Documents

Notarial matters

Three similar words mean three different procedures, and confusing them costs a week.

6 min readUpdated: 26 August 2026

photo: a notary’s office, the reception window

What is what

Notarisation confirms the authenticity of a signature or a copy. It is done in the country where the document is used or was issued.

Legalisation is confirmation of a document for another state through a consular chain. A long procedure.

An apostille is the simplified alternative to legalisation between countries party to the relevant convention. It is affixed in the issuing country.

Worth knowing

An apostille and legalisation are done in the country that issued the document, not in China. Bringing a document and having it certified here will not work.

The order of things

First the original is put in order at home: notarisation, then an apostille or legalisation.

In China a document is translated by an accredited agency and then submitted to the authority.

Requirements differ between authorities: what was accepted in one city may be returned in another.

Tip

Ask the receiving authority for the list of requirements in writing, before you start. A verbal answer here guarantees nothing.

Checked: 26 August 2026

Editor: The PANDA editorial team

What you can hand to PANDA

Written translationWe translate certificates, diplomas, contracts and medical reports the way a particular desk expects them — correctly formatted and with the bureau's stamp.from ¥180 / page Someone with you at institutionsThe bank, the police, the immigration desk, a school, the insurer, the post office — the concierge goes with you, explains the procedure and interprets.from ¥900 Paperwork and settling inWe'll build the document list for your procedure, book the right desk, come with you and interpret. Bank, registration, SIM, health insurance.from ¥1 000

Sources

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, consular affairsofficial source
Chinese Visa Application Service Centerofficial source
PRC government portal for foreignersofficial source

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