# Do you have to deposit the capital before signing the articles of association?

Updated : 2026-10-22 · Source : https://legalrapide.fr/en/reponses/capital-avant-statuts/

In practice, yes. The bank opens the account of the company in formation on the basis of the **draft articles of association**, you pay in the capital, and the bank issues the certificate of deposit of funds; you then sign the final articles, which mention this deposit. Both documents are attached to the registration application.

## The recommended order
1. Draft articles generated.
2. Account opened and capital deposited.
3. Certificate of deposit of funds.
4. Articles signed.
5. Legal notice, then the application is filed.

## Sources
- [Service-public: building up and depositing share capital](https://entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr/vosdroits/F32333)
- [Service-public: how do you set up a company?](https://entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr/vosdroits/F32886)