How to Apply for Chinese Consular Legalization

This guideline is a general notice observed by the Chinese Embassy and Consulate-Generals in South Africa.

During the Covid-19 epidemic, consular service of the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town will remain closed until further notice.

Please refer to words in italics for detailed instructions for applications lodged at the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town during this period.

Ⅰ. Introduction

The purpose of consular legalization is to ensure that a document issued in one country can be acknowledged by relevant authorities in another country, and the document can have its due legal effect, which shall not be affected by doubts on the authenticity of the seal or signature on it.

The Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General in South Africa can legalize notarial deeds or certificates issued by competent authorities in South Africa for use in mainland China. The deeds or certificates should be authenticated by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa (DIRCO) before being submitted to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General.

Ⅱ. Requirements

A document to be legalized should meet the following requirements:

1. The document should have been firstly authenticated by the DIRCO.

2. The document must be truthful, legal and bear no contents against the Chinese laws or harming China's national interests and social public interests.

3. A document with more than one page must be properly bound as a volume to avoid any substitution. Sealing wax, eyelet, paging seal or steel seal should be applied to ensure the integrity of the documents.

III. Materials Required for Application

1. Application Form of Consular Legalization of the Embassy/Consulate of the People’s Republic of China (download at http://za.china-embassy.org/chn/lqfw/bzzn/qzrzjzzm/P020180227803560208823.doc) duly completed and signed by the applicant).

2. The original and a photocopy of the document which have been authenticated by the DIRCO.

3. The original passport/ID of the applicant, and a photocopy of the photo/information page of the said passport/ID.

The original and a photocopy of a valid South African residence permit of the applicant, if the applicant is a non-South African citizen.

4. If an applicant has authorized an agent to submit the application on his/her behalf, the original and a photocopy of the agent’s passport/ID (and a local residence permit of the agent, if applicable) and a photocopy of the applicant's passport/ID shall be provided.

5. If the document is of a company/organization, relevant supporting documents shall be submitted as well, including:

A. The original and a photocopy of the passport/ID of the agent (the person who submits the application on behalf of the company/ organization);

B. Appointment letter signed by the legal representative of the company/organization;

C. Certificate of registration of the company/organization issued by competent authorities in South Africa, which bears the name of the said legal representative; and

D. A photocopy of the photo/information page of the passport/ID of the legal representative of the company/organization.

Please scan and email the digital version of all required documents to chinaconsul.cpt@gmail.com for preview and appointment.

Please follow the instructions in our confirmation email and send all the required documents along with proof of payment by courier to 25 Rhodes Ave., Newlands, Cape Town. No registered mail will be accepted.

IV. How to Apply

Please directly visit the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General to submit the application or entrust an agent to do it on your behalf. And please be noted that the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General only accepts the application by the applicant whose home address is in its consular district in South Africa. The consular district of the Chinese Consulate Generalin Cape Town includes the Western Cape Province, the Eastern Cape Province, and the Northern Cape Province. Application through postal service is unavailable.

Currently, the consular office of the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town processes all consular applications by mail. No visitors are accepted without appointments.

V. Processing Time

Four (4) working days. (During the Covid-19 epidemic, the courier pick up time for mail-in application is subject to our email or telephonic notification)

VI. Collection and Payment

1. The document can be collected on the pick-up day by the applicant or agent presenting the Pick-up Form (the pink slip) and proof of payment to the Chinese ConsulateGeneral in Cape Town.

Currently, the consular office of the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town processes all consular applications by mail and all applications will be returned by courier. No visitors are accepted without appointments.

2. As for the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town, the application fee must be paid into its designated bank account.

During the Covid-19 epidemic, please send all the required documents along with proof of payment by courier to the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town.

3. Application fees:

For the Chinese and South African citizens: Free of charge;

For other applicants: R300 for one set of civil document, R600 for one set of commercial document.

Details of the designated bank account is as follows:

Bank: Nedbank

Account Name: Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China In Cape Town

Account No.：1012645134

VII. Other Important Information

1. Consular officers at the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General shall review the document to be legalized. They shall not accept the document that is done in an incomplete procedure of notarization and authentication, found against Chinese laws and regulations, or forged and altered, and fails to meet the standards of documentation.

2. Consular officers may request the applicant to provide other supporting documents if necessary.

3. The documents which have been legalized by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General shall not be forged or altered. In case of forgery and alteration, the consular legalization certificate shall become invalid, and the applicant or another individual or organization who has one of the said behaviors, he/she or it shall bear corresponding legal liabilities.