To become a corporation, the three individuals selected pursuant to Section 41-10-302 hereof shall present to the Secretary of State of Alabama an application signed by them which shall set forth:
The application shall be subscribed and sworn to by each of the applicants before an officer authorized by the laws of this state to take acknowledgements to deeds. The Secretary of State shall examine the application, and if he finds that it substantially complies with the requirements of this section, he shall receive and file it and record it in an appropriate book of records in his office.
Ala. Code § 41-10-303 (1975)