Birth notarization — born in wedlock (出生公证)

What this notarization certifies

The notary office certifies the fact that you were born in China to married parents — your date and place of birth and your parentage. Foreign immigration and civil-registry authorities usually accept this notarial birth certificate where they would ask for a "birth certificate", since China's medical birth record alone is often not accepted abroad.

Who can apply in Shanghai

Applicants whose registered or habitual residence is in Shanghai, or who were born in Shanghai.

Documents to prepare

• Notarization application form (filled in and signed at the notary office)
• Resident ID card or another valid ID — Chinese or foreign passport, or a Taiwan / Hong Kong / Macao travel permit and ID
• Household register (hukou booklet), or a household registration certificate issued by the police
• Proof of living in Shanghai, if your hukou is registered elsewhere — Shanghai residence permit, a property deed or lease in your or a close relative's name, or an employer letter
• Your parents' IDs and household registers
• Proof of your parents' marital status — marriage certificate; if divorced, the divorce papers; if a parent has died, the death and hukou-cancellation certificate
• Medical birth certificate; if none was issued at birth, a police birth-registration record or a personnel-file record showing your parentage (an only-child certificate also helps)
• Recent 2-inch (passport-style) bareheaded photos — one more than the number of certificates you need
• Guardian's ID and proof of guardianship, if the applicant is a minor or lacks full legal capacity
• Agent's ID and a letter of authorization, if someone applies on your behalf

Requirements vary case by case — the coordinator confirms your personal checklist before you visit the notary office.

Fee and timeline

• Notary fee: ¥80 (about $12) per certificate
• Extra certificate copies: ¥10 (about $1.50) each
• Acceptance review: up to 3 working days; the certificate is normally issued within 15 working days of acceptance

Fees follow Shanghai's published government price standard (2017/2018). The coordinator confirms the current fee and the certified-translation cost before you commit to anything.

Using it abroad

China joined the Hague Apostille Convention in November 2023. For use in a member country — the US, Japan, most of Europe and many others — the notarial certificate receives an apostille and needs no embassy legalization. For non-member countries, consular legalization still applies. Tell the coordinator the destination country and we arrange the correct chain, including a certified translation into the language the receiving authority requires.