Important Notice

In order to upgrade its consular authentication (legalization) service, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada will outsource their authentication service to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC)from August 1, 2018.

Starting from that date, the consular authentication (legalization) applications of Canadian citizens as well as third-country citizens should be submitted to the CVASC in Ottawa, according to the the location of the Canada's authorities which authenticate the documents and the corresponding consular jurisdiction of the Chinese Embassy in Canada. All the applicants should submit their application documents in person, either by themselves or by their agents according to the authentication requirements stated on the CVASC's official website (www.visaforchina.org). The service of the CVASC includes receiving applications, fees collection, document release and inquiries. Application assessment and issuance of the authentication certificates remain to be decided by the consular officials.

Consular authentication (legalization) applications of Chinese citizens can be directly submitted to the Chinese Embassy according to their consular jurisdictions.

The CVASC will provide applicants with a more comfortable service environment, more timely inquiry service, longer service hours and more convenient services, while conforming to the laws and regulations of both China and Canada to ensure the safety of the applicants' personal information and documents. The CVASC will charge a service fee for each document to ensure its proper operation and high-quality service.

Introduction to Consular Authentication
According to the "Consular Authentication Regulation" of China, which came into effect on March 1, 2016, the consular authentication mentioned refers to the practice of confirming the authenticity of the last seal and signature on the foreign-related notarial deeds and other certificates issued in China or relevant documents issued by other countries, performed by consular authentication agencies upon the application of natural persons, legal persons or other organizations.

The purpose of consular authentication is to ensure that notarial deeds issued in one country can be acknowledged by relevant authorities in another country, and the deeds can have its due legal effect, which shall not be affected by doubts on the authenticity of the seal or signature on the deeds.
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Canada can authenticate notarial deeds and other documents issued by relevant authorities of Canada for use in China. The deeds or documents should be authenticated by the authentication office of the Canadian Foreign Affairs Department or the relevant province (territory) before submitting to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General.

Guidelines for Consular Authentication
I. Application Requirements
A document to be authenticated should meet the following requirements:
1. The document should have been firstly notarized by a local notary public, lawyer or Commissioner of Oaths of Canada, and then authenticated by the authentication office of the Canadian Foreign Affairs Department or the relevant province (territory).
2. The document is truthful, legal and without contents violating Chinese law or threatening to China's national or public interests.
3. A document with more than one page must be properly bound as a volume to avoid any substitution. Sealing wax, eyelet, paging seal or steel seal should be applied to ensure the integrity of the documents.
II. Authentication Process
Step 1.
The document shall be notarized by a local notary public, lawyer or Commissioner of Oaths of Canada.
Step 2.
The notarized document shall be authenticated by the Authentication and Service of Documents Section of Global Affairs Canada, if the applicant would like to bring the document to this Embassy for authentication.
The notarized document shall be authenticated by the authentication office of the corresponding province (territory), if the applicant would like to bring the document to one of Chinese Consulates General in Canada for authentication (Please click for the consular jurisdiction of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General ).
Step 3.
The document shall be authenticated by the Chinese Embassy if it has been authenticated by the authentication office of Global Affairs Canada.
Th document shall be authenticated by one of the Chinese Consulates General in Canada in accordance with its consular jurisdiction where it has been authenticated by a local authentication office.
III. Documents Required for Application
1. One fully completed and signed Application Form for Notarization and Authentication(Please click here to download) by the applicant.
2. The original and a photocopy of the document which have been authenticated by the Canadian authentication authorities.
3. A photocopy of the photo/information page of the applicant's passport.
4. A photocopy of the permanent resident card, study permit or work permit(If applicable), if the applicant is not a Canadian citizen.
5. If an applicant has entrusted someone else to submit the application on his/her behalf, the original and a photocopy of both the entrusted person's and the applicant's passport (and a permanent resident card or study/work permit, if applicable) should be provided.
6. If the document is of a company or an organization, a photocopy of the passport (and a permanent resident card or study/work permit, if applicable) of the company's legal representative and an official company document that can prove the person's legal representative status should be submitted.
7. Other documents which the Embassy or Consulate General considers as necessary.
IV. How to Apply
1. You may either walk in to submit the application or entrust someone else or travel agents to do it for you.  Mail application is not acceptable.
2. No appointment is needed.
3. If necessary, the applicant should come in person for an interview as required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General.
V. Processing Time
1. Regular service: 4 working days.
2. Express service: 2 working days. Documents can be picked up on the 3rd business day.
3. Next-day rush service: 1 working day. Documents can be picked up on the 2nd working day.
Note: It does not include the time for submitting supporting materials, consulting or verifying information with China's authorities, or delays caused by force majeure.
VI. Fees and Payment
1. After an authentication certificate is issued, the applicant may come, or entrust someone else to come, with the Pick-up Form (the pink slip) to the Embassy or the Consulate General to pay the relevant fee and get the certificate on the pick-up day or after. If a certificate is not picked up 6 months after the pick-up day, the Chinese Embassy or the Consulate General will no longer keep it and the applicant is solely responsible for any consequences arising therefrom.
2. Regular service:
Civil documents: $30 per document(For foreign citizens);
Commercial documents: $60 per document(For foregin citizens);
3. Express service: an additional fee of $35 per document will be charged.
4. Next-day rush service: an additional fee of $50 per document will be charged.
5. Please pay by Money Order, Company's Check or Debit Card. Cash, Credit Card or Personal Check will not be accepted. If the authentication certificate is issued by the Embassy, please make Company's Check or Money Order payable to "Chinese Embassy". If the authentication certificate is issued by the Consulate General, please make Company's Check or Money Order payable to "Chinese Consulate General".
VII. Other Important Information
1. The applicant's relevant documents have been accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the competent authority for consular authentication of the country where the documents are issued;
2. The document is true and lawful, and doesn't contain any content  which is injurious to national interests or social public interests of China;
3. If the document submitted by the applicant for authentication contains more than one page, it shall be properly bound as a volume by applying sealing wax, eyelets, paging seal, steel seal or other methods to avoid any substitution and ensure the integrity of the documents .  
4. According to the provisions of the relevant authorities of China, the certificate for no spouse or single status affidavit used for marriage registration in China remains valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. Therefore, the applicant should apply for it again if the mentioned certificate has been issued for more than 6 months from the date of issuance. 
5. Notarial certificates of marriage status, health and non-criminal record, which are for the purposes of adoption in China, shall not be legalized if they were certified more than six months ago.
6. Consular officers of the Embassy or Consulates of the PRC in Canada will review the documents to be authenticated. The embassy or consulates will not authenticate a document if the contents of which are found in an incomplete application progress of notarization or legalization, against Chinese laws and regulations, fail to meet the format standards, or are forged or altered.
7. Consular officers may request the applicant to provide additional documentation to support the application.
8. If the contents of an authenticated document are forged or altered, the consular authentication certificate shall be invalid.
9. Authenticated document shall not be forged or altered. Any legal liability caused by the applicant's forgery or alteration of the document shall be borne by the applicant.
10. All detailed requirements for consular authentication shall be in line with the regulations published by the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates.

