Identify required documents
Confirm what you need for your purpose (typically work): your degree certificate, teaching certificate (if required), and a recent no criminal record/police certificate.
Authenticating your documents—such as degree certificates, TEFL certificates or other teaching licences, and no criminal record certificates—for use in China can feel confusing at first. There are several terms that seem similar at a glance: apostille, legalisation, authentication, notarisation. What do they actually mean? Which steps matter now that China recognises apostilles? And what should you do to ensure everything is accepted the first time?
This guide explains the process step by step so you can apostille documents for use in China in 2026 with confidence.
Quick rule of thumb
Authenticate (and, if needed, notarise) your documents in the country where they were issued.
Once authenticated, your employer in China can use these to start your work visa/work permit online application.
Note: Already abroad? Save time and stress—our China Document Authentication team can handle notarisation and the apostille for you, end-to-end.
Contents
Notarisation, Apostille, and Legalisation
The Authentication Process for China (2026)
Document Authentication in the United Kingdom
Document Authentication in the United States
Document Authentication in Australia
Document Authentication in South Africa
Document Authentication in Canada
Document Authentication in Ireland
Notarisation, Apostille and Legalisation
Below, the three main steps for document authentication are explained. These explanations also act as a basic explanation of the main terms: Notarisation, Apostille, and Legalisation.
Notarisation
A notary (or solicitor/notary public) verifies that a document is genuine or certifies a true copy. Not all documents require notarization, government-issued originals may skip this step, but items like degree certificates and teaching certificates often do. In some countries, even the no criminal record certificate may need notarisation.
Apostille
An apostille is an official certificate from your government that confirms the signature/seal on your document so it’s accepted internationally under the Hague Apostille Convention. You must obtain the apostille in the same country where the document originates (e.g., a UK degree → UK apostille).
Legalisation (Old Process)
Before China joined the Hague Convention (effective November 2023), you needed embassy legalisation after the apostille or authentication. In 2026 this extra embassy step is no longer required for China. An apostille from your document’s country of origin is sufficient in most work-visa scenarios.
The Authentication Process for China (2026)
- Collect your documents based on the purpose (e.g., work): degree certificate, teaching certificate, no criminal record (police/FBI/ACRO/DBS/Gardaí, etc.). Noting that most local authorities in China require the background check to be issued within six months of its issue date rather than the apostille date.
- Notarise the documents that require it, usually your degree and, if needed, your teaching certificate; in some countries the police check also needs notarisation. Use a notary or solicitor in the issuing country to certify a true copy or attest the original, then proceed to the apostille after confirming the required wording and jurisdiction.
- Apostille each document in its country of origin using the relevant government authority.
- Scan and send the apostilled documents (and any attached certificates/stamps) to your employer so they can begin the work visa/work permit online application.
Note: Lived abroad for years? Obtaining a police check can be trickier—start early.
Document authentication in the United Kingdom
- Obtain a recent police check
Use DBS or ACRO. (Some Chinese regions accept ACRO only; if you’ve been away from the UK for a long time, ACRO is often more straightforward.) - Notarise degree and teaching certificate (if required)
A notary/solicitor certifies true copies and issues an attestation. - Certify the police check
If the issuing authority can’t directly certify, use a notary. - Apostille with the UK Legalisation Office
- Standard: up to ~10 working days
- Express: ~1 day
- Police checks typically must be originals (copies are usually rejected).
- You’re ready to begin your Chinese work visa process.
Document authentication in the United States
- Obtain a police check
Police Check (at the local police station), State-level (via your state) or FBI Background Check (2–4 weeks, widely accepted for China). Ensure it’s signed by the issuing authority. - Notarise degree and teaching certificate (if required) in the issuing state.
- Authenticate (apostille)
- Police checks: via your Secretary of State
- State documents: via your Secretary of State
- Federal documents: via the U.S. Department of State
- Make it clear the documents are for use in China so
wording/seals match requirements.
- You’re ready for the Chinese work visa process.
Document Authentication in Australia
- Obtain a National Police Check.
- Notarise degree and teaching certificate (if required) with an Australian notary (any state/territory).
- Apostille via DFAT (in person or by post; postal via Melbourne/Sydney). See smartraveller.gov.au for details.
