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.