There are many considerations companies must keep in mind when doing business internationally. From more complex transactions to simply opening a bank account, businesses are required to certify and authenticate certain documents for use abroad.
Before official documents or other corporate documents such as articles of incorporation are approved for use in foreign countries, these must be legalized. Depending on the country they will be used in, documents may require either an apostille or authentication.
The process of obtaining an apostille or authentication is complex and requires engaging with a series of officials in the country the document was issued and the country where it will ultimately be used. In this guide, you’ll find an overview of the distinctions between apostilles and authentications, when and where these processes are required, terms to know, and key considerations.