Legalization means the authentication of a signature or seal / stamp appearing on a document to make  the document acceptable in the legalising country.

1.  To have a document which originates in the United Kingdom accepted in the People's Republic of China, you need to go to the Legalization Office of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Old Admiralty Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2LG, Tel: 020 70081111, Fax: 020 70081010, the opening hours will remain 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) to legalize the signature or seal of a British public official-such as solicitor, notary public, registrar, official of Chambers of Commerce. Then send it to this office to legalize the signature of official of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

2.  Usually, the following documents are essential:
    a. Legalization Application Form;
    b. The original document to legalize and its  photocopy;
    c. Copy of applicant's passport or company's details;
    d. Any other documents if this consulate thinks necessary.

3.  According to the Sino-British Agreement, Hague Convention is still effective in Hong Kong after July 1, 1997. If the document has already been legalized by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, it can be used in HK without legalization of the Chinese Embassy.

4.  Please be advised that the legalization only confirms that the signature of the authorized officers and the seal of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office attached to your document are genuine. It does not mean that the contents of the document are correct or this office approves of the contents.

5.  Preferably your document may be issued in both Chinese and English. 

6. The legalization fee is 23 pounds for each commercial document or document relating to estate or property; 12 pounds for each document of the other types. Please pay in cash or postal order. 

7.  The Legalization will be done in ten work days.

8.  Legalization Office in Chinese Embassy : 31 Portland Place, London W1B 1QD
Office Hours: 9:00am--12:00noon, Monday--Friday. (Except British and Chinese holidays)
The office is not open to the public in the afternoon
Telephone inquiry :020-76311430 ( 2:00pm -- 4:00pm, Monday-- Friday )
Fax:020-74369178 Web Site : www.chinese-embassy.org.uk

Legalization Office of the Consulate-General in Manchester:
Denison House, Denison Road, Rusholme, Manchester M14 5RX
Office Hours: 9:00am--12:00noon, Monday--Friday. (Except British and Chinese holidays)
The office is not open to the public in the afternoon
Telephone inquiry : 0161- 224 7443 (2:00pm -- 4:00pm, Monday-- Friday ) Fax: 0161-257 2672

Legalization Office Of the Consulate-General in Edinburgh:
55 Corstorphine Road. Edinburgh EH12 5QG
Office Hours: 9:00am--12:00noon, Monday--Friday. (Except British and Chinese holidays)
The office is not open to the public in the afternoon
Telephone inquiry :0131- 3373220 ( 2:00pm -- 4:00pm, Monday-- Friday ) Fax: 0131-337 1790