The Chinese government entrusts the Chinese Adoption Centre to undertake the work of service for overseas adoption. Given that the Department for Education of British government is the entrusted department by the British government for overseas adoption service, all documents regarding adoption must be submitted to this Department for legalization. Applications made by individual persons or solicitors are not acceptable.

The documents needed for submission:

1. The official letter issued by the Department for Education of British government;

2. An Application Form of Notarization/Legalization completed by the Department for Education;  

3. The original copy, and a photocopy, of the relevant adoption documents verified by Department for Education and then legalized by FCO.

Please note that notary certificates, to be used in China, regarding a person's marital status, health, property, income and non-criminal record, for the purpose of adoption in China, need to be obtained at FCO, the Chinese embassy or consulate within six months from the date of legalization to the date of adoption (excluding the time used for the processing by the Chinese Adoption Centre) after notarisation.

Certificate processing schedules

Standard service: collectable after the fourth working day;

Express service: collectable after the second working day and an express fee will be charged.