FCDO e-Apostille for China: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in mainland China?

Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor verification, enhanced solicitor certification and FCDO apostille services for China.

We assist with UK educational, company, court and personal documents. For urgent cases, our express e-Apostille option may take a few hours to one working day.

However, completion depends on document checks, submission times and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in China

China joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 7 November 2023.

As a result, UK public documents can now be used in mainland China after they receive a UK apostille. Further legalisation by the Chinese Embassy or a Chinese Consulate is no longer required.

Before starting, ask the Chinese recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an e-Apostille or paper apostille
• a Chinese translation
• separate apostilles for each document
• one combined legalised PDF
• documents issued within a set time limit

These checks can prevent delays and extra costs.

This page focuses on documents for mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao may follow different local procedures.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many document types.

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• school certificates
• professional qualifications

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House documents
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• commercial contracts

Court and legal documents

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court orders
• judgments
• consent orders
• probate documents
• legal declarations

Personal documents

• certified passport copies
• proof of address
• employment letters
• consent forms
• statutory declarations
• professional certificates

The correct route depends on the document and its intended use in China.

What Is Solicitor Certification?

Solicitor certification is a formal statement signed by a UK solicitor.

For example, the solicitor may confirm that a copy matches the original document.

Basic wording often states:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

This wording may meet a simple certified-copy request. However, it does not confirm that the issuing body created a genuine document.

Therefore, a Chinese authority may ask for stronger proof.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond basic true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. That source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official online system.

Next, we prepare stronger wording, such as:

“I further certify that I have verified the authenticity of this document with the issuing institution.”

As a result, the Chinese recipient receives both a certified copy and confirmation of the source check.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate steps.

Verification means checking the document with its source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

• direct university confirmation
• HEDD
• Gradintelligence
• Digitary
• Parchment
• an official university portal
• a secure document-sharing service

Meanwhile, company checks may involve Companies House records.

Court-document checks may include the seal, case number, court email or issue record.

Afterwards, our solicitor prepares and signs the certificate.

What Does the FCDO Apostille Confirm?

The FCDO checks the relevant UK signature, seal or stamp. It then issues an apostille when the document meets its rules.

However, the apostille does not confirm every fact inside the document.

For this reason, enhanced solicitor certification can add an important extra step.

The legalisation chain may look like this:

Source verification → enhanced solicitor certification → solicitor signature → FCDO apostille

Together, these stages provide a clear document trail for use in mainland China.

Does an Apostille Guarantee Acceptance in China?

No. An apostille does not guarantee that every Chinese authority will accept the document.

The Chinese Embassy advises applicants to check the recipient’s rules before applying. In particular, you should confirm the required format, wording, date, translation and document type.

For example, a Chinese authority may require:

• a recent document
• a specific certification statement
• a full Chinese translation
• an original paper document
• a separate apostille for each document
• extra proof of identity or authority

Therefore, send us the Chinese recipient’s written instructions where possible.

FCDO e-Apostille for China

The FCDO offers both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.

For an e-Apostille, a UK solicitor or notary must electronically sign the PDF. The FCDO then issues the apostille in a digital format.

Our solicitor’s electronic signature is registered with the FCDO for e-Apostille purposes.

Consequently, we can prepare eligible PDFs for electronic legalisation.

Nevertheless, you should ask the Chinese recipient whether it accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed copy of the digital document
• a paper apostille attached to the original

A paper apostille may be safer when the authority asks for original documents.

Express e-Apostille Service for China

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day when:

• the document is clear and complete
• verification has finished
• the PDF qualifies for an e-Apostille
• payment has arrived
• the FCDO requires no extra checks

GOV.UK lists the e-Apostille processing time as up to two working days. However, signature checks or further questions may extend that period.

Educational Documents for China

UK educational documents may require legalisation for:

• employment in China
• work permit applications
• university admission
• postgraduate study
• professional registration
• qualification checks
• teaching positions
• business or visa applications

Common documents include a Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript.

A Degree Certificate confirms the award. In contrast, an Academic Transcript lists subjects, grades, credits and study dates.

Sometimes, the Chinese recipient asks for both documents.

Therefore, check whether each document needs a separate apostille.

Company Documents for China

UK company documents may support:

• registering a company in China
• opening a corporate bank account
• appointing a Chinese representative
• commercial contracts
• court proceedings
• investment projects
• tenders
• proof of directors or shareholders

Official Companies House documents may follow a direct apostille route.

However, company-created documents usually need solicitor certification first.

Examples include:

• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• company powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• commercial agreements
• authorised signatory certificates

We review the document before choosing the correct route.

Court Documents for China

Court documents may need legalisation for:

• civil proceedings
• divorce matters
• inheritance
• probate
• debt claims
• company disputes
• family matters
• property cases

Examples include:

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court judgments
• consent orders
• Grants of Probate
• Letters of Administration

The right process depends on the document format.

For instance, an original court document with a wet-ink seal may qualify for direct paper legalisation. In contrast, an electronic court document may need solicitor certification first.

Does China Require a Chinese Translation?

Many Chinese authorities require a Chinese translation.

However, translation rules vary between courts, universities, employers, banks and government departments.

Before arranging the translation, ask:

• whether the authority accepts English
• whether it needs a full Chinese translation
• whether a Chinese translation company must prepare it
• whether a notary must certify the translation
• whether the apostille also needs translation
• whether every page must be translated

The Chinese Embassy also advises applicants to confirm translation requirements directly with the receiving authority.

In many cases, applicants obtain the apostille first. Afterwards, the translator prepares the Chinese version of the full legalised document.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

The FCDO does not issue an e-Apostille for certain documents.

Examples include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

In addition, a Chinese recipient may request a paper document even when the FCDO offers an electronic option.

Our Process

Step 1: Send the Document

Send us a clear PDF of the UK document.

Step 2: Provide the Chinese Requirements

Include any instructions from the Chinese authority, university, employer, court, bank or company.

Step 3: Check the Correct Route

We review whether the document needs an e-Apostille or paper apostille.

Step 4: Verify the Document

Where possible, our solicitor checks the document with its issuing source.

Step 5: Prepare Enhanced Certification

Next, we draft the correct wording and apply the solicitor’s electronic signature.

Step 6: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

We then submit the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 7: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed legalised document.

The recipient can verify a UK paper or electronic apostille online by using its issue date and apostille number.

Need an Apostille for China?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in mainland China
• the name of the Chinese recipient
• any written requirements
• your required completion date

We will check the suitable verification, certification and apostille route.

Eligible express e-Apostille cases may take a few hours to one working day, subject to document checks and FCDO processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does China accept an FCDO apostille?

Yes. Since 7 November 2023, an eligible UK public document can be used in mainland China after it receives a UK apostille. Chinese Embassy legalisation is no longer required.

Does China accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

Some Chinese recipients may accept a UK e-Apostille. However, you should check whether the specific authority accepts a digital PDF.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some recipients may also require confirmation that the solicitor checked the document with its issuer.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the university provides a reliable verification route.

Can you legalise an Academic Transcript?

Yes. We can review, verify and certify eligible Academic Transcripts before arranging the FCDO apostille.

Does a UK document need a Chinese translation?

Often, yes. However, the receiving Chinese authority sets the final translation rules.

Is Chinese Embassy legalisation still required?

No. For eligible UK public documents used in mainland China, the UK apostille has replaced Chinese Embassy and Consulate legalisation since 7 November 2023.

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. Nevertheless, the Chinese recipient may ask for a separate apostille for each document.

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