How to obtain your Chinese non-criminal record, and have it certified with a Chinese apostille.

In this article, we will explain how people living in China can obtain their Chinese non-criminal record, and have it certified with a Chinese apostille (known in China as a notarial certificate).

For some cases, such as when moving back to their home country and applying for a new job, foreign nationals will need to provide a non-criminal record covering the time they spent in China, and have the Chinese apostille fixed to it.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate issued by the appointed authority in the country where the public document (such a university diploma or a non-criminal record) was drawn up, to certify that the document is genuine and authentic.

I am currently living in China. First of all how can I obtain my Chinese non-criminal record?

To obtain your Chinese non-criminal record while in China, you firstly need to go to your local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau (出入境管理部门), and bring the following documents with you:

• Valid passport
• Your old passports that cover your whole residence period in China
• Your registration form of temporary residence

Your non-criminal record certificate will then be issued to you

Ok great, so now how do I get my Chinese non-criminal record apostilled?

To have the apostille (or notarial certificate, as it is known in China) added to your notarized Chinese non-criminal record, you need to go to your local foreign affairs office (外事服务中心), and state the period the non-criminal record will cover. You must bring the following documents with you:

• Valid passport
• Your old passports that cover your whole residence period in China
• Your registration form of temporary residence
• The non-criminal record certificate you obtained at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau (see above)

Your non-criminal record certificate with the apostille added will then be issued to you.

If I can’t go a notary public office or foreign affairs office myself, can someone else go on my behalf?

Yes. If you can’t go to a notary public office or foreign affairs office yourself, all you need to do follow the steps below:

• Sign a Power of Attorney document (see example below), and give it to your contact to bring with him/her
• Take photo of yourself holding the signed Power of Attorney and your passport, and send it to your contact to bring with him/her
• Give your contact a copy of your Temporary Residence form, to bring with him/her
• Give your contact your original passport to bring with him/her

Translation of your non-criminal record

The notary will also translate your non-criminal record into a language of your choice.