On March 8, 2023, China officially acceded to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (hereinafter referred to as the “Convention”). The Convention officially entered into force for China on November 7, 2023.
The Convention, formulated by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), is the most widely adopted international treaty for simplifying the authentication of public documents across borders. According to its provisions, starting from November 7, 2023, public documents issued in China—such as birth certificates, diplomas, business licenses, court rulings, etc.—intended for use in other contracting states only require a single Apostille certificate, eliminating the previously required dual certification process by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the destination country’s embassy or consulate in China.
As outlined in the implementation rules issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Apostille certificate will be issued centrally by the Ministry, with support from local foreign affairs offices and designated agencies. Applicants only need to submit the notarized original document and relevant materials to obtain the certification efficiently.
Currently, the Convention covers 125 countries and regions worldwide, including major economies such as the European Union member states, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, and is expected to expand further in the future.
China’s accession to the Hague Apostille Convention represents a milestone in promoting high-level opening-up. With the new regulations in effect as of November 7, cross-border exchanges will become more convenient, injecting new momentum into building a more facilitated and business-friendly international environment.