What is a Three-Level Authentication Phone Number 518-956-5673

CHV handles consular authentication for documents across all 50 states in the U.S.

Required materials for consular authentication (three-level authentication):

1. Original document requiring authentication (notarization). (Commonly used power of attorney and declaration templates can be provided);
2. One fully completed application form for consular authentication from the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad. (The "Consular Authentication Application Form" can be provided);
3. Valid identification of the applicant (passport, U.S. driver's license, etc.);
4. For company document consular authentication (three-level authentication), valid identification of the company's legal representative and documents proving their identity must also be submitted.

Note: Some documents (such as U.S. birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) can be processed by mail; for others (such as powers of attorney and declarations), whether they can be processed by mail depends on the specific circumstances.

Consular Authentication (Three-Level Authentication/Notarization):

Many Chinese in the United States are unable to personally handle affairs in China and must rely on a "Power of Attorney" to authorize others or make declarations on certain matters through a "Declaration." Documents such as "Power of Attorney" and "Declaration" must undergo consular authentication (also known as three-level notarization/authentication) to be accepted by relevant Chinese authorities for use in China.

Additionally, documents issued by U.S. institutions, such as birth certificates and company registrations, must also undergo consular authentication (three-level authentication) to be used in China.

Common Materials for Consular Authentication (Three-Level Authentication/Notarization):

Various powers of attorney (e.g., for property transactions such as real estate and stocks, household registration matters, legal affairs); various declarations (e.g., renunciation of inheritance rights, passport renewal, possession of multiple identification documents); various documents issued by U.S. institutions (e.g., U.S. birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, death certificates, court judgments, passports, green cards, degree certificates, no criminal record certificates, employment certificates, etc.).

In essence, consular authentication and three-level authentication are the same thing.

The three-level authentication process is as follows:

• First, the document is notarized by a local notary public (commonly known as a "notary public"), or a "certified copy" is issued by the competent authority.
• Then, authentication by the Secretary of State (the second level of authentication) is conducted, which essentially verifies that the local notary public or clerk is registered, qualified, and genuine with the state government.
• Finally, consular authentication (the third level of authentication) is performed, which verifies the authenticity of the state government's seal and the Secretary of State's signature.

After completing the above three levels of notarization/authentication, consular authentication is finalized. Therefore, consular authentication is essentially three-level authentication.

According to international practice and Chinese consular practice, the purpose of consular authentication (three-level authentication/notarization) is to ensure that documents such as notarized certificates issued in one country are recognized and legally effective in another country, preventing any doubt about the authenticity of the seals and signatures on the documents from affecting their legal validity.

The Chinese embassy and consulates in the United States can perform the third level of authentication, i.e., "consular authentication," for notarized certificates or other proof documents issued by relevant U.S. institutions and authenticated by the U.S. Department of State or the Secretary of State of each state, intended for use in China.

However, please note that whether the relevant documents will be accepted by Chinese authorities also depends on whether the content of the documents meets the requirements of the relevant departments or other conditions.

Documents intended for use in Hong Kong or Macau, China, do not require consular authentication. Such documents can be used after being notarized by a local notary public in the United States and authenticated by the relevant Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office.