November 10, 2023 Posted by Aofan Consulting Staff
China has successfully joined the Hague Convention and become a member state. The Apostille Convention came into effect in China on November 7, 2023.
We can help you to request both apostilles and Consular authentication certificate for a variety of documents to individuals, companies to be used out of China.
The country in which the document will be used determines the type of certificate needed.
- An apostille is for documents to be used in member countries of the Hague.
- Consular authentication certificate is for documents to be used in Non-Hague Convention countries and is only valid in the specific destination country.
Arya Zhao
Senior Manager, Notary & Apostille
Email: notary@intrz.com
How to request China apostille service for use outside China?
China Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides an Apostille to authenticate China Notary officials’ signatures on documents to be used outside China.
Sample of China Apostille
The China Apostille process, first requires the documents to be notarized by a Chinese notary public, and then submits the Notarial Certificate to Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China for Apostille
Processing times for apostille service in China
Regular processing time for obtaining apostille for notarial certificate is between 5 -7 working days excluding mailing time.
Turnaround time for expedited apostille service of notarial certificate is 2-3 business days excluding mailing time.
Tips: Please be kindly advised that documents need to be notarized prior to submission for apostille in China. Check “How to notarize documents in China” for notary details.
Fees for apostille service in China
Generally, our price starts at 1000 RMB, please reach us via notary@intrz.com and we will provide the quotation within minutes.
We Accept Payment
We accept payment through the following payment methods
- PayPal
- PayPal-Credit Card
- Wise
- Bank wire transfer
How does it work to get a document apostilled in China?
If all of this sounds complicated and intimidating, don’t worry! We are here to help you to complete notarization and apostille application and guide you all the way to the finish line.
Send scan copy of document to be apostilled and the following information as part of the email to notary@intrz.com.
1. What document do you need to apostille?
2. What is your nationality? Have you ever changed your nationality or name?
3. Which country will the apostille certificate be used for? and for what purpose (work visa, student visa, permanent residence, immigration, court requirements, residence)?
4. Which foreign language do you need it to be translated? How many copies do you need?
5. What kind of services do you need, please mark it with “√”. Processing time is not include the shipping time.
_____Solution 1：Translation and Notarization
_____Solution 2： Apostilled/legalized by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
_____Solution 3：Solution 1 + Solution 2
_____Solution 4：Solution 3 + Legalized by foreign Consulate in China
We reply with the quotation and the required supplementary supporting documents.
We prepare the contract for you after receiving all the required documents.
You sign and send back the scan copy of contract and make the deposit.
We start to process the documents.
We send the scan copy of notarial certificate to you, and you pay the remaining balance.
We mail notarial or apostille certificate to you.
How to obtain a China apostille?
Before initiating the apostille request, it’s vital to identify which documents are eligible for this international authentication. Commonly apostilled documents include
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Educational diplomas and transcripts
- Articles of incorporation and certificates of good standing
- Court judgments and notarial acts
- Powers of attorney and affidavits
China Mainland Apostille
The majority of China apostille requests begin with notarization. Engage the services of a local notary public to validate the authenticity of your document.
Following successful notarization, the next step is to visit the local foreign affairs office for apostille.
Check China Apostille for details.
Hong Kong Apostille
The Apostille process in Hong Kong, first requires the documents to be notarized by a Hong Kong notary public, and then submits the notarized documents to the High Court of Hong Kong for Apostille.
Check Hong Kong Apostille for details.
Macao Apostille
The Apostille process in Macao, first requires the documents to be notarized by a Macao notary public, and then submits the notarized documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau of Macao for Apostille.
Check China Apostille for details.
The Apostille Convention is a significant step for China to integrate into the global legal system and to promote international cooperation and exchange. It is also a great opportunity for individuals and businesses to expand their horizons and explore new possibilities. If you need to use a public document from another country in China, or vice versa, you should check if the country is a contracting state of the Convention, and if so, you should apply for an apostille to simplify your document verification process.
CONTACT
While navigating the apostille process independently is feasible, some individuals and businesses opt for professional assistance.
With over 6 years of experience on global apostille, Aofan Consulting will save you a lot of time for document preparation and make it easy to complete your application. We are here to help you to complete the Apostille application and guide you all the way to the finish line. Please do not hesitate to contact us at notary@intrz.com.
FAQ on China Apostille
Yes, China is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention 1. From November 7, 2023, Mainland China officially joins the “Apostille Convention” or the “Hague Convention”.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Competent Authority to issue apostilles to documents originating within mainland China.
Yes, Mainland China officially joins the “Hague Convention”. Chinese documents can be apostilled by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
To certify documents in China, you can submit required documents to Public Notary Office (Gong Zheng Chu “公证处”) . Public Notary Office checks the documents and confirms if the application is accepted. If the application is accepted, Public Notary Office issues notarial certificate.
Public documents issued in China need to be notarized by Notary Public and then apostilled by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for use in any country that is a party to the Apostille Convention.
The common documents can be apostilled in China including:
- Administrative documents issued by government authorities or agencies, such as business licenses, tax certificates, or certificates of origin.
- Judicial documents issued by courts or prosecutors, such as judgments, orders, or writs.
- Notarial documents issued by notaries public, such as powers of attorney, contracts, affidavits, or declarations.
- Public documents issued in China need to be notarized by Notary Public and apostilled by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for obtaining an apostille, without the need for further legalization by the embassy or consulate.
To attest your degree issued in foreign countries, you can attest your degree in following ways,
1. Get your degree apostilled by Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the place where it is issued if the issuing country is a part of “Hague Convention” countries.
2. Get it authenticated by Chinese Embassy/Consulates after certification after authentication of Secretary of State, State Department or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. Have the overseas degree accredited by Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) of the Ministry of Education (MOE).