Certificate of Incumbency Legalization for Use in Syria
A Certificate of Incumbency is an essential corporate document often required in international banking, business transactions, and cross-border regulatory compliance. When a Certificate of Incumbency is intended for use in Syria, it must go through a formal U.S. authentication process to verify its legitimacy. Because digital signatures and electronic notarization are not accepted, the document must follow strict preparation guidelines to meet Syrian requirements—especially in light of the Syrian Embassy in the United States being temporarily closed.
Why Authentication Is Needed for Syria
Syria requires foreign commercial documents to undergo formal verification to ensure authenticity. Since Syria is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, its documents cannot receive an apostille and must follow the U.S. authentication route instead.
However, due to the temporary closure of the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C., consular legalization is not currently possible. Therefore documents can only be authenticated up to the U.S. Department of State, which is the highest available authority for Syrian-bound documents at this time.
Completing the available U.S. stages ensures your document is properly prepared for future submission when Syrian consular services resume.
U.S. Authentication Process
Your Certificate of Incumbency must undergo the following steps:
- Notarization: In-person notarization confirming the authenticity of the signature and the copy.
- State Certification: The Secretary of State verifies the notary’s authority.
- Authentication by the U.S. Department of State: Federal validation completing the highest possible authentication step.
With no Syrian Embassy currently open in the United States, U.S. Department of State authentication is the final achievable level.
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 Incumbency?
A Certificate of Incumbency is issued by a corporation or LLC to confirm the identities, positions, and authority of its officers, directors, and key representatives. This document is commonly required for:
- Opening international bank accounts.
- Entering into foreign contracts.
- Corporate due diligence.
- Verifying signing authority.
A properly authenticated copy ensures Syrian authorities, institutions, or business partners can trust the validity of the information it contains.
In-Person Notarization Requirement
To begin the authentication process, the Certificate of Incumbency —or its certified copy—must be notarized in person. A U.S. notary public must witness the signature physically; remote or electronic notarizations are strictly prohibited for documents destined for Syria.
- Important: Digital signatures and e-notarizations are not accepted and will cause delays or rejection.
Ensuring correct notarization is critical before proceeding to state or federal authentication.
Common Errors to Avoid
To prevent delays, ensure your document meets all requirements. Avoid:
- Submitting digitally signed or electronically notarized documents.
- Omitting state certification.
- Providing uncertified or unnotarized copies.
- Assuming Syrian consular services are currently available.
A properly prepared document expedites processing and ensures compliance with international standards.
Start Your Certificate of Incumbency Authentication Today
Navigating document authentication can be complex, especially with embassy closures and evolving requirements. Our team specializes in handling corporate document authentication for international use, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and professional processing at every stage.
Let us manage the notarization guidance, state certification, and federal authentication for you. We make the process simple, efficient, and stress-free.
