Legalization means the authentication of the last signature or seal / stamp of the relevant authority affixed on a document. A legalization in no way attests to the authenticity of the contents of a document.

Ⅰ.Steps for legalization

To have a document which was executed in the State of Palestine be accepted in the People's Republic of China, the document shall first be notarized by an Palestine Notary Public, then authenticated by the Legalization Office of the Notary Public Foreign Ministry and finally be authenticated by the Chinese Office.

Ⅱ.Requirements for legalization

1)Before submit your documents, please complete a legalization application form.

2)The original document authenticated by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry and its complete duplicate.

3)A document which contains more than two pages should be tightly banded with ribbons and notary public seal should be produced to avoid any forge behavior.

4)Documents for civil affairs, the original and copy of passport of the applicant are required. If application is submitted through a third-person, the original and copy of the passport or ID of the third-person are also required.

5)Documents for business affairs, the copy of the registration certificate and passport of the legal representative are required.If application is submitted through a third-person, the original and copy of the passport or ID of the third-person are also required.

Notes:

Please be advised that the legalization only confirms that the signature of an official of Palestinian Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the apostil attached to your document is genuine. It does not mean that the contents of the document are correct or this office approves of the contents.

On the receipt of the application, the Office will only issue the applicant with a pick-up form, rather than signing any document.

Ⅲ.Processing time & Fees

The legalization fee is 170 shekels for each commercial document or document related to estate or property and free for each document of the other types. Normal service takes four (4) working days. Urgent service takes two (2) working days. Urgent service-fee is 100 shekels per document.

Ⅳ.Frequent Asked Questions

1. Is China a party to the 1969 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents?

No. At present time, China is not a party to the above-mentioned Convention, but the Convention is applicable in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR.

2. Does the Office bear responsibility for the contents of the documents authenticated?

No. Consular authentication by the Chinese Office is merely the attestation to the veracity of the signature of an official and seal or stamp of the Palestinian Foreign Ministry attached to the document. Neither the consul nor the Office verifies as to the accuracy, truth, legality or otherwise the contents of the document. Nevertheless, an authentication application would be declined if the contents of a document contravene laws or regulations of the People's Republic of China.

3. Does the legalization have expire date?

Yes. A Single Status Certificate must have the legalization done by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Office within three (3) months after its issuance. The Single Status Certificate will have a validity of six (6) months after being authenticated by the Chinese Office. The documents related to marriage, health, tax-bill must be legalized by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Office within six (6) months after their issuance.

4. Can I apply for notarization from the Chinese Office for documents executed in China?

No. Chinese Office does not notarize or authenticate documents executed in China. Documents executed in China to be used in foreign countries must complete the following procedures:

1) Documents should be notarized by a Notary Public in China;

2) Documents should be authenticated by a provincial Office of Foreign Affairs Office or the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

3) Documents should be authenticated by an Embassy or Consulate General of the relevant country.

5. Can application for legalization of documents be mailed to Chinese Office?

No. The Office does not accept application by mail. Therefore, the applicant or his designated representative must come to the Office in person.