1. On March 8, 2023, China joined the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention will enter into force among China, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein on November 7, 2023. The Convention will continue to apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region.
2. Starting from 7 November 2023, public documents within the scope of the Convention issued by the authorities of Switzerland or Liechtenstein only need to apply for an apostille before they can be sent to Chinese mainland for use. There is no need to apply for legalization by the Swiss or Liechtenstein authorities and the Embassy/Consulate-General of China in Switzerland.
Public documents within the scope of the Convention sent from China to Switzerland or Liechtenstein will no longer require the legalization by Chinese authorities and the Embassy/Consulate-General of Switzerland in China, but will instead require apostilles. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China is the competent authority for issuing apostilles for public documents issued in Chinese mainland. Entrusted by the Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Offices of relevant local governments in China can issue apostilles for public documents issued within their respective administrative areas ( See specific information in attachment 1 ). Apostilles can be verified online by visiting https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VERIFY/. For the specific procedures and requirements of applying for apostilles, please visit the website (http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/) or the website of the related Foreign Affairs Offices.
3. Starting from 7 November 2023, the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General in Switzerland will end the legalization services. For the public documents issued in Switzerland or Liechtenstein to be used in Chinese mainland, please apply for apostilles from the competent authorities of Switzerland or Liechtenstein (See specific information in attachment 2).
4. According to the provisions of the Convention, an apostille issued by relevant Swiss or Liechtenstein authority is used to certify the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the person who has signed the public document and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the public document bears. The completion of an apostille issued by relevant Swiss or Liechtenstein authority does not guarantee the acceptance of the public document by relevant user in China. It is recommended that you make an inquiry to the relevant party in China on the requirements of format, content, time limit and translation, etc. before proceeding with the relevant procedures.
Chinese Embassy in Switzerland
Chinese Consulate General in Zurich
October 31, 2023
Attachment 1: List of Authorized Local Foreign Affairs Offices for Issuing Apostilles
Attachment 2: Information for authority issuing Apostilles in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein