Business Letters Legalization for Use in Syria
When conducting international business with Syrian companies or institutions, U.S. business entities are often required to present legalized documents, especially business letters that confirm commercial intent, corporate relationships, or official agreements. For these documents to be recognized in Syria, they must go through a formal legalization process verifying their authenticity and legal standing.
A Business Letter legalization ensures that your document is officially valid and accepted by Syrian authorities, financial institutions, or business partners. Since Syria is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, U.S. business letters cannot be apostilled; they must be authenticated through a multi-step legalization process.
In-Person Signature and Notarization
Before starting the legalization process, it is crucial to note that the business letter must be signed and notarized in person. Digital signatures and electronic notarizations are not accepted.
This step confirms the identity of the signer and ensures that the document’s content is legitimate, setting the foundation for subsequent state and federal authentication procedures.
Step-by-Step Process for Legalizing a Business Letter for Syria
Since the Syrian Embassy in the United States is temporarily closed, the standard procedure stops at the federal authentication stage. Here’s how the process is completed:
- Notarization: The first step is to have the business letter signed and notarized by a U.S. Notary Public. The notary verifies the signer’s identity and attaches an official notarial seal to the document. Remember that this step must be done with a wet ink signature, not electronically.
- State Certification: Once notarized, the business letter must be certified by the Secretary of State where the notarization took place.
- Authentication by the U.S. Department of State: After state certification, the document must be sent to the U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.
Since the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. is temporarily closed, the authentication process concludes at this stage. Syrian authorities or business entities will generally accept documents authenticated by the U.S. Department of State until consular services resume.
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 Business Letter Legalization Matters
Legalizing your business letter demonstrates that your document is:
- Officially recognized by U.S. and international authorities.
- Legally valid for use in Syria’s public and private sectors.
- Trusted by banks, corporations, and government entities during international transactions.
Without proper legalization, your business correspondence may be rejected or delayed in Syrian administrative procedures.
Professional Assistance for Smooth Processing
The legalization process can be time-consuming and requires precision at every step. Working with a professional document legalization service ensures that:
- Your business letter meets all notarial and state requirements.
- The document is correctly submitted to the U.S. Department of State.
- Any procedural delays are minimized through expert handling.
Professional services help streamline your legalization process, offering guidance, document review, and expedited shipping options for domestic or international delivery.
Get Started Today
Legalizing a Business Letter for use in Syria is an essential step in validating your commercial documents for international transactions. Although the Syrian Embassy in the U.S. remains temporarily closed, completing notarization, state certification, and U.S. Department of State authentication ensures that your documents are fully verified and ready for official use.
