| EXPAT LEGAL
China Document Notarization,
Apostille & Legalization
We assist expats, mixed couples, and overseas Chinese with notarization, apostille, and full legalization of Chinese and foreign documents for international use.
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Updated: 11 June 2026 by Flora Huang, Partner at Shanghai Kaimao LLP
Why Clients Work With Us
Led by Flora Huang, Partner at Shanghai Kaimao LLP, our team has extensive experience handling document authentication for international clients. We regularly manage complex cases involving birth certificates, marriage/divorce records, and other official documents required by foreign authorities.
We handle everything end-to-end — even when you are living overseas.
Common Documents We Handle
Chinese Documents for Use Abroad
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Birth certificates (standard and notarial)
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Marriage and divorce certificates
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No-criminal-record certificates
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Academic qualifications and diplomas
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Powers of attorney, affidavits, and company documents
Foreign Documents for Use in China
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Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates
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Police clearance / background checks
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Court orders and notarial true copies
China Joined the Hague Apostille Convention (November 2023)
Since 7 November 2023, most Chinese public documents can be used directly in other Hague Convention member countries once they carry an official Apostille issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or an authorized provincial Foreign Affairs Office (FAO).
We guide you on whether your document needs a simple apostille or the older full legalization chain.
Birth Certificates
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.
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Notarized by a qualified Chinese notary office (with English translation)
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Then apostilled by MFA or provincial FAO
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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:
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Application at a notary office with foreign-related authorization
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Supporting documents usually include: Hukou record, kinship proof, medical records or old identity documents
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Notary issues an official Notarial Birth Certificate stating name at birth, date/place of birth, and parents’ names
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Followed by apostille for international use
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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.
Marriage Certificates
We frequently handle notarization and apostille of Chinese marriage certificates (the red booklet) for use abroad—immigration, citizenship acquisition, name changes, property, or family matters. Our team manages the full process end-to-end so you avoid bureaucracy, delays, and rejections.
Standard Red Booklet (结婚证)
Issued by the local Civil Affairs Bureau. We arrange notarization at a qualified notary office (with accurate English or other required translation verifying the marriage details), followed by apostille from the MFA or provincial FAO. The result is ready for Hague countries and most foreign authorities. For non-Hague countries, we handle the consular legalization process instead.
If you don't have the original (lost, damaged, or never received):
With a Power of Attorney, we can apply on your behalf at the original Civil Affairs Bureau for a copy of the marriage registration file from their archives. This allows us to produce either:
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A notarial marriage certificate (结婚公证书): A formal notary-issued document stating the facts of your marriage (names, date, place, etc.), based on official records.
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A notarized copy of the marriage registration file: A certified photocopy/extract of the official registry entry with notary verification.
Both serve as strong evidence of marriage and can be apostilled or legalized for international use. The notarial certificate is often preferred for its clear, narrative format summarizing the key facts, while the notarized copy provides a direct, authenticated version of the registry record itself. We coordinate everything—including translations, submissions, and courier—to deliver the completed documents quickly and compliantly.
Step-by-Step Process for Chinese Documents (Notarization + Apostille)
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Gather original documents (or apply for replacement if needed)
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Notarization at a qualified Chinese notary office (we coordinate with the right office)
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Apostille by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or authorized provincial Foreign Affairs Office
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Optional consular legalization (only required for non-Hague countries)
We manage the entire chain — including courier service back to you anywhere in the world.
Foreign Documents for Use in China
If you need a foreign-issued document (birth certificate, marriage certificate, power of attorney, etc.) legalized for use in China, we guide you through the exact steps required by your home country’s authorities and the Chinese consulate/embassy.
Ready to Get Your Documents Processed Correctly?
Stop worrying about rejected applications, missing apostilles, or incorrect translations.
Contact Flora Huang directly for a free, confidential review of your specific document needs.
Email: florahuang@kaimaolegal.com (preferred)
Phone: +86-181-2115-5305
Office: Suite 802-805, Cloud Nine Plaza, 1118 West Yan’an Road, Shanghai, China
Request Your Free Document Review →
We respond quickly — usually same day or next business day.
