Business · 5 min read

When a Corporate Resolution Needs to Be Notarized

Most corporate resolutions don't legally require notarization — but banks, registrars, and foreign jurisdictions frequently demand it anyway.

A corporate resolution is the official record of a decision made by a board of directors or members. Under most state corporation laws, the resolution is valid once properly adopted and signed by the corporate secretary — no notary required.

In practice, banks opening corporate accounts, foreign government registrars accepting U.S. corporate filings, and title companies recording corporate-owned real estate routinely require the resolution to be notarized.

A proper notarization includes the corporate secretary's signature, a notarial acknowledgment that they signed in their capacity as secretary, and (for international use) an apostille or embassy legalization.