China officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention on March 8, 2023, and the Convention will become effective in China on November 7, 2023. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of China is designated as the Competent Authority responsible for issuing Apostille within Chinese mainland.
Competent Authority of Apostille
Issuing Authorities for Apostilles in the Chinese Mainland
In the Chinese mainland, Apostilles are issued by the Department of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, the following provincial and municipal Foreign Affairs Offices (FAOs) are also authorized to issue Apostilles.
Authorized Provincial FAOs (25):
Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Hunan, Hainan, Jilin, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Sichuan, Shandong, Shanghai, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Gansu, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia.
Authorized Municipal FAOs (6):
Changchun, Harbin, Ningbo, Jinan, Qingdao, Shenzhen.
It’s important to note that the Hague Convention does not apply between China and any contracting states or regions that China does not recognize as sovereign. This includes the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR. Therefore, documents exchanged between mainland China and Hong Kong or Macao still require transmission through designated forwarding agencies.
In these cases, Apostilles for Hong Kong are issued by the High Court of Hong Kong, and Apostilles for Macao are issued by the Legal Affairs Bureau of Macao.
Process & Time of Apostille
The process begins with notarization by a notary at an official notary office. For international use, the notarization typically takes 3 to 7 business days. Required materials generally include a valid ID (such as a passport) and supporting documents related to the specific matter being notarized.
You can visit the notary office located in your place of residence. Once the notarization is complete, the original notarial certificate must be submitted to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—or to one of the authorized Foreign Affairs Offices mentioned above—for the Apostille.
Standard processing time for Apostille issuance is around 5 business days, or 3 days for expedited service.
If you’re short on time or unable to handle the process in person, we offer a convenient all-inclusive service. Our team can manage the entire process on your behalf—no need for you to visit any offices in person.
What’s the Difference Between an Apostille and Consular Legalization?
At this point, many people may wonder: What exactly is the difference between an Apostille and consular legalization? And which one do I need?
Let’s start with what they have in common. Both Apostilles and consular legalizations are official procedures that allow documents to be recognized across borders. Importantly, neither process certifies the content of the document—they only verify the authenticity of the signature or seal of the issuing authority.
Key Differences:
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Issuing Authorities
An Apostille requires certification only from a designated competent authority (such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its authorized local branches).
In contrast, consular legalization involves two steps: authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by the embassy or consulate of the destination country. -
Scope of Use
Apostilles are valid in all member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention, as well as in certain non-member countries that recognize the convention.
Consular legalization, however, is only valid for the specific country for which it was issued—it will not be accepted in other jurisdictions. -
Document Appearance
Apostilles and consular legalizations differ in layout and format, depending on the authorities involved. Apostilles typically follow a standardized template under the Hague Convention, while consular legalizations may vary by embassy.
So, Which One Do You Need?
If your document will be used between countries that are both members of the Hague Apostille Convention, then an Apostille is sufficient.
However, if either country is not a Hague member, consular legalization is required.
In short:
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Use an Apostille when both countries recognize the Hague Convention.
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Use Consular Legalization if at least one of the countries does not.
This ensures your document will be officially accepted by the relevant authorities in the destination country.
How Much Does an Apostille Cost in China?
The total cost of obtaining an Apostille includes two main components: notarization fees and Apostille processing fees.
Notarization fees vary depending on several factors, including the type of document, the applicant’s residence place, the destination country or region, the required language for translation, and the processing timeline (standard or expedited).
Apostille processing fees depend mainly on the destination country or region, as well as whether you choose standard or expedited service.
For a personalized quote based on your specific needs, feel free to contact us—we’re happy to assist.
FAQ about Apostille in China
Can an Apostille Be Verified?
Yes, Apostilles can be verified. The issuing authority keeps a formal record of each Apostille, including the date of issuance, reference number, and the name of the signatory. If needed, the recipient can contact the issuing office to confirm that the details on the Apostille match the official record.
In China, Apostilles (also known as Certificates of Additional Authentication) issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or authorized local Foreign Affairs Offices can be verified online via the official platform:
http://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VERIFY/
Is Consular Legalization Still Needed After an Apostille?
No, not if the document is being used between countries that are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. It’s important to note that for countries that are not parties to the Convention, the traditional consular legalization process remains in effect. This includes certification by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed by the relevant embassy or consulate.
True Words at Your Service
Due to the high demand for Apostille services from our clients, True Words has established partnerships with notarial offices and FAOs in various provinces to handle the requests for Apostille in China.
At True Words, we can assist with notarization and legalization services across various provinces and cities in China. The entire process can be handled remotely and online—no need to visit any office in person.
Simply send us scanned copies of the required documents, and we’ll take care of the rest. All notarizations are issued by official, licensed notary offices, ensuring full compliance and authenticity. Once completed, your notarized documents will be securely delivered to your address by express mail.
Hassle-free, efficient, and fully reliable—let us simplify the process for you.
Hague Convention Countries (Updated List)
HCCH Members & Other Connected Parties
As mentioned above, whether a document is eligible for Apostille depends on whether the countries involved in its use and issuance are members of the Hague Convention or recognize Apostilles under the Convention. Below is the list of contracting parties to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (as of October 23, 2023):
Asia (22 countries):
China, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan
Africa (16 countries):
Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Eswatini, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia
Europe (44 countries):
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
North America (21 countries):
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States
South America (12 countries):
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
Oceania (10 countries):
Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu
