Authentication of U.S. Overseas Chinese Certificate / Permanent Residence Certificate, Consular Three-Level Authentication (Expedited Service Available) 518-956-5673

Authentication of a foreign passport, "Green Card," or other valid foreign residency documents is generally used to verify an applicant's Overseas Chinese status or handle related matters within China. This primarily applies to processes such as confirming Overseas Chinese status in China, transferring personal assets abroad, assisting relatives or friends with employment or education, and applying for family members to settle overseas. Given the diverse circumstances, we provide the best solutions and reliable strategies to effectively address your needs.

Relevant Government Regulations

1) The Chinese Overseas Chinese Affairs authorities have relaxed the definition of "settlement" ("Overseas Chinese") in the "Interpretation of 'Settlement' in the Definition of Overseas Chinese (Trial)": Settlement refers to Chinese citizens who have obtained long-term or permanent residency rights in their country of residence. Even without long-term or permanent residency, Chinese citizens who have held legal residency status for five consecutive years and reside abroad are considered settled. Chinese students (including government-sponsored and self-funded) studying abroad and public servants (including labor personnel) working abroad are not considered settled.

2) According to the new regulations, residing abroad for five consecutive years in a non-student capacity qualifies one as an Overseas Chinese.

Methods for Authenticating Overseas Chinese Status

1) Green Card Holders: Notarization and authentication of a "certified copy" of the Green Card.

2) Non-Green Card Holders: Notarization and authentication of an affidavit declaring U.S. residency, including details such as arrival date, immigration status, residence address, and any status changes (e.g., obtaining a Green Card or switching to H1B).

3) U.S. Passport Authentication.

Regardless of the method, consulates no longer directly certify an applicant's "Overseas Chinese status" nor provide additional documentation to confirm or acknowledge residency facts. Domestic Overseas Chinese Affairs departments will determine Overseas Chinese status based on the residency documents (residency notarization or authentication) provided by the applicant.

Required Documents for Notarization and Authentication of Overseas Chinese Status in the U.S.

1) Completed "Notarization and Authentication Application Form"

2) Copy of the applicant's passport and foreign permanent residency card

3) Supporting documents: Copy of the residency declaration affidavit

Reminder: Original document authenticated by the Secretary of State. (Typically, a certification page is attached and bound to the applicant's documents. The bound document must not be separated, as doing so invalidates it immediately. If we handle the Secretary of State authentication for you, please disregard this note.)

Process for Notarization and Authentication of Overseas Chinese Status in the U.S.

The following steps outline the three-level authentication process. Adjustments can be made based on individual circumstances.

1. County Clerk Authentication (Agency service available)

2. Secretary of State Authentication for Overseas Chinese Status (Agency service available)

Secretary of State authentication is divided into two types: Certificate and Apostille. For documents intended for use in China, we need to process the Certificate type. If the authentication type is Apostille, the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the United States will not accept such authentication. The processing time for authentication varies among different Secretary of State offices. State government processing typically takes 2–3 weeks, with some states offering expedited services and others not. (For specific processing times corresponding to different states, please contact customer service for details.)

3. Documents within the jurisdiction of the Washington D.C. Embassy require U.S. Department of State authentication (can be代办).

Currently, the processing time for Department of State authentication is lengthy, usually 3–4 months, which significantly increases the difficulty of the application. You can entrust us to代办 this step of authentication.

Depending on the state where the Overseas Chinese Certificate is issued, applicants need to submit the birth certificate to the corresponding Chinese Embassy or one of the five major Consulates in the United States for authentication. Birth certificates issued in 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.

4. Authentication by the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the United States (can be代办).

Submit the Secretary of State-authenticated Overseas Chinese Certificate or the Department of State-authenticated Overseas Chinese Certificate to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the United States to complete the final step of Overseas Chinese Certificate authentication.

How to Draft an Overseas Chinese Certificate (Sample of U.S. Residence Proof)

Below is a sample of U.S. Residence Proof (for reference only). It is generally drafted by you personally. Please verify with the relevant domestic authorities whether the sample is acceptable.