When commercial documents are used internationally for matters such as international trade, multinational investment, overseas business expansion, or international litigation and other legal proceedings, they typically require Apostille certification to ensure their legality and validity in Hague Convention member states. The following is the general procedure for obtaining Hague certification for commercial documents:

1. Obtain the original commercial documents

First, make sure you have the originals commercial documents.

Commercial documents eligible for Apostille certification include, but are not limited to:

◆ Company registration documents (business license, articles of association, shareholder resolutions, etc.)

◆ Qualification certificates (tax registration certificate, bank credit certificate, ISO certification, etc.)

◆ Contracts and agreements (procurement contracts, agency agreements, joint venture agreements, etc.)

◆ Financial and tax documents (audit reports, financial statements, tax payment certificates, etc.)

◆ Authorization documents (power of attorney, legal statements, etc.)

2. Pre-authentication (if required)

In some countries, commercial documents must be certified by relevant institutions before proceeding with Apostille certification. For example:

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

-Industry and commerce certification: For instance, China’s Market Supervision Administration (formerly Industry and Commerce Bureau) or the UK’s Companies House.

-Tax or financial institution authentication: Financial documents may require authentication by tax authorities or banks (e.g., via official seal).

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.