China joined the Hague Convention in November 2023 — apostille now valid from Hague member countries. But non-Hague origins (Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh) still need the full Chinese Embassy chain. We assess and manage your route.
Step 1 of 4
What country issued your document?
Nationals from Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other non-Hague countries still need the full consular legalization chain for China despite China's 2023 Hague accession. We specialize in these complex chains.
Companies from non-Hague countries (Canada, Pakistan, etc.) registering WFOEs or joint ventures in China need full consular legalization of corporate documents through the Chinese Embassy chain.
Couples where one or both parties hold documents from non-Hague countries need consular legalization for Chinese civil affairs marriage registration.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original document from your country | Your country's issuing authority | Before process starts | Note: China joined the Hague Convention in November 2023. If your home country also has apostille, you may now be able to use the apostille route instead of consular legalization. We assess your specific case. |
| Home country authentication (apostille or state-level attestation) | Competent authority in your home country | Varies by country | For Hague member countries: apostille is now accepted for China. For non-Hague countries: home country MOFA/state-level attestation remains required before Chinese Embassy submission. |
| Chinese Embassy or Consulate legalization (for non-Hague origins or where still required) | Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country | 5–15 business days | For documents from non-Hague countries (Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.), Chinese Embassy legalization is still required. |
| Certified Chinese translation | Certified translator (Mandarin Chinese) | 3–5 business days | China requires certified Chinese translation of all foreign documents. |
China joined the Hague Convention in November 2023. We determine whether your home country's apostille is now sufficient for China, or whether consular legalization is still required based on your document origin and specific Chinese authority.
We obtain the appropriate home country authentication — apostille (if Hague member) or state/MOFA attestation (if non-Hague) — through our country-specific partner network.
For non-Hague origins or where Chinese Embassy legalization is still required by the specific Chinese authority, we submit to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Certified Chinese translation is arranged for all documents. Your complete authenticated document set is delivered ready for Chinese authorities.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
It depends on your home country. If your document is from a Hague member country (US, UK, EU, Australia, etc.), you can now use apostille for China without Embassy legalization. If your document is from a non-Hague country (Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.), Chinese Embassy legalization is still required because those countries cannot issue apostilles.
For non-Hague origin countries: (1) home country state/provincial authentication, (2) home country MOFA or federal authentication, (3) Chinese Embassy or Consulate legalization in your home country, (4) certified Chinese translation. This full chain remains mandatory regardless of China's 2023 Hague accession.
Yes. Certified Chinese (Mandarin) translation is required for all foreign documents used in China for official purposes, regardless of the authentication method used (apostille or consular legalization).
Yes. You can always use the consular legalization route (through Chinese Embassy in your country) even if your country has apostille. Some Chinese employers or authorities may specifically request the Embassy-legalized format. We advise on which route is best for your specific Chinese authority.
It varies significantly by home country. Typically: home country authentication (1–3 weeks) + Chinese Embassy legalization (5–15 business days) + Chinese translation (3–5 days) = 5–8 weeks total.
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