关于海牙认证在中国的实用性及相关应用场景的说明

关于海牙认证在中国的实用性及相关应用场景的说明

Explanation on the Practicality and Relevant Application Scenarios of Apostille (Hague Apostille) in China

自 2023 年 11 月 7 日《取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》（以下简称《海牙公约》）在中国正式生效以来，海牙认证（即 “附加证明书”）已成为中国与其他缔约国间公文书跨境流转的核心证明方式，其在个人生活、企业经营、国际交流等领域的实用性显著，有效简化了跨国文书认证流程，降低了时间与经济成本。以下从核心价值、应用场景、操作要点三方面，详细说明海牙认证在中国的实用性。

Since the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (hereinafter referred to as the "Hague Convention") officially came into force in China on November 7, 2023, Apostille (Hague Apostille), also known as "Apostille Certificate", has become the core certification method for the cross-border circulation of public documents between China and other contracting states. Its practicality is remarkable in fields such as personal life, enterprise operations, and international exchanges, effectively simplifying the cross-border document certification process and reducing time and economic costs. The following details the practicality of Apostille in China from three aspects: core values, application scenarios, and operational key points.

一、海牙认证在中国的核心实用价值

I. Core Practical Values of Apostille in China

海牙认证在中国的核心价值，在于以 “一步式认证” 替代传统 “外交部门认证 + 使领馆认证” 的 “双认证” 流程，解决了跨国文书认证周期长、环节多、成本高的痛点，具体体现在三方面：

The core value of Apostille in China lies in replacing the traditional "double certification" process of "foreign affairs department certification + embassy/consulate certification" with "one-step certification", addressing the pain points of long cycles, multiple links, and high costs in cross-border document certification. Specifically, it is reflected in three aspects:

（一）简化流程，缩短时间

(I) Simplify Processes and Shorten Time

传统领事认证需经多部门核验，周期常达数周至数月；而海牙认证仅需由文件签发国指定机构（如中国外交部、其他缔约国的外交部或最高法院）出具附加证明书，即可在中西方约 120 个缔约国间直接流转。以中国公民使用海外学历为例，无需再经目的国驻华使领馆二次认证，办理周期可缩短 60% 以上。

Traditional consular certification requires verification by multiple departments, with a cycle often ranging from several weeks to months; while Apostille only requires an Apostille Certificate issued by a designated authority of the document-issuing country (such as China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign affairs departments or supreme courts of other contracting states) to circulate directly among approximately 120 contracting states in China and Western countries. For Chinese citizens using overseas academic qualifications, for example, there is no need for secondary certification by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in China, and the processing cycle can be shortened by more than 60%.

（二）降低成本，减少支出

(II) Reduce Costs and Expenses

相较于传统双认证的多重手续费、翻译费、跑腿成本，海牙认证环节简化后，整体费用降低约 30%。同时，中国自 2025 年 6 月 18 日起试点签发电子附加证明书（首批覆盖贸促会原产地证书，后续将扩至所有境内公文书），实现 “零跑腿” 在线办理，进一步节省交通、邮寄等隐性成本。

Compared with the multiple handling fees, translation fees, and travel costs of traditional double certification, the overall cost of Apostille is reduced by approximately 30% due to simplified procedures. Meanwhile, China has piloted the issuance of electronic Apostille Certificates since June 18, 2025 (first covering COPIC 原产地证书，and will be expanded to all domestic public documents subsequently), realizing "zero travel" online processing and further saving hidden costs such as transportation and express delivery.

（三）法律效力明确，互认范围广

(III) Clear Legal Effect and Wide Scope of Mutual Recognition

根据《海牙公约》规定，经海牙认证的文件在中国与其他缔约国间具有同等法律效力，中国相关部门（如教育局、市场监管局、法院等）均认可其真实性。截至 2025 年 11 月，全球已有 120 余个国家和地区加入《海牙公约》，包括美国、英国、日本、韩国、澳大利亚、德国等中国公民 / 企业高频往来的国家，覆盖教育、商贸、民事等核心场景。

In accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention, documents authenticated by Apostille have equal legal effect between China and other contracting states, and their authenticity is recognized by relevant Chinese authorities (such as education bureaus, market supervision bureaus, and courts). As of November 2025, more than 120 countries and regions around the world have joined the Hague Convention, including countries with frequent exchanges with Chinese citizens/enterprises such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Germany, covering core scenarios such as education, commerce, and civil affairs.

