To organize a stock company it is necessary for a number of persons to come together and make a certificate to the effect that they propose to form a company to bear a certain name, for the purpose of transacting a certain kind of business at a certain place. The certificate states that they propose to issue a certain number of shares of stock at a certain price per share, that the capital stock is to be a certain amount, and that the company is to continue to exist for a definite period of time. Blank forms for such certificates are supplied by the secretary of the state where the company is being organized and when properly filled out, signed, and delivered to him, he issues a license or charter to the persons making such certificate, giving them permission to open books, sell stock, and carry on the enterprise outlined. State laws regarding stock companies differ very largely.