UK documents for China, notarised and apostilled
An employer, bank or authority in China has asked for a UK document. Since 7 November 2023 the UK FCDO apostille replaces Chinese Embassy legalisation for mainland China. We check what your document needs and handle every UK step for a fixed fee agreed before you pay.
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Not sure what your document needs? Send it to us and we reply within one hour in office hours.
The route for China at a glance
- UK FCDO apostilleChina joined the Hague Apostille Convention with effect from 7 November 2023, according to the HCCH status table.
- No Chinese Embassy step for mainland ChinaThe Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK state that, from 7 November 2023, UK documents with an apostille can be used in mainland China without consular legalisation, which they no longer provide.
- Check acceptance firstThe same notice warns that apostilled documents may not necessarily be accepted by the relevant Chinese authorities. Ask the recipient to confirm its requirements.
- Hong Kong and MacaoThe Convention continues to apply to the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions.
Fixed fees from £95 plus VAT per document. We confirm the route and the full fee in writing before you pay.
- Degree certificates
- Company documents
- Powers of attorney
- Certified copies
- UK public certificates
What your document needs for China
- 1
Check the recipient’s instructions
Confirm the wording required, whether an original or a copy is acceptable, whether a Chinese translation is needed, and that the recipient accepts an apostilled UK document. If a Chinese adviser has prepared a power of attorney, send us the draft for review and wait for signing instructions.
- 2
Notarise where necessary
The Notary may need to witness your signature or certify a copy. GRO birth, marriage and death certificates can go straight to the UK FCDO apostille, without a notarial act.
- 3
UK FCDO apostille
The FCDO checks the signature, stamp or seal against its records and attaches the apostille. It does not certify the content of the document.
- 4
No consular legalisation
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK state that, from 7 November 2023, UK public documents with an apostille can be used in mainland China directly, and that consular legalisation will no longer be provided in the UK.
- 5
Translation
Ask the recipient whether a Chinese translation is needed, who must make it, and whether it must be done in China or in the UK.
The fee you are quoted is the fee you pay
Notarised and apostilled, per document
| Power of attorney, notarised and apostilled | £230 |
|---|---|
| Company document, notarised and apostilled | £245 |
| Court order, notarised and apostilled | £190 |
| Degree certificate or transcript, notarised and apostilledplus the university’s verification fee at cost, confirmed before you pay | £190 |
| Birth, marriage or death certificate (GRO), apostille only | £95 |
Plus VAT. Including the UK FCDO fee. Urgent or e-apostille add £30 per document. Next-day UK delivery £25 per order.
Notary appointment only
| Personal documents and powers of attorneyin person; by video from £195 | £135 |
|---|---|
| Business and property documentsin person; by video from £195 | £150 |
| Certified copy of a passport or identity documentin person or by video | £95 |
Plus VAT, per document. Out of hours, 7 days a week, from £195. Embassy or consular, translation and courier charges are quoted in writing before you proceed.
Three ways to get it done
Online by video
For signatories in England and Wales, where the act, the document and the receiving authority allow it. From £195 plus VAT.
Book a video appointment →In person, Gray’s Inn Road
Fox Court, 14 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8HN. Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, plus evenings and weekends out of hours.
Book at our office →By post, courier or by hand
Already signed, or a UK certificate that only needs an apostille? Post, courier or hand-deliver the original to us and we take it from there.
Send us your document →
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Documents for China
Anything else? Email team@internationalnotary.co.uk or call 020 3488 4195.
Do UK documents for China still need the Chinese Embassy’s stamp?
No, for mainland China. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK state that, from 7 November 2023, apostilled UK documents can be used without consular legalisation, and that they no longer provide it.
My instructions mention Chinese Embassy legalisation. What should I do?
Instructions written before 7 November 2023 may describe the old route. Send them to us and we confirm the current route with you before you pay.
Can you do company documents for China?
Yes. A company document, notarised and apostilled, is £245 plus VAT per document, including the FCDO fee.
Can you help with a degree certificate for work in China?
Yes. A degree certificate or transcript, verified with the university, notarised and apostilled, is £190 plus VAT per document, plus the university’s verification fee at cost, confirmed before you pay.
Can I sign online?
Possibly, if you are in England and Wales. The Notary first checks that the act, the document and the recipient permit online notarisation. Some matters need an in-person appointment.
How much will it cost in total?
Notarisation and the UK FCDO apostille are fixed fees per document, set out in the table above: for example, a power of attorney notarised and apostilled is £230 plus VAT, including the FCDO fee. Any embassy or consular, translation or courier charges for China are quoted in writing before you proceed, so you know the full cost before you pay.
How long does it take?
Notary appointments are usually available the same day, with 2 hours’ notice. A standard UK FCDO apostille takes 3 working days, an urgent apostille 1 working day, and an e-apostille usually arrives within 24 hours.
How do I get the finished document back?
Collect it from our Gray’s Inn Road office, or choose next-day UK delivery for £25 plus VAT per order. International courier is quoted in writing. E-apostilles are emailed.
Sources and checks
Last checked: 9 November 2026. HCCH: Apostille Convention status table (China, in force 7 November 2023); Chinese Consulate General in Manchester: Notice on the cessation of consular legalisation at the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK (26 October 2023); GOV.UK: Get your document legalised.
Requirements are set by the receiving organisation and the authorities in China. We confirm the route for your document before you pay.
Ready for China? Book the Notary today.
Or send us the document and the recipient’s instructions. We reply within one hour in office hours with the route and a fixed fee.