Foreign bank account authority
Banks abroad require an apostilled board resolution authorizing the U.S. company to open and operate accounts and naming the officers authorized to sign on those accounts.
Corporate resolutions apostille
Corporate Resolutions Apostille for Use Abroad.
We turn corporate resolutions, incumbency certificates, and board approvals into documents foreign banks and counsel will accept — starting with the right notarized signature wording and the correct state apostille route.
- Mobile notary for board signers
- Same-day notarize & apostille (CA)
- Foreign banks, M&A & signing authority
This page covers corporate resolutions, incumbency certificates, and board approvals only. For formation, see the articles of incorporation page. For governance documents, see the bylaws and operating agreements page.
What this page covers
Corporate Resolutions Apostille, end to end.
A corporate resolution apostille is what foreign banks, counsel, and counterparties use to confirm that a specific person is authorized to act on behalf of a U.S. company — opening accounts, signing contracts, or executing transactions abroad. Because resolutions are internal company documents (not state-filed), they must first be signed and notarized in front of a notary public, and then apostilled by the Secretary of State where the notary is commissioned. The same applies to incumbency certificates and board consents.
Common reasons people need this
When a corporate resolutions apostille is required.
Cross-border transactions
M&A, joint ventures, and major contracts often require an apostilled resolution showing the board has authorized the specific transaction and named the signing officer.
Board approval evidence
Foreign counsel and counterparties may require an apostilled board consent or minutes excerpt as evidence that the U.S. company has duly approved the matter under its bylaws.
Incumbency & officer authority
Incumbency certificates — typically signed by a corporate secretary — confirm who holds office and is authorized to act. Foreign banks regularly require these apostilled alongside the resolution.
How it works
Three steps from photo to apostille.
Confirm document wording
Send the draft resolution, board consent, or incumbency certificate along with any wording or format the foreign bank or counterparty has requested. We confirm whether the document needs an acknowledgment, jurat, or specific notarial certificate before signing.
We notarize the signature
The corporate secretary, officer, or board member signs in front of our notary — we can come to the office, board meeting, or signing location. Multiple signers and out-of-state signers can be coordinated.
We apostille and return
Once notarized, we file with the correct Secretary of State and return the apostilled package by secure courier, overnight mail, or in-person pickup. Same-day rush is available for most California cases.
What will and won't be accepted
Accepted & rejected corporate resolutions copies.
Will be accepted
- Board resolutions signed by an authorized officer with notary acknowledgment or jurat
- Incumbency certificates signed by the corporate secretary with notary acknowledgment
- Unanimous written consents of directors or shareholders signed and notarized
- Minutes excerpts certified by the corporate secretary as a true copy and notarized
- Specimen signature pages and signing authority schedules attached to a notarized cover
Will be rejected
- Unsigned resolution drafts — the document must bear an original signature in front of the notary
- Resolutions notarized in a state different from where they will be apostilled
- Resolutions with an incomplete or improper notarial certificate (missing venue, date, or seal)
- Photocopies of previously notarized resolutions — the original notarized document is required
- Resolutions naming officers who do not match the company’s current incumbency
Realistic timelines
Corporate Resolutions apostille processing time.
California corporate resolutionss
- Same-day — available when we notarize and apostille in California in person on the same business day.
- 1–3 business days — standard turnaround for California-notarized resolutions submitted in person.
- 2–4 weeks — mail-in submission to the California Secretary of State.
Other U.S. states
- 1–6 weeks — typical processing window for out-of-state Secretary of State apostille offices.
- Add 1–2 days if the document must be notarized in another state where the signing officer is located.
- Add 2–6 weeks for consular legalization if the destination country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Before you contact us
Have these ready for a clear apostille plan.
Corporate Resolutions apostille checklist
- Country where the apostilled resolution will be used
- Exact legal entity name and state of formation
- Name and title of the signing officer or corporate secretary
- Whether the foreign party has provided specific resolution wording
- Hard deadline (bank onboarding, closing, transaction date)
- Whether the destination country is in the Hague Apostille Convention
Good to know
- Notarize where you’ll apostille: the resolution must be notarized in the same state that will issue the apostille — we coordinate this for California or out-of-state signers.
- Pair with incumbency: foreign banks regularly want the resolution plus an incumbency certificate plus articles plus a current good standing apostilled together.
- Translation: the apostille does not translate the resolution. Certified translation, if required, happens after apostille.
Corporate Resolutions Apostille FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Who signs the corporate resolution?
Usually the corporate secretary, but a board chair, president, or other authorized officer can sign depending on the company’s bylaws. The foreign bank or counterparty may specify which officer they want signing. We can review the foreign party’s instructions with you before scheduling notarization.
Do you draft the resolution wording?
We don’t practice law, so we don’t draft resolutions. Your in-house or outside counsel typically prepares the wording — or the foreign bank often provides a template. We then notarize the signed document and apostille it.
Can you notarize and apostille for an out-of-state signer?
Yes. The resolution must be notarized in the state that will apostille it. If your signing officer is in another state, we either coordinate a notary in that state or arrange for the officer to sign in California with a California notary and apostille.
What’s the difference between a resolution and an incumbency certificate?
A resolution authorizes an action or grants authority. An incumbency certificate confirms who currently holds office and is authorized to sign. Foreign banks often require both apostilled together, plus articles and a current good standing.
Can multiple signers sign the same notarized resolution?
Yes — we can take multiple acknowledgments on a single document, or notarize separate signature pages and bind them together for one apostille. We confirm the foreign party’s preferred format before signing.
How long does the apostille process take?
California resolutions can often be notarized and apostilled within 1–3 business days with in-person filing, and same-day rush is available in most cases. Other states vary, typically 1–6 weeks. Non-Hague destinations requiring consular legalization add several more weeks.
Other business & corporate documents