Copies of public deeds in Panama: companies, real estate and ships

What are public deeds?

It is a document executed before a notary and kept in the notary's records (protocol). Many acts, such as forming a company, selling real estate or a vessel and creating a mortgage, are done by public deed and then registered at the Public Registry of Panama, which makes them enforceable against third parties.

Plain copy or certified copy

• Plain copy: shows the content of the deed, for example for an internal review or a due diligence.
• Certified copy: carries the official certification that it matches the original. It is the one banks, notaries, courts and foreign bodies usually require.

Where do you get it?

If the deed is registered, a copy can be obtained from the Public Registry of Panama. The original deed is kept in the protocol of the notary where it was executed, who can also issue copies. For old deeds, the protocols may have been moved to another archive; in that case we locate where the document is.

It helps to have the deed number, the notary and the date, or the registration number (folio) of the company, property or vessel. If you do not have those details, we can locate them from the name of the company or person.

Ship deeds

Deeds of sale of vessels, naval mortgages and their cancellations are also registered at the Public Registry of Panama. Certified copies of these deeds are used in sales, financing, court proceedings and filings with the Panama Maritime Authority. We also obtain ownership and encumbrance certificates for registered vessels.

Steps to obtain the copy

1. You tell us which deed you need and what it is for.
2. We locate the deed with the details you have: number, notary, date or folio.
3. We confirm whether you need a plain or certified copy.
4. We request the copy from the Public Registry or the notary.
5. If it will be used in another country, we apostille or legalize it, and translate it if needed.
6. You receive the copy digitally or in person in Panama.

Using it abroad

A certified copy issued in Panama must be apostilled to be used in Hague Convention countries, or legalized through consular channels in the rest. If the destination country requires a translation, it is made by an authorized public translator. We tell you the right order so you do not repeat steps.

Legal basis

• Civil Code of Panama, regarding public deeds, notaries and the Public Registry.
• Law 57 of 2008, the General Merchant Marine Law, regarding the registration of vessel ownership and mortgages.
• Hague Convention of 1961, for the apostille of copies to be used abroad.