Applicants not residing in US: Authentication of documents for use in China

This pages addresses general questions you may have if you are currently not residing in US, but would like to authenticate documents for use in China. YES, we can help you obtain document authentications, including the steps of Secretary of State, US Department of State, and finally Chinese consulate, and then mail the finished documents to you, whether you are in China or other countries.

However, this service is limited to documents that do not require your signature before a notary, like diploma, criminal background check, birth certificate, marriage certificate, or business documents. Please be sure to read specific pages concerning your documents.

Our normal service area includes the states covered by the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC: DC, DE, ID, KY, MD, MT, NC, ND, NE, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WV, WY, and those covered by the former Houston consulate (AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, OK, TX，PR).

I. Basic authentication procedures

1. Get the original documents.

2. Certify by the Office of Secretary of State in the state where the document is notarized.

3. Authenticated by US Department of State

4. Certified by the Chinese consulate or Embassy.

II. Processing time

Thus we normally can mail out finished documents 4 weeks after we receive your documents. But please check the latest update on the home page of our web site on processing time.

The international shipping with FedEx is very fast, only 3-4 days to major Chinese cities.

III. Costs and Fees

After you submit the online order (top left corner "My order", "Create New Order"), the order confirmation page will have exact fees, payment information and mailing address.

IV. Payment method

You may pay online after you submit an order (top left corner: "My order", "Make payment"). A transaction fee will be added automatically. Please note: payment must be received before we process your application.

You may also pay by check or money, or QuickPay (Zelle). The order confirmation page has the payment information and mailing address.

V. Mail to China or other countries

YES, we can mail to China or other countries. The shipping cost is $65 for FedEx, plus $10 international ship handling fee. The shipping fee may be more for remote cities or some other countries, we will charge the actual cost if that happens. We will use USPS Priority Mail Express International (cost the same $65) if FedEx service is not available for your destination.

On the order form, you can specify a separate shipping address. For Chinese destinations, please also enter address in Chinese characters on order form, or email. We will write it on envelope.

VI. Documents to submit

1. Authentication Application form: Please follow the instructions and sample on the form download page. The applicant needs to sign on the form using a pen. Currently the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC require originally signed form -- scanned copy will not be accepted.
2. You may arrange for the original documents (e.g. diploma, criminal record, birth certificates) to be sent to us separately. However, we do not accept criminal record mailed from government agencies, and we strongly recommend that you ask a friend or relative to send everything to us in a single package.
3. Our mailing address will be printed on order confirmation page (email).

VII. Questions and Answers

Question: Can I send you a photo copy of birth certificate (diploma) for authentication?

Answer: No, you must provide original document for authentication.

Question: Will you return the original birth certificate (diploma) to me after authentication?

Answer: Certainly. The Secretary of State normally attachs a certification page onto the original document, and the consular authentication attaches a certificate onto the back of Secretary of State's certificattion page. The certification pages and original document cannot be separated, otherwise it voids the authentication.

See sample certificates.

Question: Can I scan and send the application form and passport copy to you by email?

Answer: Currently not.

From October 2016, Chinese Embassy in Washington DC requires original signature on the application form.

From April 2019, Houston consulate requires original signature on the application form.

Question: Can you confirm the total fees?

Answer: Please submit an order online. The total cost is shown on the confirmation page. If there are costs associated with extra services, we will communicate through email.

Question: When should I make payment? Where is the link for online payment?

Answer: If you make payment online, please make sure payment is received before we receive documents. The payment link is on the payment confirmation page, or you may go to top left corner "My order", "Make payment".