1. On March 8, 2023, China acceded to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (hereinafter referred to as the Convention). On November 7, 2023, the Convention will enter into force between China and Brunei Darussalam. The Convention will continue to apply to the Hong Kong SAR of China and the Macao SAR of China.
2. Starting from November 7, public documents within the scope of the Convention issued by Brunei only need to apply for a Brunei apostille before they can be sent to Chinese mainland for use. There is no need to apply for consular authentication by Brunei and the Chinese Embassy in Brunei.
Public documents within the scope of the Convention sent from China to Brunei for use will no longer require consular authentication by China and Brunei Embassy in China, but will instead require apostilles. For online Apostille verification, please log in to the website (https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VERIFY/). For specific procedures and requirements for applying for apostilles, please log on to the Chinese Consular Service website (http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/) or the websites of relevant local Foreign Affairs Offices.
3. Starting from November 7, the Chinese Embassy will cease consular authentication services. For documents issued by Brunei intended to be sent to Chinese mainland, please apply for apostilles from Brunei competent authorities (For contact information, please see attachment2).
4. According to the provisions of the Convention, an apostille issued by a country is used to prove the authenticity of the signature on the public document, the identity of the signatory of the document at the time of signing, and to confirm the authenticity of the seal on the document when necessary. The completion of Brunei apostille does not guarantee the acceptance of the public document by the relevant user in China. It is recommended to check in advance with the relevant party in China about specific requirements for format, content, time limit, translation, etc. before going through the relevant procedures.
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Brunei Darussalam
26 October 2023
Attachment 1：
List of foreign affairs offices of local people's governments
that can issue Apostille in China
Anhui Province, Chongqing City, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guizhou Province, Henan Province, Heilongjiang Province, Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Hainan Province, Jilin Province, Jiangsu Province, Jiangxi Province, Liaoning Province, Sichuan Province, Shandong Province, Shanghai City, Shaanxi Province, Yunnan Province, Zhejiang Province, Gansu Province, Hebei Province, Shanxi Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Changchun City, Harbin City, Ningbo City, Jinan City, Qingdao City, Shenzhen City
Attachment 2:
Apostille processing in Brunei Darussalam
competent authority：Supreme Court
address：High Court - Supreme Court Building,Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha,Bandar Seri Begawan, BA1910,Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Tel: (673) 2243939 to 46
Fax: (673) 2241984
Email: courts@judicial.gov.bn