Chinese Documents Translation UK Visa: 2026 Complete Guide
China joined the Hague Apostille Convention in November 2023. That changed how Chinese documents reach UKVI. But the documents themselves — hukou, notarial certificates (公证书), CHSI degree verification — are still unlike anything in the UK. This guide covers the process since 2023 and what each document needs, one by one.
Core Chinese Civil Documents
China does not issue separate birth or marriage certificates the way Western countries do. Instead, these facts sit in the hukou (household register). For use abroad, a notary copies them out as notarial certificates (公证书).
| Document | Chinese Name | UK Visa Use |
|---|---|---|
| Household Register | 户口簿 (Hukou) | Family composition evidence |
| Birth Notarial Certificate | 出生公证书 | Dependant, Spouse visas |
| Marriage Certificate | 结婚证 + 结婚公证书 | Spouse visa |
| Divorce Certificate | 离婚证 / 离婚公证书 | Prior marriage termination |
| Single Status Certificate | 未婚证明 | UK marriage (COI equivalent) |
| No Criminal Record | 无犯罪记录证明 | Settlement / ILR |
| Resident ID Card | 居民身份证 | Identity reference (supplementary) |
Post-2023: Apostille Replaces Legalisation
Before 7 November 2023, Chinese documents needed notarisation → MFA attestation → UK Embassy legalisation. Now that China has joined the Hague Convention, one apostille replaces that whole chain. It comes from the Chinese MFA, or from an approved provincial Foreign Affairs Office. The apostille is attached to the notarial certificate, and you must translate both together.
Simplified vs Traditional Chinese
Mainland China uses Simplified Chinese (简体字). Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao use Traditional Chinese (繁體字). The translator has to spot which one your document uses, because names, places and terms differ. For legalisation, UKVI treats Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan documents separately from mainland PRC ones.
| Region | Script | Legalisation |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland PRC | Simplified | Apostille (since 2023) |
| Hong Kong SAR | Traditional | Apostille (pre-existing) |
| Macao SAR | Traditional | Apostille (pre-existing) |
| Taiwan (ROC) | Traditional | Authentication by TECO London |
Pinyin Romanisation & Passport Matching
Modern mainland PRC passports write Chinese names in Pinyin. Your translation must match the passport exactly: surname first, and for most single characters no space between the given names. Hong Kong passports spell names from Cantonese instead (for example Wong rather than Huang). Taiwan uses older systems such as Wade-Giles or Tongyong. Always copy the passport, not the "correct" spelling.
Academic Documents: CHSI and CDGDC
To have a degree recognised, UKVI and Ecctis accept:
- CHSI (学信网) — China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center verification report — issued in Chinese/English
- CDGDC — China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center — degree authentication
- 学位证书 (Degree Certificate) — original issued by university
- 毕业证书 (Graduation Certificate) — separate from degree certificate in China
- 成绩单 (Transcript) — usually in Chinese, so it needs a full translation
Common Pitfall: Two Separate Certificates
Chinese universities issue both a degree certificate (学位证) and a graduation certificate (毕业证). They are two separate documents, and UKVI expects both. Sending only one is a common cause of Ecctis delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need UK Embassy legalisation?
Not for mainland PRC documents issued after November 2023. The apostille replaces it. If an older document was already legalised by the embassy, that legalisation still counts and you do not need to redo it.
Can I translate the hukou myself?
No. UKVI needs a certified translation by a qualified translator who is not connected to you. UKVI rejects translations you do yourself.
What about Hong Kong SAR documents after 2020?
Hong Kong still issues its own identity, marriage and birth certificates. They go through Hong Kong's own apostille process, which existed long before mainland China joined in 2023.
My notarial certificate is in Chinese only. Is a bilingual version required?
Some Chinese notary offices issue bilingual certificates in Chinese and English. You still need a certified translation to meet UKVI rules. English written by an embassy or a notary does not replace a qualified, UK-recognised translator.
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