Assignment Document Legalization for Use in Syria
An Assignment Document is a formal legal instrument used to transfer rights, property, or interests from one party (the assignor) to another (the assignee). It is commonly used in business transactions, intellectual property transfers, real estate dealings, and financial agreements.
When an Assignment Document executed in the United States is intended for use in Syria, it must undergo an official legalization process. Legalization ensures the document is properly verified and recognized by Syrian authorities, confirming that all signatures and seals are authentic and valid.
In-Person Notarization Requirement
The first step toward legalizing your Assignment Document is in-person notarization. The document must be signed before a licensed U.S. notary public, who verifies the identity of the signer and witnesses the execution of the document.
Important: Digital signatures and electronic notarizations are not accepted for documents intended for use in Syria. Only physical, in-person notarization is valid and recognized.
This step confirms the authenticity of the signature and provides the foundation for subsequent certification and authentication.
The Legalization Process
To make your Assignment Document valid for use in Syria, it must complete the following essential steps:
- Notarization: Sign and notarize the document in person before a U.S. notary public.
- State Certification: The Secretary of State certifies the authenticity of the notary’s seal and signature.
- Authentication by the U.S. Department of State: The Office of Authentications verifies the state certification for international use.
Ordinarily, the process would end with Syrian Embassy legalization, but this step is currently unavailable due to the embassy’s closure.
Notarized Company Document Processing Time & Fees.
| Service | Fees | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee | $115 | - |
| Maryland notary, court and state fees | $15 | 1 |
| U.S. Arab chamber of commerce stamp | $35 | 1 |
| U.S. Department of State fee | $20 | 9 |
| Total | $185 | 11 business days |
Why Legalization Is Required for Syria
Because Syria is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, documents from the United States cannot receive an Apostille certificate. Instead, they must go through a multi-step legalization process to be accepted by Syrian authorities.
Legalization confirms the authenticity of the notary, state, and federal signatures, ensuring your Assignment Document carries full legal authority when presented in Syria.
However, the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. is temporarily closed, which currently limits the final stage of legalization. Despite this, documents can still be fully authenticated up to the U.S. Department of State level, keeping them ready for submission once the embassy resumes operations or through approved alternatives.
Get Started Today
Legalizing an Assignment Document for use in Syria requires completing the essential steps of Notarization, State Certification, and U.S. Department of State Authentication. While the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. is temporarily closed, you can begin the process now to ensure your document is properly authenticated and ready for submission once embassy services resume. Working with a trusted legalization agency can