二、海牙认证在中国的主要应用场景

II. Main Application Scenarios of Apostille in China

结合中国实际需求，海牙认证的实用性集中体现在个人跨境事务、企业国际经营、国际交流合作三大领域，具体场景及案例如下：

Combined with China's actual needs, the practicality of Apostille is concentrated in three major fields: personal cross-border affairs, international business operations of enterprises, and international exchanges and cooperation. The specific scenarios and cases are as follows:

（一）个人跨境事务：解决教育、移民、民事证明的 “认证书刚需”

(I) Personal Cross-border Affairs: Meeting the "Rigid Demand for Certification" in Education, Immigration, and Civil Certification

海牙认证是中国公民处理海外学历认可、移民材料提交、跨国婚姻证明等事务的关键凭证，常见场景包括：

Apostille is a key document for Chinese citizens to handle matters such as the recognition of overseas academic qualifications, submission of immigration materials, and proof of cross-border marriage. Common scenarios include:

1. 教育领域

1. Education Field

海外学历、成绩单的国内认可。例如，中国公民在澳洲、美国获得的硕士学位，若需在国内求职、考公或升学，经海牙认证后，可直接提交至教育部留学服务中心或用人单位，无需再办理目的国驻华使领馆认证；对于无法通过 “中留服认证” 的海外单证硕博学历，海牙认证可作为其在国内部分企业、民办院校认可的核心依据。

Domestic recognition of overseas academic qualifications and transcripts. For example, if a Chinese citizen obtains a master's degree in Australia or the United States and needs to apply for a job, take public service examinations, or pursue further studies in China, after Apostille certification, it can be directly submitted to the Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) or the employer without the need for certification by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in China; for overseas single-certificate master's and doctoral degrees that cannot pass the "CSCSE certification", Apostille can serve as the core basis for recognition by some domestic enterprises and private colleges and universities.

2. 移民与居留

2. Immigration and Residence

海外无犯罪记录证明、出生证明的国内核验。例如，中国公民申请加拿大、欧洲国家移民时，需提供经海牙认证的国内无犯罪记录证明；外籍人士来华工作居留，其本国出具的出生证明、婚姻证明经海牙认证后，可直接用于中国出入境管理部门的材料审核。

Domestic verification of overseas certificate of no criminal record and birth certificate. For example, when a Chinese citizen applies for immigration to Canada or European countries, they need to provide a domestic certificate of no criminal record authenticated by Apostille; for foreigners working and residing in China, their birth certificate and marriage certificate issued by their home country, after Apostille certification, can be directly used for document review by Chinese entry-exit management authorities.

3. 民事事务

3. Civil Affairs

跨国婚姻、遗产继承的法律文件认可。例如，中国公民在加拿大登记结婚后，若需在国内办理配偶签证或房产共有登记，经海牙认证的加拿大结婚证可直接被中国民政局、法院认可，无需再经加拿大驻华使馆二次认证。

Recognition of legal documents for cross-border marriage and inheritance. For example, after a Chinese citizen registers their marriage in Canada, if they need to apply for a spouse visa or joint property registration in China, the Canadian marriage certificate authenticated by Apostille can be directly recognized by China's civil affairs bureau and courts without the need for secondary certification by the Canadian Embassy in China.

（二）企业国际经营：降低外贸、投资、合规的 “文件认证门槛”

(II) International Business Operations of Enterprises: Lowering the "Document Certification Threshold" for Foreign Trade, Investment, and Compliance

对于开展跨境业务的中国企业或外资企业，海牙认证是其商业文件在中国境内外流转的 “通行证”，可覆盖企业注册、合同签署、资质认定等场景：

For Chinese enterprises or foreign-invested enterprises engaged in cross-border business, Apostille is a "pass" for the circulation of their commercial documents within and outside China, covering scenarios such as enterprise registration, contract signing, and qualification recognition:

1. 外资企业入华

1. Foreign-funded Enterprises Entering China

外国公司注册资料的国内备案。例如，美国企业计划在华设立分公司，其本国出具的公司注册证书、董事会决议经海牙认证后，可直接提交至中国市场监管部门办理登记，无需再经美国驻华使馆认证，流程周期从原 2 个月缩短至 1-2 周。

Domestic filing of foreign company registration materials. For example, if a U.S. enterprise plans to establish a branch in China, its company registration certificate and board resolution issued by the U.S. can be directly submitted to Chinese market supervision authorities for registration after Apostille certification, without the need for certification by the U.S. Embassy in China. The process cycle is shortened from the original 2 months to 1-2 weeks.

