Introduction to Authentication
In line with international practice and consular practice in China, the purpose of consular authentication (legalization) is to ensure that notarial deeds issued in one country can be acknowledged by relevant authorities in another country, and the deeds can have its due legal effect, which shall not be affected by doubts on the authenticity of the seal or signature on the deeds.
The Chinese Embassy is responsible for legalizing notarial deeds and other documents that have been duly authenticated by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
All notarial deeds and other documents issued in The Bahamas need to be legalized for intended use in China. Documents intended to be used in Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR do NOT need authentication by the Chinese Embassy. However they need to be duly apostilled by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Procedures are as follows:
1. Have the document issued by the Bahamian Government (Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, No Criminal Record, etc.) authenticated directly by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then authenticated by the Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas.
2. Have the non-governmental document issued in The Bahamas (Affidavit, Declaration, Power of Attorney, etc.) notarized by a local Notary Public and authenticated by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then authenticated by the Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas.
Notice:
1. Documents issued in China (such as passports, ID cards, real estate certificates, company registration documents, etc.) will not be accepted for authentication.
2. The contents of document that do not conform to relevant Chinese policies or laws will not be accepted for authentication.
3. Notarized marital status, no-spouse declaration or certificate used to register marriage in mainland China will not be accepted for authentication if the validity period exceeds 6 months from the date of notarization or certificate issuance to the date of application for consular legalization.
4. Notarial certificates of marital status, health, property, income, and no criminal record used for adoption in mainland China will not be accepted for authentication if the validity period exceeds 6 months from the date of notarization issuance to the date of application for consular legalization.
5. Documents sent to third countries for use will not be accepted for authentication. Such documents should be legalized by the embassy in The Bahamas of the country where the documents will be used.
6. In accordance with the international practice and the Chinese regulation, the Chinese Embassy authenticates only the officer's signature and the seal of the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will not be responsible for the contents of the documents.
7. Documents notarized by Notary Public, legalized by the the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and authenticated by the Chinese Embassy should be in their original shape. Applicants should not take apart the original documents (notarized, authenticated or legalized) or attach any other pages to the original documents, otherwise should bear full legal responsibility arising therefrom.
Requirements:
The applicant for consular authentication of the document should be the party to the document. Chinese or foreign citizens or legal persons of enterprises or organizations who apply for consular authentication of documents to the embassy should submit the following materials:
Personal documents
1. Original and photocopy of the valid passport or identity card of the applicant (agent) of the document (if another person is acting on his/her behalf, the applicant's valid passport or identity card copy should be provided, and the agent should provide the original and photocopy of his/her own valid passport or identity card; Chinese and third-country citizens should submit a valid passport or travel document).
Application for authentication of the death certificate should be submitted by the next of kin of the deceased, who must provide his/her passport or identity card, the proof of kinship or a written statement of the next of kin of the deceased and the deceased's passport or identity card if available. If the next of kin of the deceased entrusts another person to act on his/her behalf, he/she must provide the power of attorney, and the original and photocopy of the agent's passport or identity card are required.
The applicant with no or limited capacity for civil conduct must be represented by a legal representative, who must provide his/her passport or identity card and a document that can prove that he/she has the power of attorney. The legal representative may entrust another person to act on his/her behalf, and the agent should submit the original and photocopy of his/her passport or identity card and contact information.
2. Application Form of Consular Legalization of the Embassy/Consulate of the People's Republic of China (can be downloaded from the website of the Embassy, and the applicant's signature is required.
3. The original documents certified by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the photocopy of the certification issued by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ie, the signature and seal page of the responsible person).
4. Other relevant materials that the Embassy may require to provide according to the needs of the individual case.
Commercial documents
1. Photocopy of the legal registration certificate of the enterprise or organization.
2. Original and photocopy of the valid passport or identity card of the person in charge indicated on the registration certificate of the enterprise or organization (if another person is acting on his/her behalf, a copy of the valid passport or identity card of the person in charge of the enterprise or organization is required, and the agent needs to provide the original and photocopy of his/her own valid passport or identity card; Chinese citizen and third-country citizen should submit a valid passport or travel document).
3. Application Form of Consular Legalization of the Embassy/Consulate of the People's Republic of China (can be downloaded from the website of the Embassy, and the applicant's signature is required).
4. The original documents certified by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the photocopy of the certification issued by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ie, the signature and seal page of the responsible person).
5. Other relevant materials that the Embassy may require to provide according to the needs of the individual case.
Processing Time
Regular service: 4 business days
Express service: 3 business days
Rush service: 2 business day. Available only in extreme emergencies and subject to approval by the consular officer.
Fees
1. Regular Service
For Chinese applicants:
Civil documents: $8 per item
Commercial documents: $16 per item
For applicants of other countries:
Civil documents: $20 per item
Commercial documents: $40 per item
2. Express Service: an additional fee of $25 per item
3. Rush service: an additional fee of $37 per item
Methods of Payment
You must pay your authentication fee upon collection of your documents. Only credit or debit card is accepted.
Contacts
Consular Office Address: Shirley Street East, Nassau, The Bahamas
Working hours: 9:30am-12:00am, every Friday
Email: nassau@csm.mfa.gov.cn
Tel: +1-242-4672969 (9:00am-12:00am; 14:30pm-17:00pm Monday to Friday)