Ⅰ. Introduction

The purpose of consular legalization is to ensure that a document issued in one country can be acknowledged by relevant authorities in another country, and the document can have its due legal effect, which shall not be affected by doubts on the authenticity of the seal or signature on it.

The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe can legalize notarial deeds or certificates issued by competent authorities in Zimbabwe for use in mainland China. The deeds or certificates should be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe before being submitted to the Chinese Embassy.

Ⅱ. Requirements

A document to be legalized should meet the following requirements:

1. The document should have been firstly authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe.

2. The document must be truthful, legal and bear no contents against the Chinese laws or harming China's national interests and social public interests.

3. A document with more than one page must be properly bound as a volume to avoid any substitution. Sealing wax, eyelet, paging seal or steel seal should be applied to ensure the integrity of the documents.

III. Materials Required for Application

1. Application Form of Consular Legalization of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China duly completed and signed by the applicant.

2. The original and a photocopy of the document which have been authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe.

3. The original passport/ID of the applicant, and a photocopy of the photo/information page of the said passport/ID.

The original and a photocopy of a valid Zimbabwean residence permit of the applicant, if the applicant is a non-Zimbabwean citizen.

4. If an applicant has authorized an agent to submit the application on his/her behalf, the original and a photocopy of the agent's passport/ID (and a local residence permit of the agent, if applicable) and a photocopy of the applicant's passport/ID shall be provided.

5. If the document is of a company/organization, relevant supporting documents shall be submitted as well, including:

A. The original and a photocopy of the passport/ID of the agent (the person who submits the application on behalf of the company/ organization);

B. Appointment letter signed by the legal representative of the company/organization;

C. Certificate of registration of the company/organization issued by competent authorities in Zimbabwe, which bears the name of the said legal representative; and

D. A photocopy of the photo/information page of the passport/ID of the legal representative of the company/organization.

IV. How to Apply

Please directly visit the Chinese Embassy to submit the application or entrust an agent to do it on your behalf. Application through postal service is unavailable.

V. Processing Time

Four (4) working days

VI. Collection and Payment

1. The document can be collected on the pick-up day by the applicant or agent presenting the Pick-up Form to the Chinese Embassy.

2. Application fees:

For the Chinese citizens: 8 USD for one set of civil document;16 USD for one set of commercial document

For the Zimbabwean and other applicants: 60 USD.

VII. Other Important Information

1. Consular officers at the Chinese Embassy shall review the document to be legalized. They shall not accept the document that is done in an incomplete procedure of notarization and authentication, found against Chinese laws and regulations, or forged and altered, and fails to meet the standards of documentation.

2. Consular officers may request the applicant to provide other supporting documents if necessary.

3. The documents which have been legalized by the Chinese Embassy shall not be forged or altered. In case of forgery and alteration, the consular legalization certificate shall become invalid, and the applicant or another individual or organization who has one of the said behaviors, he/she or it shall bear corresponding legal liabilities.