Apostille and Authentication for Use in China
What is authentication for use in China?
According to the Chinese Consulate, “In accordance with international practice and consular practice in China, the purpose of consular authentication is to ensure that notarial deeds issued in one country can be acknowledged by relevant authorities in another country, and the deeds can have its due legal effect, which shall not be affected by doubts on the authenticity of the seal or signature on the deeds.
“The Chinese Consulate General in the United States can authenticate notarial deeds and other documents issued by relevant authorities of the United States for use in China. The deeds or documents should be certified by the Authentication Office of the Secretary of the State first.”
Most documents are certified by the California Secretary of State staff in either Sacramento or Los Angeles and then the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. Federal documents need to be authenticated by the US State Department and the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC. SF Notary + Apostille can help with either process.
Note: The document authentication counter at the Chinese Consulate in SF is closed to the public at this time, and they are taking several weeks to review and authenticate documents. Please contact us for the latest estimated turnaround times.
How do I get my document apostilled and legalized for use in China?
1. Email us for a price quote.
Pricing varies depending on your location, the turnaround time needed, and the shipping destination. For a quick price quote, send an email to [email protected] with the following information:
- Your name, address, and phone number
- The name, address, phone number, and email address of the recipient (if you’d like us to ship it to a third party)
- The number of documents that need to be authenticated
- The date by which you need the documents authenticated
- A statement that the destination country is China
We will respond ASAP with a price quote and payment instructions.
After you agree to your quoted price, we will request some additional documentation. The Chinese consulate and embassy have very strict, frequently updated policies regarding applications and supporting documentation. Don’t worry–we’ll make sure we obtain everything needed to get your authentication issued as quickly as possible.
2. Get the document notarized.
Most documents must be signed in front of a notary public. If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, we can come to your location and notarize the document for you.
3. Get the document to us.
If we notarize the document, we’ll simply take it with us. If someone else notarizes it, you can send it to our office:
SF Notary + Apostille
315 Montgomery Street, 10th floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Please include a check or money order made out to “AMN SF” or call us at +1 (415) 655-9455 to arrange credit-card payment.
4. We’ll take it from there.
We will obtain an apostille from to the California Secretary of State or the US Secretary of State. Then we will obtain authentication from the Chinese consulate or embassy.
We will ship the apostilled and authenticated document to you or directly to a party in the receiving country via FedEx Priority.
For more information or to place your order, please email [email protected] or call +1 (415) 655-9455.
Disclaimer: Information on this website is for informational purposes only. These instructions are based on our knowledge and experience and are meant to be helpful; however, they might contain errors. Please let us know if you encounter mistakes so that we can promptly correct them. SF Notary + Apostille is not a law firm, and its agents are not attorneys. Please contact a licensed attorney or your local bar association for counsel on legal matters.