1. Confirm Document Type and Destination Requirements
Eligible Documents: Includes public documents intended for cross-border use such as birth certificates, academic diplomas, company registration documents, contracts, certificates of free sale, etc.
Destination Country Policy: Verify whether the destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (currently 125+ countries). For non-member states (e.g., Canada, UAE), traditional consular legalisation is still required.
2. Prepare the Required Materials
Basic Documents: Original and copy of the document; personal or business identification (e.g., national ID, business license).
Special Requirements:
Documents not in Chinese must be accompanied by an officially recognized translation bearing a translator’s seal.
Certain documents (e.g., academic diplomas) may require prior verification by the Ministry of Education or relevant local authorities.
3. Begin the Application Process
3.1 Notarization
Submit your materials to a designated notary office (usually in the document’s place of issue or your place of residence) for verification of authenticity and legality. Some platforms (e.g., the “Consular Services” mini-program on Alipay) support online submissions using photos or scans for preliminary review.
3.2 Apostille Issuance
Once notarized, submit the notarized document to the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or an authorized local Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) to apply for the Apostille certificate.
3.3 Translation and Official Seal (If Required)
Documents not in English may need to be translated by a certified translation agency with an official seal. Some countries (e.g., EU member states) may require bilingual notarization.
3.4 Apostille Stamp
Upon approval, the Apostille stamp will be affixed by the MFA or designated FAO, certifying the document for international use under the Hague Convention.
3.5 Submit to Authorities in the Destination Country (If Applicable)
In some cases, additional submission to local authorities in the destination country is required. For example, a Certificate of Free Sale may need to be presented to that country’s market supervision or regulatory body.