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the document issued abroad and delivered to China require consular authentication?
Consular authentication is an international convention gradually formed by exchange practice of documents for mutual convenience. At present, except for the clause of "Exempt from authentication" in bilateral judicial assistance treaties, China has not signed any bilateral treaty or agreement on mutual exemption of consular authentication with any country. In generally, civil and commercial documents issued in a foreign country to be delivered and used in China shall need consular authentication from the Chinese Embassies or Consulates in the local country.

2. Is it permitted that the documents issued abroad and to be delivered and used in China only be authenticated by the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates?
No. Related documents shall be first notarized and legalized by local competent authorities, and then authenticated by the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates.
3. What are the required documents for applying to Chinese Embassies or Consulates for consular authentication of foreign documents issued abroad and to be delivered and used in China?
For foreign documents issued abroad and to be delivered and used in China submitted by either Chinese citizens or foreign citizens, the following required documents shall be submitted to the Chinese Embassies or Consulates in foreign countries for consular authentication:
(1) The original copy or photocopy of both a valid legal identity document (e.g., passport) of the applicant and documents already notarized and legalized by the competent authorities in the local country are required. The original copy of the documents shall not be detached in any time.
(2) If the authentication is applied through an agent, the agent must provide a photocopy of both his or her valid identity document (e.g., passport)and the applicant's valid identity documents.
(3) If the documents to be authenticated are of a company or organization, a photocopy of both the passport of the company's legal representative and an official document which proves his or her legal status as the company's legal representative are required.
(4) Application forms should be filled in truthfully, completely and correctly.
(5) Other documents considered necessary by the consular authority.
4. What's the procedure of a foreign commercial document for consular authentication by the Chinese Embassies or Consulates?
When a civil or commercial document issued in a foreign country is to be delivered and used in China, the following is the procedure of applying to Chinese Embassies or Consulates for consular authentication:
(1) The document shall be first notarized or legalized by the relevant authorities of the issuing country;
(2) The document shall be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant authorities in the issuing country.

(3) The document shall be submitted for consular authentication by the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in issuing country.