2. 中国企业出海

2. Chinese Enterprises Going Global

国内商业文件的海外使用。例如，中国出口企业向德国客户提供 ISO 体系认证证书、产品授权书时，经中国外交部海牙认证后，可直接被德国海关、客户方认可，避免因认证缺失导致的订单延误。

Overseas use of domestic commercial documents. For example, when a Chinese export enterprise provides ISO system certification certificates and product authorization certificates to German customers, after Apostille certification by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they can be directly recognized by German customs and the customer, avoiding order delays caused by lack of certification.

3. 跨国合同与诉讼

3. Cross-border Contracts and Litigation

法律文件的跨境效力保障。例如，中德企业签订合作协议，若协议需在中国法院执行，德国企业出具的授权委托书经海牙认证后，中国法院可直接认可其合法性，无需再走领事认证流程。

Guarantee of cross-border effectiveness of legal documents. For example, when a Chinese and a German enterprise sign a cooperation agreement, if the agreement needs to be enforced by a Chinese court, the power of attorney issued by the German enterprise, after Apostille certification, can be directly recognized as legitimate by the Chinese court without going through the consular certification process.

（三）国际交流合作：支撑学术、文化、司法领域的 “文件互认”

(III) International Exchanges and Cooperation: Supporting "Document Mutual Recognition" in Academic, Cultural, and Judicial Fields

在学术交流、司法协作等领域，海牙认证为中国机构与海外机构的合作提供了便利，例如：

In fields such as academic exchanges and judicial cooperation, Apostille facilitates cooperation between Chinese institutions and overseas institutions. Examples include:

1. 学术交流

1. Academic Exchanges

中国高校与海外院校联合科研时，国内出具的学术成果证明、专家资质文件经海牙认证后，可直接被海外院校认可，无需再经对方国家教育部门二次核验。

When Chinese universities conduct joint scientific research with overseas institutions, the academic achievement certificates and expert qualification documents issued in China, after Apostille certification, can be directly recognized by overseas institutions without the need for secondary verification by the education department of the other country.

2. 司法协作

2. Judicial Cooperation

跨国诉讼中的法律文书传递。例如，中国法院需向英国当事人送达判决书，经海牙认证的判决书可直接由英国法院接收，无需再经英国驻华使领馆认证，提升司法协作效率。

Transmission of legal documents in cross-border litigation. For example, if a Chinese court needs to serve a judgment on a British party, the judgment authenticated by Apostille can be directly received by the British court without the need for certification by the British Embassy in China, improving the efficiency of judicial cooperation.

三、海牙认证在中国的操作要点（含国内文件认证与海外文件核验）

III. Operational Key Points of Apostille in China (Including Certification of Domestic Documents and Verification of Overseas Documents)

要充分发挥海牙认证的实用性，需明确中国境内外文件的认证流程、核验方式，避免因操作不当导致文件无效：

To give full play to the practicality of Apostille, it is necessary to clarify the certification process and verification methods of documents inside and outside China, so as to avoid document invalidity due to improper operation:

（一）中国境内文件办理海牙认证的流程

(I) Process for Handling Apostille for Domestic Documents in China

若需将中国出具的公文书（如身份证公证、营业执照公证、学历公证等）用于海外缔约国，需按以下步骤办理海牙认证：

If public documents issued in China (such as ID card notarization, business license notarization, academic qualification notarization, etc.) need to be used in overseas contracting states, Apostille shall be handled in accordance with the following steps:

1. 文件公证：先由中国境内有资质的公证处对文件真实性进行公证（如学历证书需先公证 “原件与复印件一致”“签署人身份合法”）；

2. Document Notarization:      First, a qualified notary public office in China shall notarize the      authenticity of the document (for example, academic qualification      certificates need to be notarized as "the original is consistent with      the copy" and "the signatory's identity is legal");

3. 提交海牙认证申请：将公证后的文件递交至中国指定认证机构 —— 外交部领事司（或委托地方外办代办），填写《附加证明书申请表》并缴纳费用；

4. Submit Apostille      Application: Submit the notarized document to China's designated      certification authority - the Department of Consular Affairs of the      Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or entrust local foreign affairs offices to      handle it on behalf), fill in the "Application Form for Apostille      Certificate" and pay the fee;

5. 领取认证文件：审核通过后，领取纸质附加证明书（或在线领取电子附加证明书，适用于试点文书），文件即可用于海外缔约国。

6. Collect Certified      Documents: After approval, collect the paper Apostille Certificate (or      collect the electronic Apostille Certificate online, applicable to pilot      documents), and the document can be used in overseas contracting states.

