The apostille procedure allows public documents to be authenticated within a few days. (Image source: Pixabay)

Until now, a time-consuming and costly authentication and legalization procedure was required before a public document could be presented to the Chinese consulate. This is to be abolished as of November 7, 2023. Instead, the “Hague Apostille” will confirm the authenticity of a public document. In the case of a German document, this task will be performed by a German authority. Through their confirmation alone, the document can be legalized. Further confirmation by the country in which the document is to be used is not necessary.

The Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau had already acceded to the convention. Now the People’s Republic of China will follow.

Sources: IHK Fulda; Rödl & Partner (german)