Chinese embassy document authentication

Chinese embassy authentication services

China is considered as a non-participating country in the Hague Convention. Thus, to use your documents over there, you will need to follow some legal procedures placed by China embassy to use your documents in their country, whether personal or corporate documents the instructions are the same.

Bear on mind that Hong Kong and Macao accepted the Hague Convention.

Therefore, if you are travelling to one of those cities, you will only need the apostille seal to use your document.

This article will cover the following questions:

• What are the required steps to use your documents in China?
• Does China Embassy have different instructions for each state?
• What is the type of documents could be legalised by China Embassy?
• Are there any expedited services provided?

So, first of all, what are the steps required to use your documents in China?

1. Have your document notarized by a State notary public unless its original governmental document issued from Federal /State/ Local office.
2. The documents must be authenticated from Secretary of the State where it was issued from.– Some states may require certifying the document from County Clerk first.
   Such as Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Tennessee and New York.
3. Authentication of the US Department of State is required in some states
   Such as Washington DC, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
4. Finally, Authenticate your document from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
   Authentication is required by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate that holds consular jurisdiction over the state where the document is certified.
   Individuals provide one passport/driver license copy of the applicant; for corporate documents, please provide a cover letter and one passport/ driver license copy of the company’s legal representative.

Does China Embassy have different instructions for each state?

Yes. As we mentioned above, requirements differ slightly according to the state.

The difference is in two steps:

• States Such as Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Tennessee and New York require a counter clerk’s signature.
• States Such as Washington DC, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming Required authentication from US Department of State.

What is the type of documents could be legalized by China Embassy?

• Extracts from the commercial register
• Certificates of civil status (certificates of birth, death, marriage and divorce)
• Education documents (school reports, certificates, diplomas)
• Court decisions
• Notary certified copies of documents.
• Notary certified translations
• Further notarial documents (authorizations, last will, declarations)

Single affidavits/certificates intended to be used for marriage registration in China, and certain adoption documents regarding marital status, health status, or criminal records are only valid for six months from the issuance date. The Embassy / Consulate-Generals will NOT authenticate a document if it becomes invalid.

Are there any expedited services provided?

One Day Apostille provides expedited services with nominal additional fees to legalize your document to use them in China.

We offer competitive pricing and discounts for regular high-volume customers.

By using our expedited service, it takes 11 business days to process your documents.

Expedited service fees: