When Did China Join the Apostille Convention
China deposited its instrument of accession on 8 March 2023, and the Apostille Convention entered into force for China on 7 November 2023. From that date, public documents exchanged between China and other Contracting Parties no longer require consular legalization.
Key Points
- Instrument of accession deposited: 8 March 2023
- Entry into force: 7 November 2023
- Before that date all documents required consular legalization
- After that date Apostilles apply between Contracting Parties
- India objected to China's accession, so no Apostille between them
Legal Basis
HCCH status table; Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement.