Certificate of Authority

/ˈsɜːrtɪfɪkɪt əv əˈθɔːrɪti/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A legal document issued by a government granting a corporation or business the right to operate within its jurisdiction.
    The company obtained a certificate of authority to transact business in New York.
  2. (n.) An authorization license required for foreign entities to conduct business in a state.
    Before expanding interstate, the firm must secure a certificate of authority from each target state.

Forms

  • certificate of authority
  • certificates of authority

Commentary

Certificates of authority are essential for regulatory compliance when businesses expand operations beyond their domicile state.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app