China Document Notarization, Apostille & Legalization

We receive frequent requests for Chinese birth certificate notarization and apostille. Here’s exactly what you need to know:

 

1. Standard Medical Birth Certificate (出生医学证明)
Issued to children born in China after 1996.

• Notarized by a qualified Chinese notary office (with English translation)

• Then apostilled by MFA or provincial FAO

• Ready for use in most countries (including US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia)

 

2. Notarial Birth Certificate (公证出生证明)
Required for people born in China before medical birth certificates became standard (typically pre-1996) or whose birth was never formally registered with a medical certificate.

This is the most common request we receive from overseas Chinese and former Chinese citizens.

 

How we obtain a Notarial Birth Certificate:

• Application at a notary office with foreign-related authorization

• Supporting documents usually include: Hukou record, kinship proof, medical records or old identity documents

• Notary issues an official Notarial Birth Certificate stating name at birth, date/place of birth, and parents’ names

• Followed by apostille for international use

• Process is individualized depending on what historical records are available

 

3. Birth Certificates for Children Born to Expats in China
We assist foreign parents whose children were born in China (mixed or fully foreign couples) in obtaining the Chinese birth certificate, notarizing it, and apostilling it for use back home or for dual citizenship/passport applications.

 

Important note: The process and required supporting documents vary slightly by province and notary office. We coordinate directly with the correct notary and handle translations, submissions, and follow-up — saving you time and avoiding common rejection issues.