Documents Accepted for Apostille Service
Documents accepted for apostille service are broadly classified into the following two categories
Public documents bearing the true signature of an official party such as a Hong Kong SAR Government recognized officer. For example,
- Marriage Certificate, ie. certificates signed by Deputy Registrar of Marriage
(For certificates signed by civil celebrants or issued by the church/temple, please obtain a certified true copy from the Record Office of the Marriage Registry)
- Certificate of Absence of Marriage Record
- Birth and Death Certificate
- Certificate of Registered Particulars
- Business Registration Certificate
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Certificate of Change of Company Name
- Certificate of Continuing Registration
- Certificate issued under section 305(1) of the Companies Ordinance', etc.
Documents signed by a notary public or a Commissioner for Oaths in Hong Kong. For example,
(a) Notary Public
- Power of Attorney
- Certified true copy
(b) Commissioner for Oaths
- Declaration
What is Notary Public?
A notary public is primarily concerned with the preparation and authentication of documents for use abroad. Notaries public are widely recognised internationally.
A notary public identifies himself on documents by the use of his individual seal. Such seals have historical origins and are regarded by most other countries as of great importance for establishing the genuineness of a document. A notary public's seal is registered with the High Court of Hong Kong and with many foreign consulates. Procedures exist for the seal to be further authenticated – a process called 'legalisation'.
What is China Attesting?
- China-Appointed Attesting Officers ("Attesting Officers") are qualified Hong Kong lawyers who have been appointed by the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China after passing the prescribed qualifying examinations.
- Their scope of business includes attesting and certifying acts, matters and documents of legal significance occurring in or emanating from Hong Kong and such attested documents are for use in Mainland China. To be legally valid and protected by the laws of the PRC, attested documents issued by Attesting Officers for use in Mainland China must be sent to the "China Legal Services (H.K.) Limited" for "Sealing and Transfer Delivery".
What are the types of documents that can be attested ?
Documents attested by Attesting Officers are broadly divided into the following types:
- Declarations;
- Certification;
- Witnessing of execution of legal documents;
- Certification of original and duplicate documents and
- Certification of legal facts including company particulars and resolutions of directors and/or shareholders of companies.
