What materials are needed for authentication at the Los Angeles Consulate? How to fill out the application form? 518-956-5673

What Documents Are Required for Birth Certificate Authentication?

• Consulate Application Form (must be filled out on a computer, with only the signature handwritten. Do not fill out the entire form by hand! Electronic signatures are not accepted);
• Passport Copies:
  1) For the birth certificate: Copies of both the father's and mother's passports;
  2) If only one parent is listed on the birth certificate, provide a copy of that parent's passport only;
  3) Common Mistake: The passport copy must be the full page containing the photo, from top to bottom—not half a page, but the complete page, not just half!
• Original document to be authenticated;
• A copy of the Secretary of State's cover page for each original document to be authenticated (because each document has a different Secretary of State file number);
• Additional materials: Entry stamp page from the passport, Chinese visa page from the passport, etc.

How to Fill Out the Consulate Application Form for Birth Certificate Authentication?

• The applicant should fill in the child's information, using the English name as it appears on the birth certificate. Leave any fields blank if information is unavailable, such as occupation. Do not use the name from a passport or travel document.
• Enter the information of one of the child's parents or the agent on the second page under "Agent." If there is no agent, fill in the details of one of the child's parents.
• On the second page of the application form, there are two places for the applicant's signature. The child's parents should sign their own names here, not the child's name.
• Whoever's information is entered as the agent should sign in the agent section.

Important Reminders:

• On the first page of the form, Section 3 (Certification Matter) and Section 4 (Purpose and Destination) must be selected and filled out.
• On the second page of the form, Section 5 (Materials and Quantity) and Section 6 (Processing Time) must be selected and filled out.
  Common Mistake: "Quantity" refers to the total number of documents you are having authenticated, not the total number of supporting materials you are providing!

---

What Documents Are Required for Marriage Certificate Authentication?

• Consulate Application Form (must be filled out on a computer, with only the signature handwritten. Do not fill out the entire form by hand! Electronic signatures are not accepted);
• Passport Copies:
  1) Copies of both spouses' passports;
  2) Common Mistake: The passport copy must be the full page containing the photo, from top to bottom—not half a page, but the complete page, not just half!
• Original document to be authenticated;
• A copy of the Secretary of State's cover page for each original document to be authenticated (because each document has a different Secretary of State file number);

How to Fill Out the Consulate Application Form for Marriage Certificate Authentication?

• One of the spouses should fill out the application form;
• On the second page of the application form, there are two places for the applicant's signature. The person whose information is provided as the applicant should sign here!
• Whoever's information is entered as the agent should sign in the agent section. If there is no agent, leave it blank.

Important Reminders:

• On the first page of the form, Item 3 (Matter to be Certified) and Item 4 (Purpose and Place) must be selected and filled out.
• On the second page of the form, Item 5 (Materials and Number of Copies) and Item 6 (Processing Time) must be selected and filled out.
  Common mistake: "Number of Copies" refers to the total number of documents you are having processed, not the total number of supporting materials you are providing!

---

What materials are needed for a Death Certificate?

• Consulate Application Form (must be filled out on a computer, only the signature can be handwritten; the entire form cannot be handwritten! Electronic signatures are not accepted);
• Passport copies:
  1) Passport copy of the applicant;
  2) Passport copy of the deceased;
  3) Common mistake: The passport copy must be the full page containing the photo, not half a page. It must be complete, not half!
• Original document to be certified;
• A copy of the Secretary of State's cover page for each original document to be certified (because the filing number with the Secretary of State is different for each document);

How to fill out the Consulate Application Form for Death Certificate certification?

• On the first page of the form, the applicant should fill in the deceased's information as it appears on the death certificate. Leave any missing information blank;
• On the second page of the form, the agent should fill in the complete information of the family member or agent;
• All three signature fields on the second page (applicant/agent) should be signed by the agent, for a total of three signatures!

Reminder:

• On the first page of the form, Item 3 (Matter to be Certified) and Item 4 (Purpose and Place) must be selected and filled out.
• On the second page of the form, Item 5 (Materials and Number of Copies) and Item 6 (Processing Time) must be selected and filled out.
  Common mistake: "Number of Copies" refers to the total number of documents you are having processed, not the total number of supporting materials you are providing!

---

What materials are needed for Company Certification?

• Consulate Application Form (must be filled out on a computer, only the signature can be handwritten; the entire form cannot be handwritten! Electronic signatures are not accepted);
• Passport copies:
  1) Passport copy of the applicant;
  2) Passport copy of the corporate legal representative;
  3) If the applicant and the corporate legal representative are the same person, only one passport copy is required;
  3) Common mistake: The passport copy must be the full page containing the photo, not half a page. It must be complete, not half!
• Original document to be certified;
• A copy of the Secretary of State's cover page for each original document to be certified (because the filing number with the Secretary of State is different for each document);

How to fill out the Consulate Application Form for Company Certification?

• Only fill out the "Application by Enterprises and Other Organizations" section. Leave the "Application by Individuals" section blank.

Reminder:

• On the first page of the form, Item 3 (Matter to be Certified) and Item 4 (Purpose and Place) must be selected and filled out.
• On the second page of the form, Item 5 (Materials and Number of Copies) and Item 6 (Processing Time) must be selected and filled out.
  Common mistake: "Number of Copies" refers to the total number of documents you are having processed, not the total number of supporting materials you are providing!

---

Regarding the certification fees charged by embassies and consulates: The fee standards for Chinese passports and U.S. passports are different, and the fees for personal documents and company documents also vary. For specific fees, please refer to the official website of the corresponding embassy. Currently, during the pandemic phase, consulates also charge an additional mailing service fee. For details, please consult your local consulate. We hope this information is helpful. If there are any inaccuracies, please point them out so we can make corrections. Thank you.