What is Hague certification?

Hague certification is annotation certification, which is Hague Convention certification. Hague authentication refers to an authentication method developed by Hague member countries for mutual recognition of documents. Usually issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the National Supreme Court. Specifically, the signature of the document issuer is certified by the government agency designated by the state to verify whether the signature is true and valid. If the signature is authentic and valid, attach a page of Hague certification to the document and affix the seal of the institution to the signature, so that the document can have legal effect in the destination country. It should be noted that the Hague certification is not the certification of the contents of the certification documents, but only the certification of the first issuer of the certification, which proves that its signature is true and effective.

In the process of overseas investment in registered companies, registered trademarks or trade transactions, China companies often need to apply for Hague certification for company registration certificates, bank credit certificates, lists of directors and shareholders, invoices, certificates of origin and other documents. They can send such business documents to Hong Kong for Hague certification, that is, the company documents are notarized by Hong Kong international lawyers and certified by Hong Kong High Court, so that the legal effect of cross-border documents will not be affected and they can be legally used in other countries.

China citizens who want to study, work or emigrate to other countries often need to apply for Hague certification of certificates such as no criminal record, birth certificate, degree certificate/diploma, marriage certificate, etc. That is, documents need to be notarized by Hong Kong international lawyers and certified by the Hong Kong High Court before they can be accepted by other governments and used legally in that country.