On March 8, 2023, China acceded to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents ("Hague Convention"). The legal effects of the Hague Convention will enter into force on November 7, 2023 in Mainland China.

After accession to the Convention, the use of documents between China and other signatories to the Hague Convention does not need authentication and/or legalization by embassies or consulates. Any public document of any signatory state affixed with the apostille is taken as legally effective in China and vice versa. The procedure will be significantly simplified. Currently, more than 120 countries and regions have acceded to the Convention.

BEFORE

AFTER

Enterprises and individuals engaged in cross-border trade and judicial activities, such as investment, litigation, inheritance, immigration and other matters, will benefit from this change. The time for making ready a document for the use in China can be reduced from about 20 working days to 3-5 working days.