For many years, a corporation could receive a charter only
by a special act of the
state legislature, an inconvenient, often political, process. By the late 1800s businesses
wanted an easier way to incorporate. Delaware passed the General Incorporation Law in 1899.
This law, along with Delaware's unique Court of Chancery, made it advantageous to incorporate in the state. Since then, businesses
from all over the country have incorporated in Delaware, although most do not operate
here. Corporation fees and taxes provide a major source of state revenue. See also Banking
