Illinois Apostille for China
China now accepts apostilles — no more consular legalization for most documents
In short: As of 7 November 2023, mainland China is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so most Illinois documents used in China now need only an apostille from the Illinois Secretary of State — not the older Chinese consular legalization. We apostille Illinois documents for use in China by mail, from the U.S. or from China.
What changed in 2023
Before November 2023, a document for use in mainland China had to go through slow Chinese consular legalization. Since 7 November 2023 that process is replaced by a single apostille for public documents — a major simplification most people still don't realize. (Hong Kong and Macau were already covered.)
Common documents & reasons
Degrees and transcripts for work permits and Z-visas, birth and marriage certificates for residence permits, and business documents for company setup.
How it works — a 100% remote process
- Tell us what you need. Call or text 847-436-5222 or request a quote. We confirm exactly which document you have and where it's going.
- Send us your document. Mail or courier it to our Naperville office.
- We submit to the Illinois Secretary of State. Standard by mail, or we hand-carry it to the Chicago counter for expedited processing.
- We return it, tracked. Back to you or straight to your recipient, domestic or international, with status you can follow the whole way.
A small number of documents or receiving institutions may still request extra steps during the transition — tell us your situation and we'll confirm the right path. Cost starts at $99–$129 per document; return shipping at cost or you provide a label.
Why Efficient Biometrics
We're a licensed and insured service with a real, staffed office in Naperville (682 Illinois Route 59) — not a P.O. box — a notary on site, document-level tracking so you always know where your originals are, and local proximity to the Chicago Secretary of State counter for genuine expedited service. Call or text 847-436-5222.
Passport & visa photos for China
A visa for China normally requires a photo to that country's own specification — 33 × 48 mm — which differs from the standard U.S. 2×2-inch passport photo. Efficient Biometrics takes compliant passport and visa photos to the correct size in the same visit as your Live Scan and apostille, so you don't have to make a second trip. Exact requirements vary by visa type and consulate, so we shoot to the precise spec your application needs. Book passport & visa photos or call 847-436-5222.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does China still require consular legalization?
No — not for public documents since 7 November 2023. An apostille is used instead.
Is Hong Kong or Macau different?
They were already covered by the Convention before mainland China joined.
Can you apostille my diploma for a China work visa?
Yes — we coordinate the required notarization and apostille it.
What size passport or visa photo does China require?
China's visa photo requirement is 33 × 48 mm, which differs from the U.S. 2×2-inch size. We take compliant passport and visa photos to the exact spec in the same visit — book them at efficientbiometrics.com/book. Requirements can vary by visa type and consulate.