Apostille China 🇨🇳

What is Chinese Apostille

Chinese Apostille — is an official confirmation of the authenticity of a signature, the capacity of the signatory, and, if necessary, the authenticity of a seal or stamp on a document. This apostille does not certify the content of the document on which it is placed and is used for its legalization in countries that recognize the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.

The Chinese government officially submitted to the «Hague Conference on Private International Law» the documents for accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961, known as the Apostille Convention.

For China, the Apostille Convention entered into force on November 7, 2023. In Hong Kong and Macau, it had been in effect for quite some time.

China is the 125th country to implement the document apostille procedure. Although China has been a member of the Hague Convention since 1987, it had not ratified the Apostille Convention for a long time.

The Convention simplifies the process of certifying documents for use abroad. It abolishes the standard procedure of legalization, replacing it with a single formality – the issuance of an apostille. This promotes the development of international trade by reducing time and financial costs.

The Convention will simplify the process of doing business for foreign companies in China. Currently, this requires certified and legalized documents.

The Convention only concerns public documents. These include: documents from state authorities, administrative documents, notarial acts, and official certificates.

What does a Chinese apostille look like

Scanned Chinese apostille or photo:

Apostille of China. The People's Republic of China ratified the apostille in 2023
Official sample of the apostille stamp – China

Text of the Chinese apostille

Description of the Chinese apostille in Chinese and English:

文书出具国：中华人民共和国
Country: People’s Republic of China

  1. 签署人：牟海蓉
    Has been signed by: Mu Hairong
  2. 签署人身份：公证员
    Acting in the capacity of: Notary Public
  3. 印鉴名称：北京市方圆公证处
    Bears the seal/stamp of: Beijing Fangyuan Notary Public Office
  4. 签发地：北京
    At: Beijing
  5. 签发日期：2023年11月07日
    Date: November 7, 2023
  6. 签发人：龚晴，三等秘书
    By: Gong Qing, Third Secretary
    外交部领事司
    Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  7. 附加证明书编号：认字第230001234567号
    No: 230001234567
  8. 签发机关印鉴：
    Seal/Stamp: (with the emblem of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC)
  9. 签名：
    Signature: (signature of Gong Qing)

Translation of the Chinese apostille text into Russian

  1. Country of document: People’s Republic of China
  2. Signed by: _________________________
  3. Position of signatory: ___________________
  4. Seal/Stamp: __________________________
  5. Place of issue: Beijing
  6. Date of issue: ____________________________
  7. Issued by:____________________
    Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  8. Apostille number: _____________
  9. Seal of issuing authority: ______________________
    (emblem of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC)
  10. Signature: ______________________

Types of documents subject to apostille in China:

  • Extracts from China’s commercial and land registers
  • Notarized documents
  • Court decisions and official documents
  • Diplomas and certificates issued by state-recognized educational institutions
  • Permits, wills, and other legal acts

It is important that powers of attorney and other documents fall under the category of public documents. This will help foreign companies.

Detailed list of documents subject to apostille in China

1. Commercial documents

  • 营业执照 (Business License)
  • 公司或个人授权书 (Power of Attorney of a Company or Individual)
  • 专利证书 (Patent Certificate)
  • 原产地证明 (Certificate of Origin)
  • 检验检疫证书 (Inspection and Quarantine Certificate)
  • 商业证书 (Commercial Certificate)
  • 商品检验证书 (Product Inspection Certificate)
  • 聘用证明书 (Employment Certificate)
  • 发票 (Invoice)
  • 海关申报单 (Customs Declaration)
  • 公司名称变更表 (Company Name Change Document)
  • 出口登记表 (Export Registration Form)

2. Civil status documents

  • 出生医学证明 (Medical Birth Certificate)
  • 亲属关系证明 (Relationship Certificate)
  • 结婚证 (Marriage Certificate)
  • 离婚证 (Divorce Certificate)
  • 监护权判决书 (Custody Decision)
  • 遗产继承判决书 (Inheritance Decision)
  • 房产证 (Property Ownership Certificate)
  • 机动车登记证 (Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate)
  • 知识产权证书 (Intellectual Property Certificate)

3. Other documents

  • 学历证明 (Educational Certificates and Diplomas)
  • 身份证 (Identity Card)
  • 劳动合同 (Employment Contract)
  • 健康证明 (Health Certificate)
  • 疾病诊断证明 (Diagnosis Certificate)
  • 公证遗嘱 (Notarized Will)
  • 委托书 (Power of Attorney)

Important clarifications:

For their legalization, it is recommended to use notarization and consular legalization if the destination country does not recognize the apostille.

Invoice (发票):

发票 in China is an official tax document issued by tax authorities.

Such documents confirm the legality and authenticity of commercial transactions, making them suitable for apostille.

The apostille on 发票 confirms the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the person who signed the document, and the seal or stamp affixed to the document.

Commercial contracts (商业合同):

As previously discussed, commercial contracts between private companies are generally not subject to apostille because they are not government documents.

Competent authorities for apostille in China:

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC
  • External authorities authorized by local governments

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