What Is China Attestation?
When Do You Need China Attestation?
- Establishing a foreign enterprise, branch, or representative office in Mainland China
- Business registration, amendment, and annual filing with Mainland authorities
- Participating in Mainland public bidding and government procurement
- Cross-border investment, equity transfer, and corporate restructuring
- Mainland court litigation and arbitration proceedings
- Trademark registration and intellectual property matters
- Purchasing, mortgaging, or transferring property in Mainland China
- Marriage declarations (e.g., marrying a Mainland resident)
- Inheriting or renouncing inheritance of Mainland estates
- Sponsoring Mainland relatives for Hong Kong visit or residency applications
- School enrollment and household registration for children in Mainland China
- Authorizing Mainland relatives or representatives to handle personal affairs
How about Our China Attestation Service Scope？
Corporate Document Attestation
- Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate
- Articles of Association and Memorandum
- Board of Directors' resolutions and shareholders' resolutions
- Register of Directors and Shareholders
- Powers of Attorney and authorized representative appointments
- Company financial statements and audit reports
- Hong Kong Service Supplier Certificate (CEPA)
- Certificate of Corporate Information/Status
- Commercial contracts and agreements
Personal Document Attestation
- Marriage status declarations (e.g., application to marry a Mainland resident, spousal relationship certification)
- Declaration of inheritance or renunciation of inheritance
- Kinship certificates and declarations
- Personal powers of attorney (authorizing others to handle Mainland affairs)
- Declaration of adoption of children
- Declaration of same person
- Declaration of no marriage record
- Academic and professional qualification certificates
What is the China Attestation Process？
Step 1: Consultation and Document Pre-Screening
Step 2: Appointment with China-Appointed Attesting Officer
Step 3: Attested Document Preparation
Step 4: Transmission and Stamping
Step 5: Delivery to Client
Contact CityLinkers for more information on China Attestation Services
China attestation (also known as "China-Appointed Attesting Officer attestation") is a statutory process under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework whereby Hong Kong documents are attested by a China-Appointed Attesting Officer — a Hong Kong solicitor appointed by the PRC Ministry of Justice — and then transmitted through China Legal Service (Hong Kong) Ltd. for legal use across Mainland China. This specialized attestation system was established in 1981 and has operated for over 40 years.
In everyday usage, "China attestation" and "China notarization" are often used interchangeably, but there is an important legal distinction. In Hong Kong, a **Notary Public** handles international notarization for documents intended for use *outside* Mainland China (e.g., for use in foreign embassies, overseas courts, or international legal matters). A **China-Appointed Attesting Officer (CAAO)**, on the other hand, specifically handles document attestation for use *within* Mainland China. The official English title is "Attesting Officer," and the formal process is "attestation," not "notarization."
A China-Appointed Attesting Officer (CAAO) is a Hong Kong solicitor appointed by the PRC Ministry of Justice to attest Hong Kong documents for use in Mainland China. To qualify, a solicitor must hold Hong Kong legal qualifications with at least 10 years of practice experience, maintain a clean disciplinary record with the Law Society of Hong Kong, and pass rigorous written and oral examinations administered by the Ministry of Justice. There are approximately 400+ registered CAAOs in Hong Kong, and the list can be verified on the Ministry of Justice website.
Because Mainland China and Hong Kong operate under different legal jurisdictions with distinct legal systems and evidentiary rules, Mainland authorities cannot directly verify the authenticity of Hong Kong documents. The China-Appointed Attesting Officer system provides a statutory "attestation and transmission" mechanism that gives Hong Kong documents legal recognition in the Mainland. Without this process, Hong Kong documents carry no legal validity in Mainland China.
Deep Cross-Border Expertise： CityLinkers Group maintain offices in Hong Kong and several Mainland cities, Singapore, Vietnam, and Australia. Our years of cross-border service experience give us deep insight into the legal differences between Hong Kong and Mainland China, enabling us to provide precise and efficient attestation solutions. -One-Stop Service, Time-Saving and Hassle-Free： We provide end-to-end service — from document pre-screening and attesting officer appointments to document drafting and transmission stamping. Clients do not need to coordinate with multiple parties independently. Our professional team confirms document requirements, prepares materials, and tracks progress to ensure successful attestation on the first attempt, avoiding rejections due to incomplete materials or format non-compliance. -Guaranteed Compliance Pathway： CityLinkers conducts initial document review before submitting to a China-Appointed Attesting Officer appointed by the PRC Ministry of Justice. The attested document is then transmitted through China Legal Service (Hong Kong) Ltd., ensuring recognition across all of Mainland China. Every attested document complies with Mainland legal requirements, safeguarding clients' legitimate rights and interests. -Cross-Border Business Synergy： As a comprehensive business services group, our practice spans audit and assurance, company secretarial, offshore company formation, tax services, and advisory. While handling your China attestation needs, we can simultaneously provide one-stop cross-border business support, including company establishment, tax planning, and compliance consulting.
