China Joins Apostille Convention

On 8th March 2023, Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Tan Jian together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands officially placed on behalf of China the depository of the 1961 “Apostille Convention” i.e., the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.

The Convention will enter into force in China on 7th November, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. It aims to simplify the procedures for the use of Chinese public documents abroad and facilitate international trade and individual exchange.

First, Chinese citizens will be able to use abroad documents such as health certificates, household registry certificates, driving license certificates, and certificates of academic degree, and it will significantly reduce cost and time. Indeed, the cost reduction will allow Chinese and foreign individuals and businesses to save over 300 million yuan yearly. Moreover, it will only take a few days to get a document ready for use abroad, compared to the previous 20 days. Also the time required to complete procedures between China and other contracting States will be reduced by around 90 percent.

Second, the Apostille Convention will help improve the business environment in China. It means that foreign companies investing in or exporting to China will no longer need consular legalisation for commercial documents. Around 70% of China’s export-related commercial documents will be benefited by the Convention.