As international activities become more frequent, the need for cross-border document use continues to grow. To simplify procedures, improve efficiency, and reduce costs, the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (hereinafter referred to as the “Convention”) officially entered into force in China on November 7, 2023.
This means that public documents issued in China no longer require consular legalisation to be used in other contracting states—an Apostille certificate, as prescribed by the Convention, is sufficient. Similarly, documents from other contracting states can be used in China with only their respective Apostille. This marks a significant step for China in international document authentication, offering more convenient services to both individuals and businesses.
Where to Apply for an Apostille in China
Under the Convention, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (MFA) is the competent authority for issuing Apostille certificates. The MFA has also authorized provincial, autonomous region, and municipal Foreign Affairs Offices (FAOs) to handle Apostilles for public documents issued within their respective jurisdictions.
Applicants should contact their local FAO to apply. A full list of addresses and contact details is available via the MFA’s official website.
Application Procedure
● Prepare Documents: Gather the original public document and its copy, depending on the purpose of use.
● Notarization: Some documents may require notarization before authentication.
● Submit Application: Apply in person at the local FAO.
● Pay Fees: Pay the required authentication fees.
● Collect Apostille: Pick up the Apostille certificate within the designated timeframe.
● Online Verification: To ensure the authenticity of the Apostille, you can verify it online.
How to Verify an Apostille
As required by the Convention, each contracting state must maintain a register of issued Apostilles and provide verification upon request. For Apostilles issued by China, you may:
●Visit the Consular Service website (http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/) and go to the “Document Verification” section.
● Use the China Consular Authentication/Apostille Verification System by entering the Apostille number and sticker number.
● Scan the QR code printed on the Apostille or visit https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VERIFY/ on your mobile device.
To verify Apostilles issued by other contracting states, contact their respective competent authorities. A full list is available on the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) website:
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/print1/?cid=41
You may also consult the Chinese MFA’s reference list for guidance.
The implementation of the Convention significantly enhances convenience for Chinese citizens and businesses engaging in international affairs. By simplifying procedures, shortening processing time, and reducing costs, it strengthens China’s connectivity with other contracting states. We recommend that individuals and organizations with international document needs stay informed and make full use of this policy to ensure smooth document recognition abroad.