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Certified Panamanian Articles of Incorporation Translation
Certified translation of the documents that constitute and evidence a Panamanian company, with the corporate form, the registry references and the powers of the representatives reproduced exactly rather than mapped onto US equivalents that carry different law.
$24.95/page
Flat rate per page, up to 250 words. No hidden fees.
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Every certified translation is guaranteed to be accepted by USCIS.
24-hour delivery
Most 1-3 page documents are delivered within 24 hours. Same-day available.
The Pacto Social and Law 32 of 1927
A Panamanian sociedad anónima is constituted by Pacto Social — the articles — under the corporation law of 1927, which is still the governing statute and is one of the reasons Panama became a jurisdiction of choice for holding structures.
The Pacto Social is executed before a notary and registered in the Mercantile Section of the Registro Público, which issues the ficha, rollo and imagen coordinates by which the company is located.
Resident agent, and three dignitarios
Every Panamanian corporation must have a resident agent who is a Panamanian lawyer or law firm, named in the Pacto Social — a requirement with no US equivalent, and the agent's name on the document is not a shareholder or officer.
The company has at least three directors and the dignatarios President, Secretary and Treasurer. One person may hold more than one office, and the titles are part of how a Panamanian company executes documents.
Bearer shares, and what changed
Panamanian corporations could historically issue bearer shares, and Law 47 of 2013 required them to be immobilised with an authorised custodian. A Pacto Social from before that still authorises bearer shares on its face, which is the law as it then stood rather than an irregularity.
Panama also maintains a beneficial ownership register accessible to authorities, which is frequently the point of a foreign counterparty's enquiry.
Private interest foundations, and what they are not
Panama also has the fundación de interés privado under Law 25 of 1995 — an entity with no shareholders, governed by a foundation charter and a council. It is not a company and not a trust, and translating it as either misleads the reader.
We keep the Panamanian designation and describe the instrument for what it is. See our Spanish page.
Ordering, and what the certification covers
Upload the document, choose certified translation at $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, and it comes back typically within 24 hours as a PDF formatted to mirror the original, with a signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead. Every seal, stamp, notarial recital and registry annotation is translated — a corporate document with its endorsements missing is not a complete document. See how we translate and certified versus standard.
Frequently asked questions
What is the resident agent?
A Panamanian lawyer or law firm every corporation must have, named in the Pacto Social. Not a shareholder or officer.
Who are the dignatarios?
President, Secretary and Treasurer. At least three directors are required, and one person may hold more than one office.
My Pacto Social mentions bearer shares.
The law as it stood. Law 47 of 2013 required them to be immobilised with an authorised custodian.
Is a private interest foundation a trust?
No, and not a company either. It has no shareholders and is governed by a charter and a council. We keep the Panamanian term.
Ready to get started?
Upload the deed or the registry extract and receive the certified translation, typically within 24 hours.