5. How long does it take to for a foreign document to be authenticated by the Chinese Embassies or Consulates?
It usually takes four working days. For urgent cases, the applicant can apply for an express service subject to the approval of the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates.  However, the applicant shall pay fees for the express service.
6. Could the Chinese Embassies or Consulates provide consular authentication for the death certificate issued by the local authorities?
No matter whether the deceased is a Chinese citizen, if the relevant death certificate needs to be delivered to and used in China, the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates shall provide consular authentication according to the application after the notarization and authentication have been done by the local authorities.
7. A Chinese citizen, Mr. Zhang is going to apply for residence or household registration in the mainland of China for his child born aboard, and he is required by the local public security bureau in the mainland of China to show the birth certificate of the child authenticated by the overseas Chinese Embassies or Consulates. What should he do? 
After Mr. Zhang or the person he entrusts has completed the notarization and authentication of the child's birth certificate in the issuing country, Mr. Zhang or the person he entrusts shall submit it consular authentication at the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the local country.   
8. A Chinese citizen, Mr. Rong who resides in a foreign country is going to send a notarized document in English issued by the local authority to China, and he inquires whether the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates could provide consular authentication for him?
Mr. Rong shall first have the above mentioned notarized document authenticated by the local authentication authorities, and then apply for consular authentication to the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates. The Chinese Embassy or Consulates will decide whether it can provide the service.
9. Mr. Li, a Chinese citizen who resides in a foreign country and has graduated from a local university with a diploma, would like to work in China. He asks how to apply for consular authentication for his diploma?
The diplomas obtained by the Chinese citizens in foreign countries, shall first be notarized and authenticated by the local authorities, and then be submitted to the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates for consular certification. Or, they could also bring their diplomas directly to China and have them certified by the Overseas Student Service at the Ministry of Education.
10. Mr. Wang and Mrs. Li, who are both Chinese citizens and get married in Australia, inquire that whether their marriage certificate shall be used when they try to purchase a house in the mainland of China?
The marriage certificate obtained in Australia in conformity with the local legal provisions shall not be used directly in the mainland of China. The marriage certificate shall first be notarized and authenticated in Australia and then submitted to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in Australia for consular authentication before it is used in China.
11. How to apply for consular authentication for notarial certificates, commercial identification and other certificates issued in China?
Before delivered to foreign countries for use, the notarial certificates or commercial documents issued in China, shall first be submitted to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or local foreign affairs offices commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consular authentication, and then sent for consular authentication by the embassy or consulates of the country where they are to be used according to the requirements of the country and its Embassy or Consulates in China. There also may be no need for the consular authentication of the country's embassies or consulates in China, if the country where the documents are to be used does not have the requirements.
For more detailed requirements, please visit: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcg/lsrz/.
12. Can I apply for consular authentication in the Chinese Embassies or Consulates if notarized certificates issued in China have been brought abroad with no consular authentication?
The Overseas Chinese Embassies or Consulates shall not accept the application for consular authentication of notarial certificates or commercial certificates issued in China. The documents shall be sent back to China for authentication by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or local foreign affairs offices commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the consular authentication by the embassy or consulates of the country where they are to be used.  If it is inconvenient for the applicant to go back to China, the applicant shall entrust a person (a relative or friend in China, a lawyer, etc.) to go through the authentication procedures.

Appendix:
Authentication and Service of Documents Section (JLAC)
Global Affairs Canada
For Mailing application:125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0G2
For Walk-in application: 111 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
Tel:1-800-267-8376 (Toll Free in Canada)
613-944-4000 (in the National Capital Region and outside Canada)
613-944-9136 (TTY for the deaf)

Ontario :
Ministry of Government Services
6th Floor, 700 University Ave,
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2S4
Tel: 416-325 8416 Fax: 416-3258434

Manitoba:
Department of consumer and corporate affairs
Room 1034, 10th Floor, 405 Broadway
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3L6
Tel: 204-9452654

British Columbia:
Order in Council Administration
Ministry of Attorney General
Room 208A 553 Superior St.
Victoria, British Columbia
V8V 1X4
Tel: 250-387-4376 Fax: 250-387-4349

Yukon:
Office of the Commissioner
211 Hawkins St.
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 1X3
Tel:867-667-5121 Fax:867-393-6201
Alberta:
Deputy Provincial Secretary' Office
Room 111, 9833-109 St. Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2E8
Tel: 780-4275069, 3100000, 3104455

Saskatchewan:
Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, Authentication Services
800-1874 Searth Street,
Regina SK, S4P 4B3
Tel:306-7873899

Quebec:
Secretaire de la Chambre des Notaires du Quebec
600-1801 avenue McGill College,
Montreal, QC H3A 0A7
Tel:514-8791793

New Brunswick:
Office of the Lieutenant-Governor
P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, N.B. E3B 5H1
Newfoundland:
Office of the Lieutenant-Governor, Government House,
P.O. Box 5517, St. John's, Newfoundland

Northwest Territories:
Legal Registries, Department of Justice
1st Floor, Sourt M. Hodgson Building, 5009-49th Street
PO BOX 1320, Yellowknife, N.T. X1A 2L9

Nova Scotia:

Legal Services Division

Department of Justice

Joseph Howe Building

1690 Hollis Street B3J 3J9

Halifax NS

Email: Authentications@novascotia.ca