Ø Step 1
Have your document notarized by a local notary public unless it is an original certified copy/certification issued by a competent Federal/ State/local Office.
Ø Step 2
The document needs further to be authenticated by the Secretary of the State where it is executed. Some states require that the document be certified by the County Clerk first. For Federally issued certifications, skip this step, go directly to Step 3.
Ø Step 3
If one of the Chinese Consulate-Generals holds consular jurisdiction (click to check our service area map) over your state, you may submit your document to that Consulate-General for final legalization; if not, please get your document authenticated by the U. S. State Department before the Chinese Embassy can finally legalize it. (Please note that your legalization application may be rejected by the Embassy/Consulate General that does not hold consular jurisdiction over the state where your document is executed.)
NOTE:
NOTE:
1. Please make sure you have followed the all the steps required for authentication before submitting your document to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General for final legalization.
2. Your document must be authentic, intact and legitimate. The Embassy/Consulate-Generals will NOT authenticate a document that contains illegal contents under Chinese laws or may cause potential threats to China's national or public interests.
3. A document containing two or more pages must be bound properly and securely, with sealing wax or paging seal/embossed seal to ensure the integrity of the document. The Embassy / Consulate-Generals will NOT authenticate a document if it is found illegitimate, or in any way forged, counterfeited, fraudulent or altered.
4. Single affidavits/certificates intended to be used for marriage registration in China and certain adoption documents regarding marital status, health status, or criminal records are only valid for six months from the date of issuance. The Embassy / Consulate-Generals will NOT authenticate a document if it becomes invalid.
5. The Embassy / Consulate-Generals will NOT authenticate Chinese passports, Chinese Resident Identity Cards, Chinese Driver's Licenses or other documents issued by Chinese Domestic Authorities.
5. The Embassy / Consulate-Generals will NOT authenticate Chinese passports, Chinese Resident Identity Cards, Chinese Driver's Licenses or other documents issued by Chinese Domestic Authorities.
· Basic Documents to be Submitted:
1. One duly completed and signed Application Form of Consular Legalization of the Embassy/Consulate of the People's Republic of China( please fill out on computer, then print and sign).
1. One duly completed and signed Application Form of Consular Legalization of the Embassy/Consulate of the People's Republic of China( please fill out on computer, then print and sign).
2. The original document to be authenticated.
3. The photocopy of the authentication page issued by the Secretary of State (the page with the signature and seal of the Secretary of State).
4.If the application is submitted by the applicant him/herself, the applicant needs to provide the original and photocopy of his/her valid passport or ID(For Chinese applicants, please provide valid Chinese passport; For American applicants, please provide valid passport or driver's license; For applicants of other countries, please provide the valid passport).
5. If your application is submitted by an agent, please complete Section 2 on the application form and include one copy of the applicant's valid passport as well as the original and photocopy of the agent's passport/driver's license.
5. If your application is submitted by an agent, please complete Section 2 on the application form and include one copy of the applicant's valid passport as well as the original and photocopy of the agent's passport/driver's license.
6. Other supporting documents a consular officer may request.
Additional requirements for particular documents besides the basic documents listed above:
Documents to be Authenticated |
Precautions |
Additional requirements |
Marriage Certificate |
The application should be submitted by
one or both parties of the marriage as
the applicant. |
Additional requirements besides the basic
documents required:
The photocopies of the IDs of both parties
of the marriage. |
Birth Certificate |
The application should be submitted by the
legal guardian of the child. Please use the
information of the child as the applicant
and that of the guardian as the agent in
the application form. |
---- |
Death Certificate |
The application of Death Certificate
authentication should be submitted by
a near relative of the decedent. The
applicant information should be that
of the decedent, and the form need
to be signed by the near relative who
submits the application as the agent
whose information should be filled in
on the form as the agent. |
Additional requirements besides the basic
documents required:
1.Relationship certificate
2. Photocopies of IDs Of the decedent
and the near relative.
3. The power of attorney from the near
relative of the decedent is required if the
applicant is submitted by some agent other
than the near relative. |
Business Documents |
The application should be submitted by the
company/organization which is the lawful
holder of the documents. |
Additional requirements besides the basic
documents required:
1. The certificate of registration or
good-standing of the company/organization.
2. The ID photocopy of the
company/organization Legal Representative. |
· How to apply
1. Please submit your application to Chinese Embassy/ Consulate General as described in Step 3 of Authentication Procedures. You may submit your application in person, or use an agent (Power of Attorney not necessary). Please note that you may be required to come to the Visa Office in person to have an interview as deemed necessary by a consular officer.
2. Walk-in service is available during office hours. Appointment is NOT required for submission or collection of your authentication documents.
1. Please submit your application to Chinese Embassy/ Consulate General as described in Step 3 of Authentication Procedures. You may submit your application in person, or use an agent (Power of Attorney not necessary). Please note that you may be required to come to the Visa Office in person to have an interview as deemed necessary by a consular officer.
2. Walk-in service is available during office hours. Appointment is NOT required for submission or collection of your authentication documents.
3. Mail-in authentication applications are NOT accepted.
4. You or your agent will be able to pick up your documents on the date printed on your Pick-up slip, unless otherwise notified by the Visa Office. Mail-back document service is NOT provided.
5. You must pay the authentication fee once your application is processed and approved.
· Processing Time
Regular service: 4 business days
Express service: 2-3 business days
Rush service: 1 business day. Available only in extreme emergencies and subject to approval by the consular officer.
Note:
The above processing time is average and for reference only. Some applications may require longer processing time that a pick-up date cannot be confirmed until notified by the Visa Office.
Regular service: 4 business days
Express service: 2-3 business days
Rush service: 1 business day. Available only in extreme emergencies and subject to approval by the consular officer.
Note:
The above processing time is average and for reference only. Some applications may require longer processing time that a pick-up date cannot be confirmed until notified by the Visa Office.
· Fees
1. Regular Service
For Chinese applicants:
Civil documents: $8 per item
Commercial documents: $16 per item
For applicants of other countries:
Civil documents: $25 per item
Commercial documents: $50 per item
2. Express Service: an additional fee of $25 per item
3. Rush service: an additional fee of $37 per item
1. Regular Service
For Chinese applicants:
Civil documents: $8 per item
Commercial documents: $16 per item
For applicants of other countries:
Civil documents: $25 per item
Commercial documents: $50 per item
2. Express Service: an additional fee of $25 per item
3. Rush service: an additional fee of $37 per item
· Methods of Payment
1. You must pay your authentication fee upon collection of your documents.
2. (For walk-in service) Acceptable methods of payment are: credit card (Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay only), money order, cashier's check, WeChat Pay, Alipay.
3. Please make your check or money order payable to "Chinese Consulate General in New York"
4. Please make sure you have the exact and correct amount written on your check/money order. No erroneous check will be accepted.
5. Cash, personal check or online payment is NOT accepted. No credit card other than a Visa or Mastercard is accepted.
1. You must pay your authentication fee upon collection of your documents.
2. (For walk-in service) Acceptable methods of payment are: credit card (Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay only), money order, cashier's check, WeChat Pay, Alipay.
3. Please make your check or money order payable to "Chinese Consulate General in New York"
4. Please make sure you have the exact and correct amount written on your check/money order. No erroneous check will be accepted.
5. Cash, personal check or online payment is NOT accepted. No credit card other than a Visa or Mastercard is accepted.