Authentication of Death Certificate for Use in China

Online service purchase: click the link.

How to authenticate a death record/certificate for use in China?

A death record or certificate issued in the US must be authenticated by the Chinese Consulate or the Chinese Embassy in order to be used in China. Since China is not a member of Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille will not be accepted. The death certificate will first require authentication by the Secretary of State, then authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate as the last step.

How to obtain death certificate for use in China?

An immediate family member (spouse, parent, child or sibling) must contact the vital record office or department located where the death of the deceased is documented and make a request for a certified death record or certificate.

Important: New York requires a Letter of Exemplification to be issued along with the death certificate if you are to use the document internationally (click here for more details). Please check with your state’s regulations if a similar requirement exists.

Sample (click to enlarge):

I have obtained a death certificate, what is next?

You may proceed to Secretary of State authentication.

If your certificate is issued from the following states, further authentication by the US Department of State is required.

• Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming and Washington DC.

death certificate Chinese authenticationdeath certificate for use in Chinadeath record for use in China