（二）海外文件在中国使用的核验方式

(II) Verification Methods for Overseas Documents Used in China

若海外缔约国出具的海牙认证文件（如海外学历、外国公司注册证）需在中国使用，可通过官方渠道核验真实性，确保文件有效：

If Apostille documents issued by overseas contracting states (such as overseas academic qualifications, foreign company registration certificates) need to be used in China, their authenticity can be verified through official channels to ensure the validity of the documents:

1. 中国签发的附加证明书：实体版可通过 “中国领事服务网”（http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/）“文书核查” 栏目，输入认证号和贴纸号查询；电子版可通过外交部 “领事认证 / 附加证明书在线核查系统” 直接核验；

2. Apostille Certificates      Issued by China: The physical version can be queried by entering the      certification number and sticker number in the "Document      Verification" column of the "China Consular Services      Network" (http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/); the electronic version can be directly verified through the      Ministry of Foreign Affairs' "Consular Certification/Apostille Online      Verification System";

3. 海外缔约国签发的附加证明书：已加入 “电子海牙认证计划（e-APP）” 的 52 个国家 / 地区的电子认证文件，可通过 e-APP 系统核验；未加入该计划的国家文件，可联系其海牙认证主管机关（如该国外交部）或通过海牙国际私法会议官网查询核验方式。

4. Apostille Certificates      Issued by Overseas Contracting States: Electronic certification documents      from 52 countries/regions that have joined the "Electronic Apostille      Program (e-APP)" can be verified through the e-APP system; for      documents from countries not participating in the program, the      verification method can be inquired by contacting their competent      authority for Apostille (such as the country's foreign affairs department)      or through the official website of the Hague Conference on Private      International Law.

（三）注意事项：避免 “非缔约国误用”

(III) Notes: Avoid "Misuse in Non-Contracting States"

海牙认证仅适用于中国与其他缔约国之间，若文件需用于非缔约国（如越南、埃及、阿联酋等），则不能使用海牙认证，仍需办理传统领事认证。因此，在办理前需先确认目的国是否为《海牙公约》缔约国（可通过海牙国际私法会议官网查询完整名单），避免因认证方式错误导致文件无效。

Apostille is only applicable between China and other contracting states. If the document needs to be used in a non-contracting state (such as Vietnam, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, etc.), Apostille cannot be used, and traditional consular certification is still required. Therefore, before processing, it is necessary to confirm whether the destination country is a contracting state of the Hague Convention (the complete list can be queried through the official website of the Hague Conference on Private International Law) to avoid document invalidity due to incorrect certification methods.

四、总结

IV. Summary

海牙认证在中国的实用性，本质是 “全球化需求与简化流程” 的结合 —— 它不仅解决了中国公民、企业跨国事务中的 “认证书痛点”，更通过明确的法律效力、广泛的互认范围，成为中国与国际社会对接的 “文书桥梁”。随着中国电子附加证明书的推广、更多国家加入《海牙公约》，海牙认证的实用性将进一步提升，为个人跨境生活、企业国际经营、中外交流合作提供更高效的支持。

The practicality of Apostille in China is essentially a combination of "globalization needs and simplified processes" - it not only solves the "certification pain points" of Chinese citizens and enterprises in cross-border affairs, but also becomes a "documentary bridge" connecting China with the international community through its clear legal effect and wide scope of mutual recognition. With the promotion of China's electronic Apostille Certificates and more countries joining the Hague Convention, the practicality of Apostille will be further enhanced, providing more efficient support for personal cross-border life, international business operations of enterprises, and Sino-foreign exchanges and cooperation.

如需办理海牙认证，可通过中国外交部官网、中国贸促会平台查询最新流程，或咨询专业认证机构，确保文件符合中国及目的国的要求，充分发挥其实用价值。

For those needing to handle Apostille, the latest process can be queried through the official website of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) platform, or consult professional certification institutions to ensure that the documents meet the requirements of China and the destination country and give full play to their practical value.