1. The chain
Foreign ministry authentication, then consular legalisation.
2. What authentication does
It confirms the notary’s seal and signature are genuine.
It is the intermediary link that the mission relies on.
3. What legalisation adds
The mission’s confirmation that the ministry’s seal is genuine.
That is the link the destination accepts.
4. Why both
Because the destination does not recognise the notary directly, and the mission does not certify notaries.
5. What can break the chain
A document that changes after the ministry step.
A translation added later.
A missing page.
6. The timing
Notarisation, then authentication, then legalisation.
Each step depends on the previous one.
7. The scenario
An exporter added an annex to a contract after authentication.
The mission refused the document because it did not match what the ministry had authenticated.
8. The check
Do not modify any document after it leaves the notary.
If a change is needed, restart from the notary.
9. Closing view
The chain is three confirmations.
Each depends on the previous link being intact.
*This article is based on China’s consular authentication regulations, updated October 2026.*