China Attestation Service
Moving to China or planning business there? You’ll need your documents checked and approved. This approval process is called China Embassy Attestation. Many people find it confusing, but it’s very important if you want to live, work, or study in China. At Legalisation4You, we work to make this process easy for everyone across the UK. Our team has helped thousands get their documents ready for China.
Quickly and securely authenticate your important documents for use abroad.
Whether it’s for personal or business purposes, our Consular Legalisation ensures your documents — including legal contracts, academic records, and personal certificates — are officially recognised by the China and other international authorities.
Legal Contracts: Including power of attorney, business agreements, and court documents.
Academic Records: Diplomas, transcripts, and certificates from educational institutions.
Personal Certificates: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police clearance certificates.
Our streamlined process guarantees your documents are recognised for employment, education, personal and commercial affairs abroad.
How It Works
Experience a streamlined process to get your documents recognised internationally
Step 1
Select Your Service
Choose our trusted apostille services, including notarisation and official FCDO verification, for UK and global recognition.
Step 2
Upload Your Documents
Send us your documents online or by post, assured of secure handling and confidentiality.
Step 3
Finalise & Receive
We’ll process and return your documents, ready for international use, with speed and precision.
01
Certification
Verifies the document is genuine
02
Apostille
Confirms UK validity for international use
03
Embassy Legalisation
Final stamp from the embassy for use abroad
We keep clients regularly updated at every step, so they always know exactly what’s happening and when.
No Surprises
No Chasing
Just Clear Updates.
- Every document must first be certified either by an SRA-registered solicitor or by a UK notary public (we advise which is required; solicitor certification is included unless a notary is specifically needed).
- The certified document must then obtain an FCDO apostille. Without this apostille, no embassy will legalise the document.
- Once apostilled, the document is submitted to the chosen embassy for final stamping.
A notary stamp alone is never sufficient; an apostille is always required before any embassy will act.
Essential Documents We Attest for Use in China
What needs to be attested? Usually, authorities in China will ask for a range of personal, legal, commercial, and educational documents. Here are some examples we handle often at Legalisation4You.
The list can be long, but some of the most common papers include application forms, passports, marriage certificates, birth certificates, degree certificates, police checks, or business contracts. Each situation is different, so make sure you know exactly what you need for your trip or your new life in China.
Educational
Educational documents are a big deal when it comes to China. If you’ve landed a job or a spot at a Chinese university, you’ll have to submit your degree certificates, transcripts, and sometimes even training reports. These documents prove your background and show you meet the requirements for work or study.
Our team often works with graduates who need degree certificates legalised for a Z visa (work visa) or who are applying to universities. China won’t accept these papers if there’s no official stamp showing they’re real, so attestation is a must.
Personal
You may also need personal certificates attested. This can include marriage certificates, birth certificates, or police clearance certificates. Maybe you want to bring your family with you or are planning to register a marriage in China.
Each personal certificate tells a story about who you are or your family situation. Chinese law asks for these papers to be legalised to confirm your identity and background. If you can’t provide the right stamps, you could face delays or even refusals to your applications.
Legal
Legal documents are sometimes needed too. Common examples include power of attorney, court orders, and divorce decrees. These papers allow you to do things on behalf of someone else or handle legal matters in China.
For legal documents, the authorities look for proof that any UK-issued judgment or order is authentic and meets legal standards. If you have questions on what kind of legal documents you need to supply, our team can point you in the right direction.
Commercial Documents
UK businesses wanting to enter or expand in China often need commercial documents attested. This can mean company registration documents, product certificates, or contracts.
Chinese partners, clients, or banks often request that these documents are attested before working with UK companies. Skipping authentication can create bigger legal or trust problems down the road. Our team knows the exact process for getting your business paperwork recognised in China so you don’t miss out on new opportunities.
Legend:
= Solicitor Certification
= Notarisation Required
= Need the original
Government-Issued
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Death Certificate
ACRO Police Certificate
Criminal Record Check
DBS Certificate
Certificate of Naturalisation
Certificate of Impediment
Civil Partnership Certificate
HMRC Letter
Tax Certificate
Court-Issued Document
Immunisation Record
Power of Attorney (Personal)
Affidavit / Statutory Declaration
Parental Consent Letter
Financial Guarantee / Sponsorship
Letter of Authorisation
Invitation Letter
No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Medical Consent Form
Declaration for Property/Inherit.
Adoption Declaration / Agreement
Children Consent Forms
Other
Academic
Bachelor’s Degree Certificate
Master’s Degree Certificate
Degree Transcript
School Certificate
University Letter
Enrolment Letter
Degree Transcript
Reference Letter
Diploma Supplement
Degree Transcript
Results Statement / Transcript
Other
Business & Corporate
Certificate of Incorporation
Articles of Association
Certificate of Incumbency
Certificate of Free Sale
Companies House Documents
Board Minutes
Ben2 Form
Business Letters
Commercial Invoices
Authorised Representative Letters
Memorandum & Articles of Association
Shareholder Agreements
Trade Licences
ISO Certificates
CE Declarations
Power of Attorney (Corporate)
Business Authorisation Letter
Company Board Resolution
Other
Why You Might Need China Embassy Document Legalisation
China has strict rules about who can work, study, or set up a business within its borders. If you’re heading to China for a job, for school, to join family, or for business, you’ll need official papers. These can include your degree, birth certificate, passport, marriage certificates, or business papers. The Chinese authorities need to see proof that your documents are real and trustworthy. This helps to stop fraud and keeps things fair for everyone. It might seem like a lot, but it’s really about keeping things clear and safe for both you and China.
