Apostille & Document Legalisation for China

China acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention (effective 27 November 2023), so a UK apostille is now sufficient for documents used in China. Consular legalisation by the Chinese Embassy is no longer required for most documents.

Our Fees

Apostille only£90 / document

Apostille + Solicitor Certification£120 / document

Apostille + Notarisation£180 / document

Document Drafting£100 / document

Select a document

Open a document type to see its requirements.

Power of Attorney

Details

Powers of Attorney usually need to be signed in the presence of a solicitor or notary and then apostilled before they can be used in China. The exact wording, the witnessing requirements and whether embassy legalisation is also needed depend on the authority in China receiving the document.

An English or Welsh Lasting Power of Attorney is a separate legal instrument. See the Lasting Powers of Attorney service.

Declarations

Details

Statutory declarations, affidavits and similar documents must be signed before an authorised legal professional before an apostille can be obtained for use in China. The wording should be checked against the requirements of the authority in China receiving the declaration, as these often specify particular phrasing or supporting identification.

Degree & Transcript Verification

Details

Degree certificates and academic transcripts normally need to be verified or certified before they can be apostilled for use in China. Some universities issue a verified copy directly, while others require confirmation from the awarding body. Requirements vary between employers, professional bodies and immigration authorities in China.

Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates

Details

UK birth, marriage and death certificates must normally be original or certified copies issued by the relevant register office before they can be apostilled for use in China. Photocopies are not usually accepted unless the authority in China specifically allows a solicitor-certified copy.

Company Documents

Details

Company documents such as certificates of incorporation, certificates of good standing, board resolutions and articles of association generally need to be certified by a solicitor or issued as official Companies House copies before being apostilled for use in China. Commercial documents may attract different embassy fees and requirements from personal documents.

ACRO, DBS & Police Certificates

Details

ACRO police certificates and DBS checks are commonly required for work visas, residency and employment in China. They are usually certified by a solicitor before being apostilled, and some authorities in China require the certificate to have been issued within a recent period, often three to six months.

Multiple Documents

Solicitor Certification + Apostille

First document: £120
Each additional document: £20

Notarisation + Apostille

First document: £180
Each additional document: £30

No VAT

Apostille-only work remains £90 per document. Applicable FCDO, government, embassy, consular, translation, courier or other third-party fees are separate where applicable.

Document Drafting — £100

Need a document prepared before it is certified or legalised?

I can assist with drafting certain documents, including Powers of Attorney, declarations and travel consent forms, where appropriate. The fee is £100 per document.

Certification, notarisation, apostille and third-party fees are charged separately. Complex or bespoke documents may use the alternative fee structure shown on the Legal Document Drafting page.

FCDO-Registered Signature

My signature is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for document legalisation purposes. Where eligible, documents I certify or sign can be submitted to the FCDO Legalisation Office for verification and apostille.

The FCDO Legalisation Office issues the apostille. Signature registration does not imply FCDO endorsement of the practice or make every document eligible.

How it works

1
Tell us what document you have
I confirm the appropriate route for the document and receiving authority.
2
Draft or certify the document
Where required, the document can be drafted, certified by a solicitor or notarised.
3
FCDO Apostille
Eligible documents are submitted to the FCDO Legalisation Office.
4
Receive your legalised document
The document is returned to you once the relevant process is complete.

Apostille Requirements for Documents Used in China

Since the Convention took effect for China, the apostille alone is generally accepted — making the process faster and avoiding consular fees. A small number of document types may still be subject to specific requirements, so confirm with the receiving authority if you're unsure.

Personal Documents

Powers of Attorney, declarations, academic records, civil-status certificates, travel consent forms and police certificates intended for use in China.

Commercial & Company Documents

Company records, corporate Powers of Attorney, resolutions, declarations and contracts may have different signing and evidential requirements. Confirm the required form with the receiving authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an apostille enough for documents used in China?

China is treated here as a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so a UK apostille is generally accepted without further legalisation. The receiving authority may still have its own requirements, such as translation, which should be confirmed before submission.

Does my document need to be certified by a solicitor first?

Original civil status certificates issued by a register office can usually be apostilled directly. Copies, privately prepared documents such as Powers of Attorney or declarations, and many academic and company documents normally need to be certified or witnessed by a solicitor or notary before the FCDO will apostille them.

How much does it cost?

My service fees are £90 per document for apostille only, £120 per document for solicitor certification plus apostille, £180 per document for notarisation plus apostille, and £100 for eligible straightforward document drafting. There is no VAT. FCDO, government, embassy, consular, translation, courier and other third-party charges are separate where applicable.

Can you guarantee the document will be accepted in China?

No. Acceptance is always a decision for the receiving authority. I recommend confirming the exact requirements, including wording and any translation, with the authority before the document is prepared.

Last reviewed

Last reviewed: September 2026. Requirements for documents intended for use in China can change and may vary depending on the receiving authority. Please confirm current requirements before submitting your documents.

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