UK Apostille for China: 2025 Guide to Documents & Process

Introduction

If you need to use a UK document in mainland China, you will usually need a UK apostille for China. Since 7 November 2023, this process has replaced Chinese consular legalisation, making things faster and simpler.

The Chinese Embassy in London has officially confirmed that it no longer provides legalisation for UK documents. Instead, a UK apostille issued by the FCDO is sufficient.

What Is an Apostille (UK)?

An apostille is an official UK certificate that verifies the authenticity of:

A UK public document, or
The signature/seal of a UK solicitor or notary.

A UK apostille for China allows the document to be legally recognised across all Hague Apostille Convention member states, including China since 2023.

China: What Changed on 7 Nov 2023?

China became a Hague Apostille Convention member on 7 November 2023.
The Chinese Embassy in London stopped providing consular legalisation for UK-issued documents.
A UK apostille is now accepted directly in the Chinese mainland.

Before vs After at a glance

Requirement	Before 7 Nov 2023	After 7 Nov 2023
Process	UK apostille + Chinese consular legalisation	UK apostille only
Embassy role	Mandatory legalisation	No longer required
Risk	Higher (two steps)	Lower (single step)

Note: Hong Kong and Macao already accepted apostilles before 2023.

Do I Need an Apostille for China?

Yes. For most UK documents, a UK apostille for China is now enough.

Still, some Chinese authorities may ask for:

Certified Chinese translations
A document issued within 3–6 months
Requirement for originals instead of certified copies

Which UK Documents Can Be Apostilled?

Direct apostille (public documents):

Birth, marriage, death certificates (GRO)
Companies House documents
Court papers and judgments
Government or NHS-issued documents

Require solicitor/notary certification first:

Passport and ID copies
Powers of Attorney (POA)
Academic diplomas and transcripts
Employment letters and contracts

(See also: Certified True Copy (UK))

Paper vs e-Apostille

The UK issues both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles:

Paper apostille → safest for banks, courts, and government offices in China.
e-Apostille → faster, but confirm acceptance with the Chinese recipient before using.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a UK Apostille for China

Check requirements with the Chinese authority (translation, originals, validity).
Identify your document type:
- Public → apostille directly.
- Non-public → solicitor/notary certification first.
Choose format: paper or e-Apostille.
Submit for apostille through the UK government service or an FCDO-registered provider.
Add certified Chinese translations if requested.

Common Use Cases in China

Banking & compliance → passport/ID copies certified + apostilled
Power of Attorney (POA) → notarised + apostilled for China use
Academic/employment → diplomas and transcripts certified + apostilled
Civil status → UK birth/marriage certificates apostilled directly

FAQs

Do I still need Chinese consular legalisation?
No. Since 7 November 2023, only a UK apostille for China is required. Chinese Embassy guidance.

Are e-Apostilles accepted in China?
Yes, but always confirm acceptance with the recipient. Paper apostilles remain the safest choice.

Does an apostille expire?
The apostille itself does not expire, but some Chinese institutions require recently issued documents.

Mainland vs Hong Kong/Macao — any difference?
Yes. Hong Kong and Macao already accepted apostilles before 2023; mainland China only since November 2023.

Can a UK solicitor certify my passport for apostille?
Yes. A solicitor or notary can certify it, and the apostille authenticates their signature.

Final Takeaway

For UK documents used in China, the process is now simpler: just obtain a UK apostille for China.

No Chinese consular legalisation is needed anymore — saving time and cost.

✔️ Always confirm local rules in China for translations, validity, and format to avoid rejection.

Get a UK Apostille Online

At Ginkgo Advisory, all UK apostilles are handled by a UK solicitor regulated by the SRA and registered with the FCDO.

Price: from £138 per document
Turnaround: 8 working days (express services available)
Languages: English + 中文 bilingual support

👉 Contact us or WhatsApp +44 7388 833283 to order now.