Meaning
Public legal instruments verify the authenticity of signatures, seals, and original documents for use in administrative or judicial proceedings. A notarial certificate provides prima facie evidence of the facts stated within it. This document is a requirement for many foreign invested enterprises when filing corporate changes in China.
Authentication Power
The notary confirms the identity of the parties and their capacity to sign the underlying agreement. By attaching a notarial certificate, the authority ensures that the document was executed voluntarily. Fraudulent filings are deterred by this formal verification step.
Jurisdictional Validity
Documents intended for international use often require further legalization or an apostille. A notarial certificate must follow the specific format prescribed by the Ministry of Justice to be accepted by other government bureaus. Translation into Chinese is mandatory if the original was drafted in another language.
Issuance Procedure
Applicants must present original identification and evidence of their authority to represent a company. Once the notary reviews the evidence, the notarial certificate is bound to the original document with a silk ribbon or security seal. The process concludes with the entry of the act into the official notary register.
Fees for these services are generally set by provincial pricing bureaus based on the complexity of the legal act. A properly issued certificate remains valid indefinitely unless it is revoked by a court or the issuing office.