Apostille for China · Apostille guide

U.S. Apostille Processing Guide: State-Level, Federal-Level Documents and China Usage Requirements

China will apply the Hague Apostille Convention from November 7, 2023, but documents must still select the U.S. competent authority according to the issuance level.

First correct an outdated statement

China has applied the Convention on Abolition of the Requirement for Authentication of Foreign Public Documents from November 7, 2023. When U.S. official documents that comply with the scope of the Convention are used in mainland China, they are usually issued Apostille through the competent U.S. authorities, and the old Chinese consular authentication chain is no longer used. However, the receiving unit may still require specific originals, translations or supplementary materials.

State level and federal level are two paths

Birth, marriage, state court and state corporate records are usually processed according to the issuing state; FBI, federal agency and some consular records are usually processed according to the federal route. The criterion is the actual issuing subject on the document, not the applicant’s address.

Complete four confirmations before processing

1. Which specific document is accepted by the Chinese receiving unit;
2. The version requirements of the original, certified copy or notarized document;
3. Can the competent authority verify the current signature and seal;
4. The scope of the translation, the number of copies and the method of submission.

What Apostille proves and does not prove

It usually proves the signature, the identity of the signer or the source of the seal, and does not judge the facts of the text, the validity of authorization, marital status or educational equivalence. Any promise that obtaining an Apostille guarantees acceptance at any institution nationwide is inaccurate.

Service Process

Upload the pre-review copy after placing the order; confirm the file type and path and then send the original to the exclusive address. After completing the submission, you can check the progress and return logistics in the customer center.