Business License Legalization for Use in Syria
A Business License is an official authorization that permits a company to legally operate within its jurisdiction. When expanding operations, signing commercial agreements, applying for tenders, or opening bank accounts in Syria, you may be required to provide your Business License. For this document to be recognized abroad, it must undergo a formal U.S. authentication process.
Because Syria is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, the document cannot receive an apostille. Instead, it must follow a multi-step authentication process within the United States to verify its validity.
In-Person Notarization Requirements
Before starting the authentication process, your Business License —or a copy of it—must be signed, certified, and notarized in person. A physical appearance before a notary public is mandatory.
- Digital or electronic signatures and online notarizations are not accepted for documents intended for Syria.
Proper notarization ensures that the document is legitimate and eligible for the next stages of authentication.
The U.S. Authentication Process
To prepare your Business License for eventual use in Syria, it must pass through the following steps:
- Notarization: The document must be signed and notarized in person by a licensed notary public.
- State Certification: The Secretary of State authenticates the notary’s commission.
- U.S. Department of State Authentication: Federal-level verification of the state certification.
Since there is no Syrian Embassy operating in the U.S., this federal authentication serves as the final step until consular services become available again.
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 Authentication Is Required for Syria
Official documents used in Syria must undergo strict verification to confirm their authenticity. U.S. authorities perform this validation through notarization, state-level certification, and federal authentication.
However, with the Syrian Embassy in the United States temporarily closed, consular legalization is currently unavailable. This means:
- Your document will only be authenticated up to the U.S. Department of State level, which is the highest attainable authentication step at this time.
- Completing this process ensures the document is properly validated and prepared for future consular legalization when embassy services resume.
Preparing for Future Use in Syria
Although the Syrian Embassy is temporarily closed, completing the U.S. authentication stages now ensures your document is fully prepared and compliant. Once Syrian consular processing resumes, your Business License will already have the necessary U.S. validations, making the remaining steps far faster.
Whether your company is expanding its market presence, establishing a branch, or entering into contractual partnerships in Syria, having a properly authenticated Business License is essential for legal and commercial operations.
Start Your Business License Authentication Today
Navigating the authentication process can be complex, especially with current embassy closures and changing requirements. Our team specializes in managing U.S. document authentication for international use, ensuring your paperwork is handled accurately and efficiently.
