U.S. Birth Certificate Notarization and Authentication, Consular Three-Level Authentication (Includes Translation) 518-956-5673 Remote Authentication Supported

Why is U.S. Birth Certificate Authentication Necessary? (U.S. Birth Certificate Notarization and Authentication)

When a child born in the U.S. returns to China to handle the following procedures, it is necessary to provide the original U.S. Birth Certificate (also known as the birth paper, with the English name Birth Certificate) issued by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in the U.S. This authentication verifies the authenticity of the birth certificate issued by the U.S. government, ensuring it is recognized by domestic authorities in China.

1. For children born in the U.S. who return to China with a Travel Document, to register residence, enroll in school, or apply for a One-Time Exit-Entry Permit;
2. For children born in the U.S. who return to China with a U.S. passport and Chinese visa, to apply for visa extension, foster care, or long-term residency in China.

Note: Many people confuse U.S. birth certificate notarization with authentication. Notarization refers to the applicant personally signing an oath before a consulate or notary public, while authentication is the recognition of the signatures and seals on the U.S. birth certificate, which does not require the applicant's physical presence. U.S. birth certificates can only be processed through authentication; the consulate cannot directly notarize a U.S. birth certificate.

Required Documents for U.S. Birth Certificate Authentication

1. Completed "Notarization and Authentication Application Form"
2. Original or copy of the child's birth certificate
3. Copy of the child's valid passport information page
4. Copies of the valid passport information pages of the child's parents

Steps for Consular Authentication Using a Birth Certificate Copy

If providing the original birth certificate is inconvenient, we can handle the authentication of a translated copy of the U.S. birth certificate.

1. Notarization of the U.S. birth certificate by a U.S. notary public
2. Authentication of the U.S. birth certificate by the Secretary of State
3. Consular authentication of the U.S. birth certificate by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the U.S.

Los Angeles Birth Certificate Authentication (Sample Translation) (Recommended for Birth Certificate Translation, Notarization, and Authentication)

 

Steps for Consular Authentication Using the Original Birth Certificate

1. Authentication of the original birth certificate by the local County Clerk (can be handled by an agency)

If the child's place of birth is in New York, California, or Hawaii, the birth certificate must be authenticated by the County Clerk in the county of birth. For births in states other than these three, County Clerk authentication is not required, and the process can proceed directly to the Secretary of State authentication.

Not all birth certificates are the correct version that can be used for authentication. For example, both the California Department of Health and the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk have the authority to issue birth certificates. However, birth certificates issued by the California Department of Health cannot be directly submitted to the Secretary of State for authentication. They must first be authenticated by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk before proceeding to the Secretary of State.

2. Authenticate the U.S. birth certificate at the Secretary of State of the issuing state (can be handled by proxy).

The steps and types of authentication for birth certificates used in Mainland China differ from those used in Hong Kong, China. For birth certificates used in Mainland China, the Secretary of State authentication type is Authentication. After the Secretary of State authentication, certification from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. is also required. For birth certificates used in Hong Kong, the Secretary of State authentication type is Apostille. Once the Secretary of State authentication is completed, the document can be used in Hong Kong without further certification from the Embassy or Consulate.

The processing times for Secretaries of State vary by state, typically taking 2-3 weeks. Some states offer expedited services, while others do not. (For specific processing times corresponding to different states, please contact customer service for details.)

3. Authenticate the U.S. birth certificate at the U.S. Department of State (can be handled by proxy).

Currently, the processing time for authentication at the Department of State is lengthy, typically 3-4 months, which significantly increases the difficulty of the application. You can entrust us to handle this step of the authentication process on your behalf.

Depending on the state that issued the birth certificate, applicants need to have the birth certificate authenticated at the corresponding Chinese Embassy or one of the five Consulates in the U.S. Birth certificates issued by states under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., also require authentication by the U.S. Department of State before proceeding to the Embassy authentication step. (Not all authentications require the Department of State step. For specific steps corresponding to different types of document authentication, please contact customer service for details.)

4. Authenticate the U.S. birth certificate at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. (can be handled by proxy).

Submit the birth certificate authenticated by the Secretary of State or the Department of State to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. to complete the final step of the birth certificate authentication process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My child was born in the U.S. I applied for a Chinese Travel Document for the child at the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. and also applied for a U.S. passport at the post office. What documents should the child use to return to China?

A: Use the U.S. passport when exiting the United States and the Chinese Travel Document when entering China. The Chinese Travel Document is a travel permit designed by the Chinese government for children born abroad who are recognized as Chinese nationals. Not all children born abroad can obtain a Travel Document. The Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. will determine whether the child is a Chinese or U.S. national based on the parents' status at the time of the child's birth.

Q: My child is 1.5 years old and currently resides in China. How can a child holding a U.S. passport and a Chinese Travel Document travel abroad? How can they enter China?

A: The Travel Document is valid for two years. In this case, the child's Travel Document should not have expired yet. Use the Travel Document when exiting China, and similarly, use it when re-entering China upon return.

If the child is over two years old and the Travel Document has expired, you need to apply for a One-Time Exit-Entry Permit at the local Public Security Bureau. Use the One-Time Exit-Entry Permit when exiting and entering China.

Q: How can a child born in the U.S. register for a household registration (hukou) in China?

A: Chinese embassies and consulates abroad determine whether a child is a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen based on whether both parents had obtained foreign residency or become foreign citizens at the time of the child's birth.

If, at the time of the child's birth, neither parent had obtained a U.S. green card, third-country residency, or become a foreign citizen, the child is considered a Chinese citizen. The Chinese embassy or consulate will issue a Travel Document for the child. If, at the time of the child's birth, one of the parents had obtained foreign residency or become a foreign citizen, the child is considered a foreign citizen. The Chinese embassy or consulate will issue a Chinese visa for the child.

To register for a hukou, you only need to present the authenticated U.S. birth certificate of the child at the local police station. The authenticated U.S. birth certificate refers to the U.S. birth certificate that has undergone three levels of authentication (Secretary of State authentication - Department of State authentication - Chinese Embassy/Consulate authentication in the U.S.). Some city police stations may also require a translated version of the U.S. birth certificate. Please inquire with the police station if there is a designated translation agency. If not, you can have it translated and notarized at a notary office.