Certificate of Existence Legalization for Use in Syria
When presenting U.S. corporate documents abroad, a Certificate of Existence must be fully legalized before it can be accepted in Syria. Legalization verifies the authenticity of the document and ensures it complies with the requirements set by Syrian authorities. Whether your company is expanding overseas, participating in international transactions, or registering with Syrian agencies, a properly authenticated Certificate of Existence is essential.
Legalization Process for a Certificate of Existence
To make your document valid for use in Syria, it must go through the following required steps:
- Notarization: The certificate must be signed before a U.S. notary public in person. The notary certifies the authenticity of the signature and confirms the signer’s identity.
- State Certification: After notarization, the document is sent to the appropriate Secretary of State’s office for certification. This validates the notary’s commission and confirms the legitimacy of their seal and signature.
- Authentication by the U.S. Department of State: Once certified by the state, the document is submitted to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. for federal authentication. This certification verifies the signature and seal of the state authority.
Important Note: The Syrian Embassy in the United States is temporarily closed.
Since there is no operational Syrian Embassy, documents bound for Syria will only be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State at this time.
Embassy legalization may be required once the embassy reopens or alternative procedures are introduced.
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 |
What Is a Certificate of Existence?
A Certificate of Existence, also called a Certificate of Status or Certificate of Good Standing in some states, is an official document issued by the Secretary of State. It confirms that a business is legally registered, active, and compliant with state requirements.
When this certificate—or its certified copy—is needed in Syria, it must undergo U.S. authentication procedures because Syria is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, making apostilles invalid. Instead, the traditional legalization path must be followed.
Mandatory Requirement
Before the legalization process can begin, the document must be signed and notarized in person.
- Digital signatures and electronic notarizations are not accepted by authorities for documents intended for Syria.
- A U.S. notary public must verify the identity of the signer and witness the physical signature.
This step ensures that the document meets the proper standards for subsequent state and federal authentication.
Professional Assistance for a Seamless Legalization Process
Legalizing documents for Syria requires strict adherence to U.S. state and federal procedures. With the Syrian Embassy currently closed, navigating updated requirements can be challenging.
Our team specializes in U.S. corporate document legalization for Syria and provides complete support at every stage, including:
- Document review and preparation.
- Guidance on correct notarization procedures.
- State certification processing.
- U.S. Department of State authentication.
- Compliance assurance throughout the entire process.
We streamline the experience, minimize delays, and ensure your documents are properly authenticated for international use.
Start Your Legalization Process Today
Ensure your Certificate of Existence is fully legalized and ready for official use in Syria. Our expert team handles every step for you—accurately, efficiently, and professionally.
