Authentication means the authentication of the last signature or seal / stamp of the relevant authority affixed on a document. An authentication in no way attests to the authenticity of the contents of a document.

Steps for authentication

To have a document which was executed in the United Republic of Tanzania be accepted in the People's Republic of China, The document shall first be notarized by a Tanzanian Notary Public, then authenticated by the Legal Affairs Unit in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and finally be authenticated by the Chinese Embassy. If the document is issued by an office of Tanzanian government or a public institution, it can be directly sent to MFAIC for authentication before it undergoes authentication by the Chinese Embassy.

Requirements for authentication

1.Before submit your documents, please complete an authentication application form. It is available upon request at consular section in Chinese embassy.

2.Providing the original document authenticated by the Legal Affairs Unit in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and its complete duplicate (including MFAIC authenticated page).

3.Document which contains more than two pages should be tightly banded with ribbons and notary public seal should be produced to avoid any forgery behavior.

4.Documents for private affairs, the passport and valid visa of the applicant together with the photocopies of the above are required.

5.All applications can be submitted in person or through a courier, but a power of attorney of the applicant is required. Application by post is not accepted.

Notes:

1.Please be advised that the authentication only confirms that the signature of an official and the seal of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on the page attached to your document are genuine. It does not mean that the contents of the document are correct or the Embassy approves of the contents.

2.According to the Sino-British Agreement, Hague Convention is still effective in Hong Kong after July 1, 1997. If the document has already been authenticated by the country that is signatory to the Hague Convention , it can be used in HK without authentication of the Chinese Embassy.

3.On the receipt of the application, the Embassy will only issue the applicant with a pickup form, rather than signing any document.

Marriage status

1.Overseas Chinese citizens get married in Tanzania

The Chinese government encourages overseas Chinese citizens to register their marriages in the country in which they live.

Marriage certificates can be used in China after accomplishing the Steps of Authentication.

2.Tanzanian citizen who has never been married apply for authentication of documents in order to get married in China

1) One properly filled-in and duly signed application form for authentication.

2) A Single Status Certificate obtained from Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and authenticated by the MFAIC and its duplicate.

3) Proof of identity with photo (such as valid passport) and its duplicate.

 3.Tanzanian citizen divorced in Tanzania apply for authentication of documents in order to get married in China

1) One properly filled-in and duly signed application form for authentication.

2) A Single Status Certificate obtained from Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and authenticated by the MFAIC and its duplicate.

3) The Decree issued by the Court of Tanzania and authenticated by MFAIC and its duplicate. Those divorced in Tanzania whose former spouse is a Chinese citizen shall apply to a competent court in China to have the Decree recognized after the authentication by the Embassy. Therefore, the applicant divorced with a non-Chinese citizen shall provide a certificate in relation to the nationality of his/her former spouse and the duplicate copy.

4) Proof of identity with photo (such as valid passport) and its duplicate.

Processing time & Fees

The authentication fee is Tzs30,000 shillings for each commercial document or document related to estate or property; Tzs 15,000 shillings for each document of the other types. Normal service takes 4 working days. Express service takes 2 working days. Express fee is Tzs26,000 shillings extra per document. Please pay in cash.