Final answer:
The fundamental documents required for a corporation to be incorporated are the Articles of Incorporation, as they contain critical information about the corporation's structure and operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic governing documents of a corporation that must be drafted and filed with, and approved by, the state before the corporation can be officially incorporated are the Articles of Incorporation. These documents set forth the corporation's basic information, like its name, purpose, corporate structure, and types of stock it is authorized to issue. They are essential for a corporation to be legally recognized and to start operating.