I. What is Apostille (document authentication)

Documents executed in US must be legalized in order to be used in China or other countries. This process is normally called apostille, document authentication, certification, or simply legalization.

Type of documents can be apostilled include but not limited to:

1. diploma and transcripts, Teacher's certificate, TEFL certificate (Teaching English as Foreign Language)
2. Criminal record check, including FBI criminal report
3. Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates
4. Consular report of birth abroad: children born outside of US
5. power of attorney
6. adoption application papers
7. business documents: documents needed to open business in China, financial statements, etc
8. true copy of original documents: copies of documents, passport, email, invoice, etc
9. Affidavit of single status: for marriage in China

☛ We can help you whether your documents will be used in China or any other countries in the world, as long as the country is one of the Hague Convention countries.

We have been helping clients with apostille and authentication needs since 2005, both business related and personal.

II. Fees and processing time

How long does it take? How much does it cost?

• Normally 2-4 weeks. The government fee is $5-30, and our service fee $52.96.
• Discount available (20-50%) on service fee if there are more than 1 document.

III. General procedures to have a document apostilled

1. Prepare your document, then sign before a notary public, or obtain certified copy of the document from state agencies, federal government agencies.

• Normally this step can only be done by you, except for certain business documents.
• Certain government or court documents do not need this step: Court Decree, Marriage License, Birth Certificate, Articles of Incoporation, Account Status (good standing), etc..
• Any notary public is fine. Your bank may offer free notary service.
• If you need multiple copies of the same document authenticated, you need to produce multiple originals at this stage.

2. Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York

• For notarized documents, please have the document certified by the county clerk (or court clerk).
• Other states do NOT need this step.

3. Send the documents to us for apostille.

IV. How to apply: Step by step procedures

1. Please fill out the online order form of our agency:

   Create New Order

2. Print the confirmation page. You order ID, our mailing address, payment information (including credit card payment) and other instructions are shown on the confirmation page.
3. Mail us the following:
   • The "original" document to be apostilled.
   • Online order confirmation page of our agency.

What to do/expect after you mail your order

1. Tell us the time and method you mailed your documents, including tracking number, so that we can track the movement of your mail.
2. We submit your document authentication application to the consulate, pick it up, and mail it back to you.
3. You may track order status or submit additional information online at any time.
4. We update your order status by email and online.

V. Apostille sample

disclaimer

Disclaimer: All information provided on this web site, through email communications, or over the phone, are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice. We shall not be held responsible if loss or damage occurs. Please seek legal advice from law professionals for your document authentications if needed.