Legalization is a process of document authentication observed by some governments. Documents issued in Timor-Leste to be used in China should be legalized by the Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste before they are sent to China.

1. Application Procedures

1.1 Have the document issued by the Timor-Leste Government (Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, No Criminal Record, etc.) authenticated directly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, then legalized by the Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste.

1.2 Have the non-governmental document issued in Timor-Leste (Declaration, Power of Attorney, etc.) notarized by a local Notary Public and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, then legalized by the Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste.

1.3 Documents issued in a third country will not be accepted for legalization.

2. Notice

2.1 Documents issued in China (such as passports, ID cards, real estate certificates, company registration documents, etc.) will not be accepted for legalization.

2.2 The contents of document that do not conform to relevant Chinese policies or laws will not be accepted for legalization.

2.3 Notarized marital status, no-spouse declaration or certificate used to register marriage in mainland China will not be accepted for legalization if the validity period exceeds 6 months from the date of notarization or certificate issuance to the date of application for consular legalization.

2.4 Notarial certificates of marital status, health, property, income, and no criminal record used for adoption in mainland China will not be accepted for legalization if the validity period exceeds 6 months from the date of notarization issuance to the date of application for consular legalization.

2.5 Documents sent to third countries for use will not be accepted for legalization. Such documents should be legalized by the embassy in Timor-Leste of the country where the documents will be used.

2.6 In accordance with the international practice and the Chinese regulation, the Chinese Embassy legalizes only the officer's signature and the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste and will not responsible for the contents of the documents.

3. Requirements

The applicant for consular legalization of the document should be the party to thedocument. Chinese or foreign citizens or legal persons of enterprises or organizations who apply for consular legalization of documents to the embassy should submit the following materials:

3.1 Personal documents

3.1.1  Original and photocopy of the valid passport or identity card of the applicant (agent) of the document (if another person is acting on his/her behalf, the applicant's valid passport and identity card copy should be provided, and the agent should provide the photocopy of his/her own valid passport or identity card).

Application for legalization of the death certificate should be submitted by the next of kin of the deceased, who must provide his/her passport or identity card, the proof of kinship or a written statement of the next of kin of the deceased and the deceased's passport or identity card if available. If the next of kin of the deceased entrusts another person to act on his/her behalf, he/she must provide the power of attorney, and the original and photocopy of the agent's passport or identity card are required.

The applicant with no or limited capacity for civil conduct must be represented by a legal representative, who must provide his/her passport or identity card and a document that can prove that he/she has the power of attorney. The legal representative may entrust another person to act on his/her behalf, and the agent should submit the original and photocopy of his/her passport or identity card and contact information.

3.1.2 Application Form of Consular Legalization (the applicant's signature is required); the next of kin of the deceased fill in the information of the deceased in the Application Form of Consular Legalization (Legalization for Death Certificate), and the column "Signature of agent" Signed by the next of kin of the deceased or their appointed agent.

3.1.3 The original documents certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, and the photocopy of the certification (ie, the signature and seal page of the responsible person).

3.1.4 Other relevant materials that the Embassy may require to provide according to the needs of the individual case.

3.2 Commercial documents

3.2.1 Photocopy of the legal registration certificate of the enterprise or organization.

3.2.2 Original and photocopy of the valid passport or identity card of the person in charge indicated on the registration certificate of the enterprise or organization (if another person is acting on his/her behalf, a copy of the valid passport or identity card of the person in charge of the enterprise or organization is required, and the agent needs to provide the original and photocopy of his/her own valid passport or identity card; Chinese citizen and third-country citizen should submit a valid passport or travel document).

3.2.3 Application Form of Consular Legalization (can be downloaded from the website of  the Embassy, and the applicant's signature is required).

3.2.4 The original documents certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, and the photocopy of the certification issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste (ie, the signature and seal page of the responsible person).

3.2.5 Other relevant materials that the Embassy may require to provide according to the needs of the individual case.

4. Consultation Methods

Consultation Tel: 00670-3325169 (09:00-12:00, 14:30-18:30 in weekdays)

E-mail: dili@csm.mfa.gov.cn