| Instructions on Legalization |
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Legalization means the authentication of the last signature or seal / stamp of the relevant authority affixed on a document. A legalization in no way attests to the authenticity of the contents of a document. Contents: 2. Requirements for legalization 4. Adoption 6. FAQs
To have a document which was executed in the United Kingdom be accepted in the People's Republic of China, The document shall first be notarized by a British Notary Public, then authenticated by the Legalization Office of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and finally be authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. If the document was issued by an office of British government or a public institution, it can be directly sent to FCO office for authentication before it undergoes authentication by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. Before submit your documents, please complete a legalization application form. It is available at request at our office, or to download at this website. The original document authenticated by the Legalization Office of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its complete duplicate (including FCO Apostille page). Document which contains more than two pages should be tightly banded with ribbons and notary public seal should be produced to avoid any forge behavior. Documents for private affairs, the passport and valid visa of the applicant together with the photocopies of the above are required. All applications can be submitted in person or through a courier, but a power of attorney of the applicant is required. Application by post is not accepted. Notes: Please be advised that the legalization only confirms that the signature of an official of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the apostille attached to your document is genuine. It does not mean that the contents of the document are correct or this office approves of the contents. According to the Sino-British Agreement, Hague Convention is still effective in Hong Kong after July 1, 1997. If the document has already been legalized by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, it can be used in HK without legalization of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. Documents executed in Crown dependencies, including Isle of Man, Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, can be accepted after legalized by the local Lieutenant Governors. Documents from British overseas territories, including Virgin Island and Cayman Islands, should be legalized by the Legalization Office of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office before authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. Please note that this Consulate General will, under no circumstances, be responsible for the delay of the application processing due to inadequate documents, since some couriers are reluctant to open envelopes containing the application materials, and may not answer questions. On the receipt of the application, the Consulate General will only issue the applicant with a collection slip, rather than signing any document. Overseas Chinese citizens get married in UK 1. The Chinese government encourages overseas Chinese citizens to register their marriages in the country in which they live. 2. Marriage certificates can be used in China after accomplishing the steps of Legalization. British citizen who has never been married apply for legalization of documents in order to get married in China 1. One properly filled-in and duly signed application form for legalization. 2. A Single Status Certificate obtained from Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and authenticated by the FCO and its duplicate. 3. Proof of identity with photo (such as valid passport) and its duplicate. British citizen divorced in UK apply for legalization of documents in order to get married in China 1. One properly filled-in and duly signed application form for legalization. 2. A Single Status Certificate obtained from Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and authenticated by the FCO and its duplicate. 3. The Decree issued by the Court of UK and authenticated by FCO and its duplicate. Those divorced in UK whose former spouse is a Chinese citizen shall apply to a competent court in China to have the Decree recognized after the legalization by the Embassy. Therefore, the applicant divorced with a non-Chinese citizen shall provide a certificate in relation to the nationality of his / her former spouse and the duplicate copy. Or the Death Certificate authenticated by FCO in relation to his/her deceased spouse and the duplicate copy alternatively. 4. Proof of identity with photo (such as valid passport) and its duplicate. Sino-UK official adoption relations have been set up. China Center of Adoption Affairs is the authorized organization of the Chinese government and Department for Education and Skills is that of the British government. All the applications regarding adoption should be submitted to the Embassy or Consulate General by the Department for Education and Skills rather than anybody else. The legalization fee is £23 pounds for each commercial document or document related to estate or property; £12 pounds for each document of the other types. Normal service takes 5 working days. Please pay in cash or postal order. 1. Is China a party to the 1969 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents? No. At present time, China is not a party to the above-mentioned Convention, but the Convention is applicable in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR. 2. Does the Consulate bear responsibility for the contents of the documents authenticated? No. Consular authentication by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General is merely the attestation to the veracity of the signature of an official and seal or stamp of FCO attached to the document. Neither the consul nor the Embassy or Consulate General verifies as to the accuracy, truth, legality or otherwise the contents of the document. Nevertheless, an authentication application would be declined if the contents of a document contravene laws or regulations of the People's Republic of China. 3. Does the legalization have expire date? Yes. A Single Status Certificate must have the legalization done by the FCO and the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General within 3 months after its issuance. The Single Status Certificate will have a validity of 6 months after being authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General. The documents related to marriage, health, taxbill and police clearance for the purpose of adoption must be legalized by the FCO and the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General within 6 months after their issuance. 4. Can I apply for notarization from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General for documents executed in China? No. Documents executed in China to be used in foreign countries must complete the following procedures: (1) Documents should be notarized by a Notary Public in China; (2) Documents should be authenticated by a provincial Office of Foreign Affairs Office or the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; (3) Documents should be authenticated by an Embassy or Consulate General of the relevant country. Chinese Embassies or Consulates do not notarize or authenticate documents executed in China. 5. Can application for legalization of documents be mailed to Chinese Embassy or Consulate General? No. The Embassy or Consulate General does not accept application by mail. Therefore, the applicant or his designated representative must come to the Embassy or Consulate General in person. The information above is subject to change without notice. |