Legalization, also called consular
legalization, refers to a consular practice ensuring authenticity of the very
last signature, or the seal affixed to a document related to the application
from a natural person, legal person or other organization. Chinese embassies
and consulates in foreign countries can make consular certification for
notarized documents or other verified materials issued by the relevant authorities
of the host country,and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
host country or agencies with consular certification authority, for the use of intended
purposes in China.
The purpose of consular legalization is
to ensure that notarial deeds issued in one country have due legal effect and
can be acknowledged by the relevant authorities in another country with no
question as to their authenticity. Consular certification can not perform
certifying function for any item in the notarization or other certificates, and
has no responsibility for the authenticity and legality of the document,for
which the issuing agency should be responsible.