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Certificate of Existence Legalization for Arab Countries
When an Arab bank, registry or partner asks for “proof that the company exists”, a U.S. state may answer with a certificate of existence, a certificate of good standing or a certificate of status. The name depends on the state, and Arab authorities can be strict about the wording. The Arab American Chamber of Commerce helps you order the certificate that will be accepted and legalizes it by the right route.
State-issued, so there’s no notary step. A certificate of existence comes from the Secretary of State of the company’s formation state and is certified by that same state. Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain and Algeria accept the state’s apostille. The other Arab countries also need the U.S. Department of State and the embassy.
What a Certificate of Existence Is
A certificate of existence is a state certificate confirming that a company was legally formed and still exists on the record on the date of issue. In many states it is the same as a certificate of good standing. In others the wording differs: it may confirm that the company exists without confirming it is current on its filings. Arab authorities usually want the certificate to state that the company is active or in good standing.
Existence only
Confirms the company is on the state’s record. Check that the wording also says it is active.
Check wordingExistence and good standing
Confirms existence and that annual filings and fees are up to date. This is what most Arab offices expect.
PreferredLong-form existence
Also lists the company’s filings, such as amendments and mergers.
DetailedNot available
A company that is dissolved or administratively revoked can’t get one until it is reinstated.
Fix firstChoose the Destination Country
Choose the country where the certificate will be submitted to start your order.
Country
U.S. steps
Final step
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → apostille from that state
Final stepApostille (since July 9, 2026)
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → apostille from that state
Final stepApostille
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEgyptian Embassy or consulate
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Iraq
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Jordan
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Kuwait
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Lebanon
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Libya
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → apostille from that state
Final stepApostille
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Oman (business documents since 2021)
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepPalestinian legalization arranged by our team
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Qatar
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → apostille from that state
Final stepApostille (since December 2022)
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Sudan
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Syria
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Tunisia
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication
Final stepUAE Embassy (through VFS Global), then MOFA in the UAE
U.S. stepsCertificate from the formation state → state authentication → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Yemen
Embassy fees for company certificates depend on the country. We confirm the amount with your order.
How a Certificate of Existence Is Legalized
- Order from the formation stateRequest the certificate from the state where the company was formed, shortly before you need it. Ask for wording that confirms the company is active or in good standing.
- Choose a certifiable originalSome instant online versions can’t be apostilled. Order an officially signed or certified certificate, or let us order it.
- Same state certifies itThe issuing state adds an apostille for Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain or Algeria, which completes the process, or an authentication certificate for embassy countries.
- Federal and embassy stepsFor embassy countries, the U.S. Department of State certifies the state seal, and then the embassy in Washington legalizes the certificate. For the UAE, it goes through VFS Global, then MOFA.
- Returned quicklyShipped with tracking, while the certificate is still recent.
Common mistakes: notarizing the certificate, sending an “existence only” certificate when the authority wants good standing, ordering from a state where the company is only qualified to do business, or not noticing that the company has fallen out of good standing until the state refuses the certificate.
Required Documents
What to send us
- A recent certificate of existence from the formation state, or ask us to order it.
- The company’s exact legal name and formation state, matching the rest of your file.
- Your online order for the destination country, paid online or through Pay Invoice.
- A prepaid return label: a FedEx or UPS air waybill, or a USPS Priority Mail envelope with tracking. You can also buy one at checkout.
Which certificate should I order?
- If the Arab office says “good standing”, order a certificate that states good standing
- If it says “existence” or “incorporation proof”, an existence certificate that says the company is active is usually enough
- If it wants the company history, order the long form
- Not sure? Send us the exact wording of the request
Related Company Certificates
Processing Time and Fees
Apostille countries
| Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Algeria | Apostille from the formation state |
| Notary | Not needed |
| Time | Varies by state |
Embassy countries
| State and U.S. Department of State | Required |
| Embassy fee | By country |
| Time | Call us for your country |
Timing starts when the certificate reaches us, or when the state issues it if we order it for you. State fees, our service fee and return courier are listed at checkout.
Why Choose the Arab American Chamber of Commerce?
The right wordingWe match the certificate to the wording the Arab office asked for.
Kept recentWe order it close to submission, so it isn’t rejected for its age.
Only the route you needApostille countries stop at the state.
Where to Send Your Certificate
Maryland office (fastest)
Arab Chamber of Commerce
1615 Bay Head Rd., Annapolis, MD 21409
(410) 349-1212
Washington, D.C. headquarters
1330 New Hampshire Ave. NW, B1, Washington, DC
(202) 347-5800
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm ET
Certificate of Existence Legalization: Common Questions
Is a certificate of existence the same as a certificate of good standing?
Often, but not always. Some states issue one certificate under either name. In others, an existence certificate confirms only that the company exists. Arab offices usually want wording that says the company is active or in good standing.
Does a certificate of existence need a notary?
No. The Secretary of State issues it, and the same state certifies it with an apostille or authentication. A notary isn’t part of the route.
Can I get one for a dissolved company?
Usually not. A company that has been dissolved or revoked must be reinstated before the state will certify that it exists and is in good standing.
Which Arab countries accept an apostilled certificate of existence?
Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain and Algeria (Algeria since July 9, 2026). Oman and the other Arab countries need embassy legalization for corporate documents.
Can you order the certificate for me?
Yes. Send us the exact company name and formation state, and we’ll order the right version and legalize it in one order.
Asked for proof your company exists?
Send us the exact request. We’ll order the certificate that matches it and legalize it.
Case 1 Examples
Business documents
Federally Issued documents
Case 2 Examples
Commercial Document:
Case 3 Examples
Personal Document:
Mailing
If you are using FedEx or UPS, please include a self-addressed air waybill for the return of your document.
Alternatively, you may use a USPS Priority Mail envelope with prepaid postage and a tracking number.
If you do not have a FedEx or UPS account, you can purchase an air waybill through this site in the next step.
Arab American Chamber of Commerce Headquarter Office
1330 New Hampshire Ave. NW, B1Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 347-5800
1 888-939-ARAB
Arab Chamber of Commerce
1615 Bay Head Rd.Annapolis MD, 21409
(410) 349 - 1212
