U.S. Corporate Documents Apostilled for Mexico
When a U.S. company becomes a shareholder in a Mexican company, grants powers to a representative or opens an account in Mexico, the notario or corredor público usually asks for its documents with the apostille of the state of formation and a perito translation. We handle the certificates, the apostille and the translation.
Which Mexican offices ask for this document
These are the most common procedures; the receiving office may ask for more:
Notary Procedures in Mexico: Property, Estates and Companies
- A power of attorney signed in the U.S. or Canada must be signed before a notary there and apostilled in that same state or province.
- Once in Mexico it is translated by a perito, and the notario usually formalizes it (protocolización) before it is used.
- Have the Mexican notario review the wording before you sign, so it includes the powers the transaction needs.
Which version works and which does not
An apostille can only go on a public document with the right signature and seal:
- Certificate or certified copy issued by the Secretary of State of the state of formation, with its seal
- Internal documents signed before a notary by a company officer
- Uncertified online database printouts
- Minutes or bylaws without signature or notarial certificate
How to prepare this document
Follow this order so the authority apostilles it and the Mexican office accepts it:
Order certificates from the state of formation (for example Delaware, Texas or Florida).
Notarial certification of internal minutes and resolutions, if needed.
Apostille from the relevant Secretary of State.
Spanish translation by a perito and delivery to the notario or corredor público in Mexico.
Which authority apostilles your document?
The apostille comes from a specific office, depending on where the document was issued or signed. Pick your case:
Document review needed
We do not yet have a confirmed route for this combination. We review your document before telling you where it goes.
Already living in Mexico?
Ask your notario or corredor for the exact document list. With it we order the certificates from the state of formation, prepare any notarial certificates needed and send you everything apostilled and translated.
1. Online review
Send us a photo or scan of the document. We check the signature, seal and authority before you send anything.
2. Shipping originals
If the procedure needs the original, we tell you how to send it by tracked courier or collect it from your address.
3. Delivery to your door
We send the apostilled document and, if you asked for it, the translation by a perito anywhere in Mexico.
Translation by a perito traductor
Mexican offices usually ask for documents in English or French to be translated into Spanish by a perito traductor authorized by the state judiciary. The translation normally includes the apostille. Each office decides which peritos it accepts: some only take peritos from their own state.
Usual timelines
These are the authorities’ timelines; shipping and translation are on top:
Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Using a Certificate of Good Standing that is several months old; notarios and banks usually want a recent one.
Apostilling internal documents without the prior notarial certificate.
Apostille questions: Corporate Documents (Certificate of Good Standing, Articles)
How recent must the Certificate of Good Standing be?
There is no single rule, but notarios and banks in Mexico usually ask for a recently issued one. It is best to order it once you have a date for the transaction.
My LLC is from Delaware but operates in another state. Where is it apostilled?
Certificates of existence are apostilled in the state that issues them; for a Delaware LLC, in Delaware. Notarized internal documents are apostilled in the notary’s state.
Why would Mexico ask for apostilled documents from my U.S. company?
For example, so the company can be a shareholder in a Mexican company, to grant powers to a representative in Mexico or to open a business account. The notario or corredor público usually asks for them apostilled and translated by a perito, and sometimes formalizes them (protocolización).
We help you in Mexico
- Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH): https://www.hcch.net/es/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille
Pre-review: Corporate Documents (Certificate of Good Standing, Articles)
Before any paper moves, we review your document: who issued it, whether the signature and seal can be apostilled and what the Mexican office needs. You get the timeline and a quote in writing.
Pre-review: Corporate Documents (Certificate of Good Standing, Articles)
We check the authority, signature and seal, and send you a quote before you ship the original.