Two countries
Apostille from China to France
At a glance
Can a document from China be used in France?
| Result | Check HCCH for this specific country pair. |
|---|---|
| China | Uses apostilles member since (joined with an acceptance procedure)1 |
| France | Uses apostilles member since 1 |
| Apostille issued by | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China2 Foreign Affairs Offices of Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Changchun, Harbin, Ningbo and Jinan2 |
| Fee in China | CN¥50 (per document, civil affairs documents, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)3 CN¥100 (per document, business affairs documents, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)3 CN¥50 (per document, extra charge for express service)3 |
| Processing time in China | Not published by the office3 |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get a document from China ready for France
- Have the document first notarised by a notary public office in mainland China or verified by the competent authority; diplomas, degree certificates and transcripts cannot be apostilled directly and need a notarial certificate first.3
- Apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, which handles documents from all of mainland China, or to an authorised Foreign Affairs Office for documents issued in its own province, region or municipality.3
- Book an appointment through the Alipay mini-app 'Consular Service Center' and go to the Legalisation Service Reception at the booked time.3
- Bring a valid ID (foreign citizens bring their original passport and a copy of the information page), the original notarial certificate or a CCPIT commercial certificate, and any other material the Ministry asks for.4
- To apply by mail, book the mail-in and return-mail service in the same mini-app.3
- Pay the fee for civil or business affairs documents, with an extra 50 yuan per document if express service is wanted.3
- Give the document, with its apostille or legalisation, to the office in France that asked for it.
Situations
When the answer changes
- Private documents.A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
- The other direction. For a document from France used in China, the apostille or legalisation starts in France. Check France to China
- Objections. China joined with an acceptance procedure. If either country objected, the Convention does not apply between them; the HCCH status table shows the objections.
Note: What the apostille confirms
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about documents from China for France
Is an apostille from China accepted in France?
Usually, but check this pair. Both are members of the Apostille Convention, but China joined with an acceptance procedure, so the Convention does not apply where another member objected. The HCCH status table lists the objections. Where it applies, the apostille is issued in China by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and 1 other office. The published fee in China is CN¥50. Last checked 18 October 2026 against the HCCH status table.
Who issues the apostille for a document from China?
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Foreign Affairs Offices of Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Changchun, Harbin, Ningbo and Jinan. The apostille is always issued in the country the document comes from, not in France.
How much does the apostille cost in China?
The published fee in China is CN¥50. Fees can change, so check the office's own page before you apply.
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public in China. The apostille then goes on the notary's certificate.
Does France also need a translation?
The office in France that receives the document decides. Ask it before you start whether it needs a translation, and whether the translation needs its own certification.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- China (Mainland) - Competent Authorities (Art. 6)
- Consular Legalisation/Apostillisation Q&A
- Consular Legalisation/Apostillisation in China
- France - Competent Authority (Art. 6)
- Modification de la liste des autorités compétentes pour délivrer des apostilles en France
- Décret n° 2021-1205 du 17 septembre 2021 relatif à la légalisation et à l'apostille des actes publics établis par les autorités françaises
- Accueil - Portail Grand Public
- Legalization or apostille of a public act drawn up by a French authority
- Centre de Légalisation et de l'Apostille de Paris (CLAP)
- Apostille et légalisation - Chambre des Notaires de l'Essonne
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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