In line with international practice and experience of consular authentication in China, documents issued by Chinese agencies to be used in a foreign country, in general, shall first be authenticated by the Department of Consular Affairs under Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the "Department of Consular Affairs"), and then be authenticated by the embassy or consulate in China of the country in which the document is to be used. The Department of Consular Affairs and its authorized agencies handle such authentication affairs. The Department of Consular Affairs also authenticates documents issued to foreign enterprises and citizens by Chinese agencies, and submits on their behalf these documents to embassies of their countries in China for authentication. Foreign affairs offices of local people's governments authorized by the Department of Consular Affairs can apply to foreign consulates in China for authenticating such documents.

Such documents include papers certifying birth, marriage, no criminal record, kinship, academic qualification, and professional qualification, as well as declaration, entrustment paper, power of attorney, contract, articles of association, certification of inspection and quarantine of animals or plants, certificate of origin, invoice, and other notarial certificates, certifications or notes for civil or business purposes. These documents generally are issued by Chinese notary public offices, entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureaus, and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.