International business
Corporate records for foreign registrations, commercial arrangements and overseas counterparties.
BRIS GROUP · International Corporate Services
Documents
Legalisation
Prepare corporate documents for use overseas. BRIS GROUP helps coordinate notarisation, apostilles and consular legalisation according to the issuing country and the requirements of the receiving authority.
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International document recognition
Make your company documents ready for use abroad
Companies expanding internationally may need certified documents for opening bank accounts, establishing overseas branches, completing transactions, participating in tenders or dealing with public authorities. Depending on the destination, an apostille or consular legalisation may be requested to authenticate the document.
The correct route depends on where the document was issued, where it will be presented and what the receiving organisation requires. Not every document or transaction needs legalisation.
Banking & due diligence
Certified company records and identity-related documents when requested by a bank or financial institution.
Corporate transactions
Supporting documents for appointments, powers of attorney and other cross-border corporate matters.
Choose the correct authentication route
Apostille, notarisation or consular legalisation?
Apostille
An apostille is a certificate issued by the designated competent authority under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. It authenticates the origin of a public document for use between jurisdictions where the Convention applies.
The apostille does not certify that every statement in the underlying document is true, and it does not automatically replace any translation or other document requirements.
Consular legalisation
Where the Apostille Convention is not applicable, documents may require a different chain of authentication, potentially involving a notary, government authorities and the destination country's embassy or consulate.
The steps vary by country and document type; the receiving institution should confirm what it will accept.
Check the destination: The official HCCH Apostille Convention status table provides the current list of contracting parties. The Convention's application between particular countries and to particular documents must still be checked.
Typical corporate documentation
Which documents may need authentication?
Requirements vary with the receiving country and purpose. Common examples include:
Certificate of Incorporation
Evidence of the company's legal registration, often requested in foreign corporate or banking procedures.
Constitutional documents
Memorandum and Articles of Association, charters or equivalent formation documents.
Registry extracts
Current company information, including registered details and, where available, directors or officers.
Director resolutions
Board resolutions, appointment records and other documents evidencing corporate authority.
Powers of attorney
Documents authorising a representative to act for the company in another jurisdiction.
Additional business records
Contracts, licences, certificates and financial documents when specifically requested.
Some documents need certified copies or notarisation before they can be apostilled or legalised. We review the requested format before arranging the agreed steps.
How BRIS GROUP can assist
From document review to the required certification
Tell us the purpose
Identify the documents, issuing country, destination and receiving organisation.
Confirm the route
We review the requested authentication method, document format and any certification prerequisites.
Agree the scope
We confirm the available assistance, expected steps, fees and delivery arrangements.
Coordinate processing
We assist with the agreed notarisation, apostille or legalisation stages and document return.
Government fees, consular charges, notarisation, translation and courier costs may be separate. Timing depends on the authorities and the document requirements.
Common questions
Before ordering document legalisation
Is an apostille the same as notarisation?
No. Notarisation is performed by a notary and may be a prerequisite for authentication. An apostille is issued by a designated competent authority and certifies the origin of a qualifying public document.
Does every country accept apostilles?
No. Check the official Hague Conference status table and whether the Convention applies between the issuing and receiving jurisdictions. Other forms of legalisation may be required.
Can company documents be legalised for opening a bank account?
Yes, when the bank requests authenticated corporate documents. Each bank sets its own requirements for originals, certified copies, notarisation, apostilles and document age.
Can a scanned document be apostilled?
Acceptance depends on the issuing authority, document type and whether an eligible electronic or paper original is available. Do not assume a scan alone is sufficient.
How long does legalisation take?
Processing times depend on the issuing jurisdiction, the required certification stages, embassy or consular processing and delivery arrangements. We discuss the likely steps before proceeding.
Will I need a certified translation?
Possibly. Translation requirements are set by the receiving authority and may be separate from the authentication procedure.