Notice on the Abolition of consular legalization services after China joins The Convention Abolishing the Requirement of legalization for Foreign Public Documents

1. On 8 March, 2023, China joined The Convention Abolishing the Requirement of legalization for Foreign Public Documents (hereinafter referred to as the Convention). On 7 November, 2023, the Convention will enter into force between China and Bahrain. The Convention will continue to apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and the Macao Special Administrative Region of China.

2. Starting from 7 November, 2023, public documents within the scope of the Convention issued by Bahrain only need to apply for an additional certificate (Apostille) from Bahrain before they are sent to Chinese mainland for use. There is no need to apply for the consular legalization by Bahrain and the Embassy of China in Bahrain.

Public documents within the scope of the Convention sent from China to Bahrain for use will be issued Apostilles instead of consular legalization by Chinese authorities and the Embassy of Bahrain in China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China is the competent authority to issuing Apostilles for public documents produced within Chinese mainland. Authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the foreign affairs offices of relevant local people's governments in China can issue Apostilles for public documents produced within their  administrative regions. For online Apostilles verification, please log into https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VERIFY/. For specific procedures and requirements for applying for Apostilles, please log on to the China Consular Service website (http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/) or the websites of relevant local Foreign Affairs Offices.

3. Starting from 7 November, 2023, our embassy will cease consular legalization services. For public documents issued by Bahrain that are intended to be used in Chinese mainland, please apply for Apostilles from the Bahrain competent authority(For information, please log on to https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Consular/Legalization/tabid/151/language/en-US/Default.aspx).

4. According to the provisions of the Convention, an Apostille is used to certify the authenticity of the signature on a document, the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which it bears. The completion of the Bahrain apostille does not guarantee the acceptance of the public document by the relevant user in China. It is highly recommended to check in advance with the relevant party in China about specific requirements for format, content, time limit, translation, etc. of foreign public documents before going through the relevant procedures.

                  The Embassy of China in Bahrain

                    2023.10.24