Distributor Agreement Legalization for Use in Syria
A Distributor Agreement is a key legal contract between a manufacturer or supplier and a distributor, defining the rights and responsibilities related to product sales and distribution. When a U.S. company plans to work with a distributor in Syria, the agreement must be legally recognized by Syrian authorities. To achieve this, the document must undergo a legalization process confirming its authenticity and validity.
Because Syria is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, U.S.-issued Distributor Agreements cannot receive an apostille. Instead, they must be authenticated and legalized through a multi-step process involving state and federal verification before they can be used in Syria.
Steps to Legalize a Distributor Agreement for Use in Syria
As the Syrian Embassy in the United States is temporarily closed, the legalization process concludes with federal authentication. Here are the key steps involved:
- Notarization: The Distributor Agreement must first be signed and notarized in person before a U.S. Notary Public.
- State Certification: After notarization, the document must be certified by the Secretary of State where the notarization took place. This certification confirms the legitimacy of the notary’s commission and signature.
- Authentication by the U.S. Department of State: The final step is authentication by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. This federal authentication confirms that the state certification is genuine, finalizing the verification process.
Since the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. remains temporarily closed, the process ends at the federal level. Most Syrian institutions will accept U.S. documents authenticated by the Department of State until the embassy reopens.
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 Distributor Agreement Legalization Is Essential
Legalizing your Distributor Agreement ensures that it is officially recognized and enforceable in Syria. This process is particularly important when:
- Forming new distribution partnerships with Syrian companies.
- Registering distribution rights or trade licenses.
- Protecting intellectual property and brand rights in the Syrian market.
- Managing import, export, and sales operations.
Without proper legalization, your Distributor Agreement may not be accepted by Syrian authorities or business partners, potentially causing legal and operational delays.
Get Started Today
Ensure your Distributor Agreement is validated for Syria by completing the essential U.S. authentication steps. While the Syrian Embassy remains temporarily closed, our professional legalization service can manage this process on your behalf, guaranteeing accuracy and efficiency to prepare your documents for immediate official use when services resume.
