---
name: amended-restated-certificate
title: Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (DE)
description: Drafts a Delaware Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation implementing VC term sheet economics and governance into DGCL-compliant charter provisions. Use when drafting or revising a Delaware A&R certificate, preferred stock charter terms, Series Seed/A/B financing charter, blank check preferred authority, or implementing cap structure from a term sheet or SPA.
author: CaseMark
author_url: https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/amended-restated-certificate
license: Apache-2.0
version: 0.1.0
execution_mode: open
jurisdiction: us
practice: corporate
language: en
---

# Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (DE)

Filing-ready Delaware A&R charter implementing VC financing economics and governance. Produces Articles I–VI with preferred stock rights, conversion, anti-dilution, liquidation preferences, and protective provisions.

## Prerequisites

Before drafting, collect:
- Executed term sheet or SPA exhibits (final economics and governance)
- Current cap table (outstanding, reserved, convertible securities)
- Existing certificate of incorporation and all amendments
- Board/stockholder approval mechanics and thresholds
- Registered agent name and Delaware registered office address
- Series terms and designations for each preferred class
- Side agreements affecting charter terms

## Quick Start

1. Build intake table — gather all fields below, verify math
2. Draft Articles I–VI with consistent defined terms
3. Insert preferred stock terms in Article V
4. Add optional governance provisions only if negotiated
5. Run verification checklist against source documents

## Intake Table

| Field | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal name | Existing charter, DE records | Must match exactly |
| Registered agent + address | Agent confirmation | DE county required |
| DGCL adoption path | Board/stockholder actions | 242/245 [VERIFY] |
| Authorized Common | Cap table | Include reserves |
| Authorized Preferred | Term sheet | By series |
| Par value | Existing charter | Common + Preferred |
| Series designation(s) | Term sheet | e.g., Series A |
| OIP per share | Term sheet | For conversion/dividends |
| Liquidation preference | Term sheet | Multiple + priority |
| Dividends | Term sheet | Cum/non-cum |
| Anti-dilution | Term sheet | Broad-based WA typical |
| Protective provisions | Term sheet | Thresholds |
| Board composition | Voting agreement or charter | If in charter only |

## Capitalization Math

Verify before drafting:
- Authorized Common >= outstanding + option pool + conversion reserve + warrants/options + cushion
- Authorized Preferred >= issued + reserved + anti-dilution cushion + blank-check allocation
- Series totals sum exactly to Preferred authorization
- All price/share figures reconcile to valuation and investment amount

## Article Structure

| Article | Content |
|---|---|
| I | Corporate name (DGCL 102(a)(1) [VERIFY]) |
| II | Registered office, county, registered agent |
| III | Broad corporate purpose clause |
| IV | Authorized capital, classes, par value, series designations |
| V | Preferred Stock rights and preferences (see below) |
| VI | Director liability limitation (DGCL 102(b)(7) [VERIFY]) |

## Article V Sections

| Section | Minimum Terms |
|---|---|
| Definitions | Original Issue Price, Conversion Price, Liquidation Event |
| Dividends | Rate, cumulative/non-cumulative, priority |
| Liquidation Preference | Multiple, priority, participation/cap |
| Conversion | Optional + mandatory triggers |
| Anti-Dilution | Method, formula, exclusions |
| Voting | As-converted voting |
| Protective Provisions | Enumerated actions + approval threshold |
| Optional | Board designation rights (if in charter) |

### Anti-Dilution Formula (Broad-Based Weighted Average)

CP' = CP * (A + B) / (A + C)

CP  = Conversion Price before issuance
A   = Common outstanding (fully diluted, as-converted)
B   = Consideration received / CP
C   = Shares issued in the dilutive issuance

### Protective Provisions Checklist

Include approval requirements for:
- Amend charter/bylaws adverse to Preferred
- Create/authorize senior or pari passu classes
- Increase/decrease authorized Common or Preferred
- Declare dividends or distributions
- Redeem or repurchase stock
- Liquidation, dissolution, or winding up
- Merge, recapitalize, or sell all/substantially all assets
- Change board size or composition
- Incur debt beyond approved thresholds
- Exclusive license or disposition of material IP

## Execution Block

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by a duly authorized officer
on this ___ day of __________, 20__.

_________________________________
Name:
Title:

## Pitfalls and Checks

- Use DGCL filing statements for amendment/restatement authority (242/245 [VERIFY]).
- Single-source all definitions — no duplicates across sections.
- Match every economic term to the term sheet and SPA exhibits. Never improvise.
- Use precise share counts reconciled to cap table and option pool.
- Include blank-check preferred only if consistent with protective provisions.
- If a term is ambiguous or conflicting, stop and request clarification.
- Optional governance provisions (indemnification, forum selection, written consent, special meetings) only if negotiated and consistent with bylaws.
- Director exculpation must track DGCL 102(b)(7) and 174 carve-outs [VERIFY].
- Delaware-specific — do not apply to other jurisdictions without redlining for local law.
