A written application requesting permission to form a corporation is called the:

A written application requesting permission to form a corporation is known as the Articles of Incorporation. This document is essential as it is filed with the state government to legally create a corporation. The Articles of Incorporation typically include important information such as the corporation's name, purpose, the number of shares authorized, and the registered agent's name and address.

This formal request serves to inform the state of the intention to operate as a corporation, thus granting the organization legal recognition and structure. Once the state approves the Articles of Incorporation, the corporation is officially established and can begin conducting business as a legal entity.

The other options, while related to the formation and operation of a corporation, serve different purposes. Bylaws outline the internal rules and regulations for managing the corporation but are not a request for formation. A business license is a permit required to operate a business within a specific jurisdiction, and a corporate charter, while similar to the Articles of Incorporation, is not the application itself but rather the document that is issued following approval of the Articles.