How can documents be legalized for China?
What is the legalization process for China?
Why is a legalization needed?
The purpose of a chinese legalization is to have a French document recognized in China.
For expatriates, for example, legalization is often required for diplomas, criminal records and civil status documents.
And when exporting, documents such as certificates of origin, invoices and products certificates are often requested.
What types of documents can be legalized for China?
All personal documents (diplomas, civil status certificates, criminal records, etc.) and commercial documents (certificates of origin, invoices, products certificates, certificates of incorporation, articles of association, powers of attorney, etc.) issued by a French residing person or organization (with a French address) can be legalized.
Documents issued by a French public body (with « Marianne » or equivalent and signature) are directly legalizable.
Documents issued by a private person or organization must first have the signature certified by a Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall or Notary, or, in the case of documents issued by an organization, have a certified copy issued by a Town Hall or Notary.
The original document (original handwritten signature) must be legalized, unless the signature has been certified electronically (GEFI from the Chamber of Commerce), or the document is a secured electronic document issued by a French public body (e.g. Criminal Record), or if the document is a certified copy delivered by a Town Hall or Notary (some documents cannot be copied: civil status, certificates of incorporation, etc.).
A certified translation of the document into another language (usually English or Chinese) can be legalized. In that case, it is usually the translation that is legalized.
What are the different stages in the china legalization process?
The steps involved in legalizing a document for China are as follows:
- Signature certification of the document issuer’s signature by local Chamber of commerce, Township or Notary (Not required if the document is issued by a public body) or, for documents issued by an organization, certified copy delivered by Township or Notary
- Certified translation followed by translator signature certification (if a translation is required)
- Apostil (except for documents issued by a government agency directly related to a commercial or customs operation (e.g.: health certificate, free sale certificate, certificate of non-radioactivity, etc.).
- Ministère des Affaires Étrangères (for documents issued by an administration directly related to a commercial or customs operation (e.g.: health certificate, free sale certificate, certificate of non-radioactivity, etc.).
- Chinese Consulate (for documents issued by a government agency directly related to a commercial or customs operation (e.g.: health certificate, free sale certificate, certificate of non-radioactivity, etc.).
Some Specific Cases :
- Civil status documents must be original (unless electronically secured) and less than 3 months old.
- Certificates of incorporation must be original on blue watermarked paper and dated less than 3 months old
- Criminal record must be an electronic document less than 6 months old.
- For school documents issued by a public institution, certified copies issued by a Town Hall, Notary or French Consulate must be legalized.
- School documents issued by a private establishment (except RNCP diplomas or diplomas signed by the Rectorat) must have the school signature certified by the local Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall or Notary or have a Certified copy issued by a Town Hall or Notary.
- Medical certficates must have the doctor’s signature certified by the local medical association (Ordre des Médecins).
- Certified copies of court documents must be issued by the relevant court.
- Documents issued by a lawyer must have the lawyer’signature certified by the Paris Bar/Bar Association.
How much does a legalization for China cost?
The cost of legalizations for China varies and depends on the type of document and translation requested.
Example of legalization of a university diploma + criminal record:
- Certified Chinese Translator: 109 €
- Chamber of Commerce (Translator signature certification): 2×20 €
- Apostil: 2×0 €
- Service Fee: €61
TOTAL: €210 including tax (excluding shipping costs)
How can I get a quote for a legalization for China?
In order to obtain a detailed quote, please send a copy or precise description of the documents to:
legalisations@action-visas.com
Indicating :
- The country of destination
- if a translation is requested (and if so in what language)