Articles of Incorporation Authentication for International Use

Purpose of Authentication

Articles of incorporation must be authenticated to be accepted by foreign authorities, banks, and regulatory bodies. Authentication confirms the issuing state authority so the articles of incorporation can be legally recognized outside the United States.

Required Steps

• State Authentication
  Certified articles of incorporation issued by the Secretary of State are authenticated at the state level.

• U.S. Department of State Processing
  Federal processing is completed when required for international use.

• Apostille or Embassy Legalization
  The final step is completed based on the destination country’s requirements.

Important Notes / Requirements

• Certified copies issued directly by the Secretary of State are required.

• Plain copies or online printouts are not accepted.

• The articles of incorporation must reflect the current legal status of the entity.

• Name discrepancies, outdated filings, or unofficial documents commonly cause delays.

• An articles of incorporation example must still be an official certified document to be eligible.

How DC Consular Helps

DC Consular handles articles of incorporation authentication from start to finish. We confirm document eligibility, manage state and federal processing, and complete apostille or legalization accurately to reduce delays and rejection risk.

Start Your Articles of Incorporation Authentication

Submit your articles of incorporation to DCConsular.com for fast, compliant processing. Our team works directly with the appropriate authorities to ensure your document is ready for international use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is articles of incorporation?
Articles of incorporation are official documents filed with a state authority to legally form a corporation.

How to get articles of incorporation?
They are obtained as certified copies from the Secretary of State where the corporation was formed.

Does an LLC have articles of incorporation?
No. LLCs are formed using articles of organization, not articles of incorporation.

What do articles of incorporation look like?
They typically include the corporation’s name, registration details, and state certification.

Are bylaws and articles of incorporation the same?
No. Articles of incorporation establish the corporation, while Company bylaws govern internal operations.