As a business professional, have you ever heard the term “official” and wondered what exactly it means? Generally speaking, when something is “official,” it means that it has been approved and sanctioned by an authoritative body or individual in a given situation. In the legal or administrative context, ‘official’ refers to documents, acts, or proceedings that are authorized, valid, or genuine, meaning they possess the power of law.
One example of an official document is a company’s certificate of incorporation. This document, which is issued by the applicable governmental body or office, is a type of legal evidence that refers to the official recognition of a company’s formation and existence. This document spells out the rights and responsibilities of the organization in question, the members or associates associated with it, and any third parties it engages with.
When a business conducts proceedings, such as voting in directors or adopting a corporate resolution, those proceedings may also be deemed official if they are conducted in a way that adheres to the rules, policies, and statutes that govern the organization. In such cases, the vote or resolution must be properly documented in writing and signed by the right people in order to be legally binding.
In short, when a business professional encounters something that is officially recognized or declared, they can be assured that all appropriate procedures and protocols were followed and that it has been authenticated and validated by an official body or person.