Company Bylaws Apostille
Bylaws are private internal rules, so no government office holds them. A corporate officer's certification in front of a notary makes an apostille possible.
What this document is
Bylaws set out how directors are elected, how meetings run and who may sign for the company. An LLC's equivalent is its operating agreement.
Where it is used
Spanish and Portuguese banks and notaries ask for them to confirm that the person signing has the authority claimed, especially on share purchases and account openings.
How to prepare it
- Send the current, adopted version with all pages.
- Name the officer who will certify it.
- Prepare a short officer's certificate to go on top.
Check this first
An unsigned copy has nothing for a notary to act on. The usual solution is a signed statement from the secretary confirming that the attached bylaws are true and in force.
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
Can only part of the bylaws be apostilled?
A certified extract may work, but many reviewers expect the full text. Check with the receiving office before removing pages.