When marriage certificates or divorce certificates are used internationally, they typically require Apostille certification to ensure their legality and validity in Hague Convention member states. For instance, when processing immigration, visa applications, marriage registration, property division, etc., the target country usually mandates a certified marriage or divorce certificate. The following is the general procedure for the Hague certification of marriage/divorce certificates:

1. Obtain the original or official copy of the marriage/divorce certificate

First, make sure you have the original copy of the marriage certificate or divorce certificate or the official copy issued by the relevant agency. If the document is outdated or damaged, it is advisable to apply for a new marriage/divorce certificate from the issuing authority.

2. Pre-authentication (if required)

Some countries require a marriage or divorce certificate to go through the following steps before applying for Hague certification:

-Notarization: Some countries (such as the United States, Canada, and Australia) may require a Notary Public to notarize the documents.

-Government department certification: In some countries, documents must first be certified by relevant government departments. For example:

◆ United States: Certification is usually required from the Secretary of State’s Office.

◆ China (only for documents used in Hong Kong and Macao): Certification by the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.

◆ Germany: Certification by the local court is required.

◆ France: Certification by the Administrative Court of Appeal (Cour d’Appel) in each province is required.

3. Submit to the Apostille authority

Depending on the country, Apostille certification is administered by different government authorities:

-China: Apostille certification is issued by the local foreign affairs offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

-United States: Apostille certification is handled by the Secretary of State’s Office at the state level.

-UK: Apostille certification is administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

-France: Apostille certification is processed by the Bureau des legalisations within the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in each province.

-Germany: Apostille certification is handled by the Federal Foreign Affairs Bureau(Bundesamt für auswärtige Angelegenheiten).

Contact information of China Local Foreign Affairs Office.

4. Receive Hague certification documents

After the certification is completed, you can receive an Apostille sealed academic certificate. This document can be used directly in other Hague member states without additional certification.

5. Translation (if required)

If the target country requires a birth certificate in a specific language (e.g., Chinese in China, French in France), an official translation may be needed, with a translation certification attached. Notarized translation is typically arranged in the home country, while certified translation or sworn translation may be required overseas.

Other precautions

● Non-Hague Convention States: If neither the target country nor the document-issuing country is a member of the Hague Convention, consular certification (not Apostille) is required.

Processing time: Processing times vary by country, typically ranging from several days to weeks. It is advisable to apply in advance and confirm the timeline with the relevant authority.

Please contact us for details.