Certificate of Free Sale Legalization for Use in Syria
- A Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) is often required by companies exporting goods—such as cosmetics, supplements, medical devices, food products, or consumer goods—to demonstrate that their products are legally sold and distributed within the United States. When this document is intended for use in Syria, it must undergo a formal U.S. authentication process. Since digital signatures and electronic notarizations are not accepted, the document must be signed and notarized in person before proceeding to state and federal verification. With the Syrian Embassy in the United States temporarily closed, the U.S. Department of State becomes the highest available authority for authentication.
What Is a Certificate of Free Sale?
A Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) is typically provided by state authorities, chambers of commerce, or industry organizations. It certifies that the products listed are freely sold in the U.S. market and meet all applicable regulations. This document is frequently required for:
- Exporting consumer goods.
- Meeting foreign regulatory standards.
- Completing import applications.
- Satisfying customs documentation.
- Verifying product legitimacy.
For Syrian import authorities to accept the document, it must be authenticated to confirm its validity.
In-Person Notarization Requirement
Before authentication can begin, the Certificate of Free Sale—or a copy of it—must be signed and notarized in person by a licensed notary public. The signer must be physically present, as:
- Digital and electronic signatures or online notarizations are not accepted for documents intended for Syria.
Proper notarization provides the foundation for state and federal authentication.
U.S. Authentication Process
The Certificate of Free Sale must complete these steps:
- Notarization: Must be signed and notarized in person.
- State Certification: The Secretary of State authenticates the notary’s commission.
- Authentication by the U.S. Department of State: Final federal-level verification.
Since no Syrian Embassy is operating in the United States, the U.S. Department of State authentication is the last achievable step.
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
Foreign commercial documents used in Syria must be officially verified to ensure authenticity. Since Syria does not participate in the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille cannot be issued. Instead, U.S. authentication procedures must be followed.
With the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C., temporarily closed, the full legalization process cannot be completed. As a result the U.S. Department of State is currently the final level of authentication available for Syrian-bound documents.
Completing all U.S. steps ensures the document is ready for future submission once Syrian consular services resume or alternative legalization channels become available.
Common Errors That Cause Delays
To ensure smooth processing, avoid these frequent mistakes:
- Using digitally signed or electronically notarized documents.
- Missing or incomplete notarization.
- Failing to secure state certification before federal submission.
- Assuming consular legalization is currently available.
Accurate document preparation helps prevent unnecessary delays and ensures compliance.
Start Your Certificate of Free Sale Authentication Today
The authentication process can be complex and time-consuming—especially with embassy closures and evolving requirements. Our team specializes in managing document authentication for international use, ensuring your Certificate of Free Sale is processed accurately and efficiently.