- You’re ready to apply for your Chinese work visa.
Document Authentication in South Africa
- Police Clearance Certificate from SAPS.
- SAQA verification for bachelor’s degree (and teaching certificate if
applicable).
- Apostilles via DIRCO
- Some teaching certificates may need notarisation + High Court verification
before apostille.
- You’re ready for your Chinese work visa process
Document Authentication in Canada
- Obtain a police check
Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) - See canadainternational.gc.ca. Fingerprints required.
- Notarise degree, teaching certificate (if required), and police check (notary/lawyer/Commissioner of Oaths)
- Apostille in the same province/jurisdiction where notarised.
- You’re ready to proceed with the Chinese work visa.
Document Authentication in Ireland
- Obtain a police check
Garda Police Certificate from your local Superintendent (free of charge). - Notarise degree, teaching certificate (if required), and police certificate with a notary public.
- Apostille via the Department of Foreign Affairs.
- You’re ready to begin the Chinese work visa process.
Document Authentication in Other Countries
Most countries follow a similar pattern: collect documents → notarise (if needed) → apostille in country of origin. There are a few exceptions: for example, Brazilian, Russian, and Indian passport holders may be able to obtain a no-criminal record certificate at their consulate in China without leaving the country.
When in doubt, check your government’s official site—or ask us to handle it for you.
How-To Summary
Getting documents accepted in China is much simpler for 2026 applicants: since China began recognising Hague apostilles, most cases no longer require embassy legalisation. This guide highlights what changed, which documents you’ll likely need for work (and why), and where each country’s authority fits into the process—from police checks to final hand-off to your employer. Use it to avoid common mistakes (wrong jurisdiction, outdated certificates, mismatched names) and to plan timing, especially for background checks that can take longer.
Check notarisation requirements
In many countries, degrees and teaching certificates must be notarised before apostille. Some government-issued police checks can go straight to apostille.
Obtain your police/background check
Request the correct certificate for your country (e.g., ACRO/DBS, FBI, Gardaí, National Police Check). Start early—processing times vary and can be the longest part.
Notarise applicable documents
Have a notary/solicitor certify true copies or verify originals for any documents that require notarisation in your jurisdiction.
Get the apostille in the issuing country
Obtain the apostille from the competent authority in the same country where the document originated (e.g., UK Legalisation Office, US Secretary of State/US Department of State, DFAT, DIRCO, DFA, Canadian provincial/federal offices).
Verify details and make high-quality scans
Ensure names match your passport exactly. Scan full pages with all seals, signatures, and attachments clearly visible.
Send to your employer
Share the scans of your apostilled documents and certificates so your employer can initiate your China work visa and work permit steps.
FAQs: Apostille Documents for Use in China in 2026
Do I still need embassy legalisation for China in 2026?
No. Since China began recognising apostilles (late 2023), the embassy legalisation step is generally not required. An apostille from the document’s country of origin is usually sufficient.
Which documents typically need an apostille for a China work visa?
Commonly your degree certificate, TEFL's and other teaching certificates (if required for the role), and a no criminal record/police certificate. Some countries also require notarisation before the apostille.
Can I apostille documents in China?
No. Apostilles must be issued in the same country that issued the original document (e.g., UK degree → UK apostille; US FBI check → US apostille).
How long is an apostille valid for use in China?
Apostilles do not expire, but receiving authorities often require recent police checks and up-to-date documents. Keep documents current for smoother processing.
Are scans acceptable or do employers need the originals?
Scans are typically fine to start your application. You’ll usually need to provide the original apostilled documents for final verification.
Do I need notarisation before the apostille for China?
It depends on the document and country. Degrees and teaching certificates often need notarisation first. Government-issued originals (like some police checks) may go straight to apostille.
Where should I get my apostille for use in China?
Always in the document’s country of origin via the competent authority (e.g., UK Legalisation Office, US Secretary of State or US Department of State, DFAT in Australia, DIRCO in South Africa, DFA in Ireland, provincial/federal authorities in Canada).
What if I’m living abroad while apostilling documents for China?
You can still apostille documents through authorities in the issuing country by post or via an authorised agent. Professional services can handle notarisation and apostille end-to-end to save time.
