Articles of Incorporation Legalization for Kuwait

Articles of Incorporation are foundational corporate documents that officially establish a company’s legal existence in the United States. When conducting business or forming partnerships in Kuwait, these documents must be authenticated and legalized to ensure they are valid and officially recognized by Kuwaiti authorities.

Overview of the Legalization Process

Before Articles of Incorporation can be used in Kuwait, they must pass through a multi-step verification process:

  1. Notarization and State Certification – The document must be signed and certified by the issuing state authority.

  2. Authentication by the U.S. Department of State – Verifies the state certification and official signature.

  3. Legalization by the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington, D.C. – Confirms the document’s validity for use in Kuwait.

The U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce (USACC) assists in completing these steps quickly and accurately, ensuring compliance with Kuwait’s commercial documentation requirements.

Why Legalization Is Required

Legalizing Articles of Incorporation confirms the authenticity of a company’s formation documents, allowing them to be accepted for official, financial, and regulatory purposes in Kuwait. This process is required to:

  • Register or establish a branch office in Kuwait.

  • Participate in government tenders or contracts.

  • Open a corporate bank account.

  • Obtain business licenses or investment approvals.

  • Present proof of incorporation to Kuwaiti ministries and legal entities.

Common Uses for Legalized Articles of Incorporation

  • Establishing new company branches or subsidiaries.

  • Engaging in joint ventures with Kuwaiti organizations.

  • Filing corporate information with government registries.

  • Verifying corporate structure for financial or compliance reviews.

Notarized Company Document Processing Time & Fees.

Service Fees Processing Time
Service fee $90 -
Maryland notary, court and state fees $15 1
U.S. Department of State fee $20 9
Embassy of Kuwait fee $25 6
Total $150 16 business days

How to Submit

Applicants can submit documents by mail or through an authorized service provider. Each submission must include:

  • The original notarized Articles of Incorporation or a certified copy.

  • A cover note specifying the document’s intended use in Kuwait.

  • A prepaid, self-addressed return envelope with tracking information.

Important Notes

  • Only documents issued and notarized within the United States are accepted.

  • Photocopies or uncertified scans cannot be legalized.

  • Processing time may vary depending on state and federal authentication schedules.