📜 Civil Code (general rules) · Awareness case
Apostille Certification of Foreign Documents for Use in China · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: قانون التوثيق / Notarization Law of China (2005) + Hague Apostille Convention (China joined 2023)
China joined the Hague Apostille Convention as of March 2023, significantly simplifying the certification of foreign documents for use in China.
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
Since March 7, 2023, China has been a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). This means: (1) Instead of certification through the Chinese embassy abroad then the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it suffices to obtain an apostille certificate from the competent authority in the document-issuing country; (2) Apostille documents are accepted directly in China without additional procedures; (3) Certified Chinese translation is still required. Documents typically requiring apostille in China: birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, university degrees, commercial documents.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Check the competent authority for issuing apostilles in your country before sending documents. Also ensure to attach a certified Chinese translation by a licensed translator in China.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026