Certificate of Existence Apostille
Some states issue a Certificate of Existence to confirm that a company is on their register. For foreign reviewers, it serves the same purpose as good standing.
What this document is
The certificate confirms the entity was validly formed and has not been dissolved. It may say less about tax or filing compliance than a full good standing certificate.
Where it is used
European banks and business partners rely on it during onboarding checks, and a Spanish or Portuguese registry may accept it as proof of current corporate existence.
How to prepare it
- Order a recent copy from the state of formation.
- Check whether the office also needs tax clearance.
- Keep the original unaltered, with no staples removed.
Check this first
If the foreign request says good standing specifically, confirm that this title is acceptable before going further. A short query can avoid repeating the apostille.
How the apostille is obtained
- We review the document and check whether a notarized copy meets the request.
- A Maryland notary performs the notarization.
- The Circuit Court clerk certifies the notary where required, and the Maryland Secretary of State issues the apostille.
- We scan the apostilled document and email you a high-resolution PDF.
A common question
Is this the same as a certificate of incorporation?
No. Incorporation records the company's creation, while existence confirms it is still on the register today.