Are you planning to teach in China and need to certify and legalize your documents through the China Embassy in Washington, D.C.?

In order to satisfy the requirements of a China work Visa (Z Visa), you will need to certify and legalize your FBI background check, University/College degree, and TEFL certificate.  If your TEFL certificate was issued by a school in the USA, you will need to contact the school and request for the certificate to be signed and notarized. We cannot process TEFL certificates from schools located outside of the USA.

In order to process your documents, you will need to mail them in together to our office for processing.  Please contact us so we can email you the instructions, cost, and order forms.

China is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents).  Documents originating from the USA and destined for this country requires several steps to complete. These steps are necessary in order for the country of China to accept your documents.

Here is an illustration to help explain the process:

We have provided instructions on how to obtain your documents here:

FBI Background Check:

The first step in obtaining your FBI Background Check is to contact an FBI Approved Channeler. An FBI channeler will provide you step by step instructions including sending you a fingerprint card. Once you receive your background check, you can then mail-in this document to our Washington DC apostille office for processing.  If you are located outside of the country and need to obtain your FBI background check, the FBI approved channeler will provide you instructions on how to obtain a digital copy of your FBI background check.  

University/College Diploma:

Step #1: The first step is to contact the School’s Registrar and inform the Registrar that you will need the original or a color copy of your diploma to be signed and notarized.  The Registrar with either ask you to mail in the original or email a color copy. Some schools request that you purchase a new diploma. If the school does not have a notary on staff, a traveling notary can visit the school and meet with the Registrar.  You can search online and arrange for a traveling notary service to visit the school when it’s convenient for the Registrar.  Most notaries are unfamiliar with authenticating a diploma for another country so it’s best to leave the apostille process to us.  The notary must follow the proper notarial laws of their State in order for the State office to authenticate the documents.

Step #2: Once you receive your notarized diploma, go ahead and verify that the diploma has been signed and notarized.  Some schools will sign and notarize the back of the diploma while others have enough space to use the front.  The original signature and the printed name of the Registrar must be on the documents including the notary’s name, signature, date of notarization, notarial wording, and stamp.

TEFL Certificates:

In order to apostille this certificate, the school must attest to the validity of the certificate by either notarizing the original or a color copy (original is preferred).  The school must also be located within the United States.

Certifying, legalizing, and attesting documents for China can be complicated and time consuming. Don’t leave this process to untrained employees or non-professionals who do not fully understand the Apostille process and the unique requirements of certain countries. Your paperwork could be rejected costing you time and money. Don’t let this happen to you!

Our staff is available Monday-Saturday from 9am to 6pm to answer your questions and provide you easy to follow-step-by-step instructions.  Please call us at 1-800-850-3441.

Click on the download image to your left to get started. Our apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.