When a death certificate is used internationally for legal proceedings such as property inheritance, insurance claims, immigration affairs, or other legal matters, it typically requires Apostille certification to ensure its legality and validity in Hague Convention member states. The following is the general procedure for obtaining Hague certification for a death certificate:

1. Obtain the original or official copy of the death certificate

First, make sure you have the original copy of your death certificate or apply for a certified copy from the relevant authority.

2. Pre-authentication (if required)

In some countries, death certificates require pre-authentication before Apostille certification, including:

-Notarization: Some countries (e.g., the U.S., Canada, Australia) may require notarization by a notary public.

-Government department authentication: In some countries, documents must first be authenticated by relevant authorities, e.g.:

◆ United States: Certification by the Secretary of State is required.

◆ UK: Validity confirmation by the General Register Office (GRO) or local government.

◆ France: Authentication by the municipal government or court.

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.