the legal right to conduct operations as a corporation?

The correct term for a state-issued document that grants the legal right to conduct operations as a corporation is referred to as a charter. A charter is a formal document that establishes a corporation, granting it the authority to operate and detailing its purpose, structure, and other essential elements. It is essential for the corporation to have a charter to be recognized legally and to operate within the state where it is incorporated.

The other terms, while related to corporate operations, refer to different aspects. A license typically refers to permission to operate within a specific jurisdiction, but it does not constitute the foundational legal authority to exist as a corporation. Articles of incorporation describe the specifics of a corporation's formation but are not commonly used as a synonym for the charter in legal terms. Bylaws represent the internal rules governing the operating procedures of a corporation but do not confer legal status or rights from the state. Therefore, the term charter accurately reflects the legal document that provides a corporation its legal standing.