I. On March 8, 2023, China acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (hereinafter referred to as the Convention). Starting from November 7, 2023, the Convention entered into force between China and Belgium. The Convention will continue to apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR of China.

II. Starting from November 7, 2023, public documents within the scope of the Convention issued in Belgium, after an Apostille by Belgium is obtained, can be sent to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR for use without the need to apply for consular legalization by Belgium and the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Belgium.

III. Starting from November 7, 2023, consular legalization services by the Embassy in Belgium will no longer be provided. For public documents issued by Belgium to be used in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, please apply for Apostilles from competent authorities of Belgium.

IV. According to the Convention, an Apostille issued by the country of origin is to certify the authenticity of the signature on a public document, the capacity in which the person signing the documents has acted and, where appropriate, the authenticity of the seal or stamp which it bears. A public document with an Apostille of Belgium may not necessarily be accepted by relevant Chinese authorities requiring the document. It is recommended that applicants check in advance with the relevant Chinese authorities about the format, content, time limit, translation and other specific requirements regarding the public document before applying for an Apostille.

Appendix 1: List of foreign affairs offices of local governments authorized to issue apostilles

Appendix 2: Information concerning apostille applications in Belgium

                        Chinese Embassy in Belgium

                          24 October , 2023

Appendix 1

List of local government foreign affairs offices authorized to issue apostilles

(31 offices in total)

Provincial offices: Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Hunan, Hainan, Jilin, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Sichuan, Shandong, Shanghai, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Gansu, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia

Municipal offices: Changchun, Harbin, Ningbo, Jinan, Qingdao, Shenzhen

Appendix 2

Information concerning apostille applications in Belgium

The Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs is the only competent authority that issues apostilles in Belgium. No paper apostilles have been issued in Belgium since May 1, 2018. Apostilles are issued in electronic format only. Individuals cannot apply for an apostille directly from the FPS Foreign Affairs. Depending on the nature of the document, the application must be submitted via the municipality, notaries, sworn translators, and other institutions or personnel registered with the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs via the eLégalisation system.

For more detailed information, please visit the website of the FPS Foreign Affairs at:

https://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr/legalisation-de-documents