The attestation process checks that everything you submit is valid. Employers, schools, and government offices in China depend on this legalisation before giving out work permits, student visas, or business licences. Skipping this step can stop your plans before they even start. We see many people get caught out because they didn’t get their documents attested. Don’t risk it. Make sure your documents are prepared properly.
Key Differences Between Notarisation, Legalisation & Embassy Attestation
It’s easy to get mixed up between notarisation, legalisation, and attestation. Each plays a part, but they’re not the same. If you’re unsure which step applies to you, you’re not alone. Here’s what makes each one different:
Notarisation
Notarisation happens first. We work with UK-registered notary publics or trusted solicitors. Their job is to confirm your signature and certify the source of your document. This is a stamp of “authenticity”—people can trust the paper really comes from you or the sender. Notarisation is often needed for both personal and business papers before moving to the next stage.
Legalisation Apostille
Next up is legalisation by the FCDO. They check that the notary or solicitor is officially recognised by the UK government. Then, they add an official apostille certificate to your document. Many countries in the Hague Convention will accept this alone. Sadly, China is not in the club, so extra steps are needed.
Embassy Attestation Consular Legalisation
The finishing touch is embassy attestation, sometimes called consular legalisation. The Chinese Embassy in the UK checks that your document has been notarised and legalised. After their stamp, your document will be legal in China. This is a must for working, studying, or trading there. Skip this, and your paperwork may not be valid in China.
China Attestation Process – From UK Certification to Chinese Legalisation
Wondering how the China Embassy attestation process works? It follows a strict step-by-step route. First, your documents must be checked by a public notary or solicitor in the UK. This tells everyone the document is from a real source, not a forgery.
Next comes legalisation by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Here, your papers get an apostille stamp, confirming the notary or solicitor who signed your document is recognised by the UK government. But wait, is that enough for China? No, because China isn’t a part of the Hague Apostille Convention. After the FCDO’s job, the final step is for the Chinese Embassy in the UK to approve and stamp your documents. Only then are they good to go in China for study, work, or business.
Why Legalisation4You Is a Trusted Name for China Attestation
Why choose us for document attestation for China? Legalisation4You is built on decades of experience. We know every step needed and the order to do them in. With exclusive embassy connections and a solid reputation, we work fast and keep things simple. We support individuals, families, and businesses, and have helped thousands see success in China. Our team walks you through what’s required and answers all your questions at every step.
- Turnaround Time: We work quickly. Most attestation procedures take between a few days and two weeks, depending on what you need. If there’s an urgent deadline, we do our best to meet it. We know delays can cost you a job, a school spot, or a business deal, so speed is our priority.
- Cost: The cost depends on the type and number of documents you want to legalise. We keep our fees fair, and there are no hidden charges. If you need a quote, our team will ask for details about your documents, their purpose, and if fast-track service is needed. Every quote is clear and upfront.
- Delivery Options: We offer flexible delivery. You can visit us, send documents by mail, or ask for courier collection and delivery. Whatever works for you, we’ll make it happen. Tracking is available so you always know where your papers are. Safe delivery is very important to us.
Request a Free Quote or Start Your Application Today
If you need China Embassy attestation for your documents, Legalisation4You is ready to help. We guide you from start to finish, making sure you have all the right forms and that your application is ready to go. Contact us now for a free quote—with zero obligation. Use our website to begin your application, upload your files, or ask questions. We’re here to make the complex simple.
FAQs
Q
Is attestation necessary for Chinese work permits or Z visas?
A
Yes, you cannot get a Chinese work permit or Z visa without attestation. Your employer and immigration officials in China will ask for properly legalised documents, including degree certificates and sometimes marriage or birth certificates. Without attestation, your application will be delayed or rejected. Get your papers checked before your move to avoid trouble.
Q
Can you help with legalising degree certificates for Chinese employers?
A
Absolutely. We legalise degree certificates for people seeking work in China all the time. This includes notarisation, FCDO legalisation, and getting the Chinese Embassy stamp. We help you collect any extra papers, like transcripts or reference letters, if needed by your new employer. You’ll get step-by-step help to make sure your documents meet Chinese requirements.
Q
Do I need a solicitor’s stamp before embassy legalisation?
A
Yes, most of the time a solicitor’s stamp is required before we can submit your documents for Chinese embassy legalisation. The solicitor acts as the first level of verification, confirming that your documents are genuine and issued by the right authorities. Some documents, like company papers, may also need a notary instead of a solicitor. Ask us if you’re unsure.
Q
Can I use scanned copies or do I need originals?
A
Usually, you need to provide the original documents for attestation. This is because Chinese authorities will not accept scans or photocopies for embassy legalisation. Some services, like initial checks or getting a quote, can use scans first, but the originals are always needed for the main process. Always keep your originals safe and ready.
Q
Do you offer attestation services for UK companies doing business in China?
A
Yes, we help many UK companies who are expanding into China. This includes commercial documents like certificates of incorporation, contracts, invoices, and authorisations. Our team gives specialist advice to businesses, so your company’s paperwork meets local requirements and Chinese business partners’ expectations. We also help with multiple documents in one application for companies with lots of papers to legalise.
