China Document Attestation: Why Apostille Isn’t Enough

China Document Attestation Guide – SK Document Centre

Short answer: China joined the Apostille Convention on 7 November 2023, but India formally objected to China’s accession. The apostille therefore does not apply between India and China. Indian documents for China still need state attestation, MEA attestation and Chinese Embassy or Consulate legalisation.

Many websites say an apostille is now enough for China. For Indian documents, that is not correct. This guide explains why, and how China document attestation works.

Why the apostille doesn’t apply

Under Article 12 of the Apostille Convention, an existing member can object to a new member’s accession. If it does, the Convention does not operate between those two countries. India lodged an objection to China’s accession in September 2023.

The correct route

State attestation: HRD, SDM / Home Department or Chamber of Commerce
MEA attestation
Legalisation by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate
Translation into Chinese, where required

Common documents

Purpose	Documents
Work permit	Degree, PCC, experience letters
Study	Degree, transcripts
Family	Marriage and birth certificates
Business	Company documents, invoices, certificates of origin

Time

Usually 2–4 weeks for the full chain, depending on the document.

See China embassy attestation.

Documents going to China? Send a photo of the document or the instruction you received on WhatsApp or call +91 93109 70010. We tell you the exact process, time and charges before you spend anything.

Frequently asked questions

Is apostille valid for China from India?

No. India objected to China’s accession, so embassy legalisation is still required.

What is China embassy attestation?

Legalisation of an MEA-attested Indian document by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

How long does it take?

Usually 2–4 weeks.

Do documents need Chinese translation?

Some offices in China ask for it.