One more step, when your document needs it.

Does your receiving authority require it?

An Apostille authenticates the official signature or seal on a qualifying public document. It does not determine whether the underlying facts meet an immigration, employment or other application requirement. Start with the receiving organization’s instructions rather than assuming every China PCC needs an Apostille.

For a qualifying document moving between places where the Apostille Convention applies, the Apostille route replaces the usual chain of consular legalisation. Other destinations or excluded document types may need a different route. We check the relevant destination and document.

Who issues a mainland China Apostille?

The competent authority is China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its entrusted local Foreign Affairs Offices. Local offices operate within their authorized jurisdiction; the office preparing the notarial document and the office issuing the Apostille have different roles.

The HCCH directory lists Hubei, Guangxi, Guangdong, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shenzhen among the entrusted offices. Confirm the current acceptance counter and territorial scope for the document actually issued.

What needs to be ready first?

• The receiving country, organization and purpose, including any written format or language instructions.
• The qualifying Chinese public or notarial document, with a consistent name and complete seals or signatures.
• The number of originals and required translations.
• Authority-specific authorization and identity requirements for filing or collection.

For PCC cases, check whether the police result must first be made into the appropriate notarial document. Sending an ordinary scan for preliminary review is different from submitting the document for an Apostille.

Plan for originals and delivery

We confirm the issuing office’s current paper-original or electronic-document acceptance before quoting the route. An online verification system or electronic Apostille pilot does not establish scan-only eligibility for every personal document. Keep an original-document shipping step in your plan until it has been ruled out for your case.

Avoid removing staples, binding or attached pages from an issued notarial package. Ask for a review copy first, then agree where the originals will be sent and who will receive them.

Check the finished certificate

Mainland China provides an official legalisation / Apostille verification system. Compare the underlying document, applicant name, issuance details and the package you requested. The verifier confirms the authentication record; it does not replace the receiving organization’s assessment.

Our quote separates coordination, notarial or translation work, authentication and delivery so you can see which stage you are purchasing.

More about your application

Requirements can change and depend on your residence history, the accepting office and the intended use. We check the applicable requirements when assessing your case.