When expanding your business internationally or dealing with foreign clients and partners, you may need to provide official documents such as Articles of Incorporation, contracts, shareholders agreement, board of directors, or other business paperwork. To ensure that these documents are recognized overseas, notarization and apostille services are essential.
Notarizing Business Documents for International Use
For business documents other than the Articles of Incorporation (e.g., contracts, powers of attorney, resolutions, etc.), you may also need notarization before they can be used overseas. Many countries require notarized documents to confirm their authenticity, particularly in legal or business matters.
Follow similar steps as for notarizing Articles of Incorporation:
Prepare the Document: Ensure all business-related documents are complete and accurate.
Notarize the Document: Sign in front of a notary public who will verify your identity and witness the signing.
Obtain Copies: If you need several notarized copies, request them at the time of notarization.
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a special certification attached to documents to verify their authenticity for use in countries that are part of the Hague Convention (a treaty that simplifies the process of authenticating documents for international use). It is different from notarization but often follows it, serving as a form of international legalization.
Why Do You Need Apostille and Notarization for International Business?
International Recognition: When you submit documents overseas, countries may require official certification that verifies the document's authenticity.
Legal and Business Transactions: Whether you’re setting up a branch, entering into contracts, or applying for licenses abroad, apostilled documents ensure that your paperwork is legally valid in the foreign country.
Simplified Legal Process: The apostille simplifies the authentication process, making it easier and faster than the traditional method of consular legalization.
Conclusion
Notarizing Articles of Incorporation and business documents and obtaining an apostille are crucial steps when expanding or operating internationally. Notarization provides verification of business documents and signatures, while an apostille ensures that your documents will be accepted and recognized by foreign authorities.
Whether you're incorporating a company, entering new business partnerships, opening a bank account or signing international contracts, notarization and apostille certification are vital tools in ensuring the legality and validity of your business transactions abroad. Contact us today to get started.