An Articles of Organization is an official record that verifies the legal formation of a limited liability company (LLC) in the United States. It outlines essential details such as the company’s name, structure, registered agent, and purpose. This document is often required for international business registration, trade expansion, or establishing a corporate presence abroad.
When a U.S.-issued Articles of Organization needs to be presented in Syria, it must undergo a legalization process to ensure it is officially recognized by Syrian authorities. Legalization confirms the authenticity of the signatures and seals on the document, validating it for official and commercial use overseas.
Why Legalization Is Required for Syria
Because Syria is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, documents from the United States cannot be apostilled for use in Syria. Instead, they must be legalized through multiple verification steps at the state and federal levels.
This process ensures that all seals, signatures, and certifications are legitimate and traceable through U.S. government records. Once legalized, the document becomes legally acceptable for submission to Syrian authorities or institutions.
However, it’s important to note that the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. is temporarily closed, which affects the final stage of legalization. Applicants are advised to complete all available authentication steps now, keeping the document ready for embassy legalization once services resume or through approved alternatives.
The Legalization Process
To make your Articles of Organization valid for use in Syria, it must complete the following key steps:
- Notarization: The document must be signed and notarized in person by a U.S. notary public.
- State Certification: The Secretary of State verifies the notary’s signature and official seal.
- Authentication by the U.S. Department of State: The Office of Authentications confirms the state certification for international use.
Ordinarily, the final step would involve legalization by the Syrian Embassy, but this is currently unavailable due to the embassy’s temporary closure.