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Q: Degree certificate authentication - copy or original?
Forgive me for sounding stupid but the whole degree certificate authentication process is very confusing. If I am getting this from my home country, do they authenticate/notarize/legalize a copy of the certificate or do they put the stamps etc on the actual certificate? What about the transcript? Does it need to be authenticated as well? The HR people where I'm going to work first told me that a notarized copy of my degree was sufficient but I think she's using the incorrect term. Help!
7 years 51 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
I didn't start with new FEC as off yet when I'll see if I'll pass without degree authorisation, because there's another snag on my way.
In Guizhou, where I am now, for RP extension/changing of the RP employer, new FEC and other things, one must have Release letter, FEC Cancel cert. and Recommendation letter. Previous Health certificate is also required.
I am not sure, if that's Law change or Rec. letter at changing employer is Province's requirement.
My things is a bit hairy: ex-employer/RP sponsor refuse to issue Rec. letter, despite they don't have valid reason for that. I resigned, because of School's Contract breach, but ex-employer refuse to issue Rec. letter, despite earlier promise.
Henan SAFEA is working hard....again!
Shining_brow:
And... what exactly does this have to do with the OP's question???
Hotwater:
Yep, typical icnif reply that doesn't come anywhere near to answering the question. If you don't know the answer then better not to respond
icnif77:
Not much with OP's question, but I wanted to tell that new thing is required in Guizhou: 'Recommendation letter is a must!' not only Release letter and FEC Cancel cert. as before.
It starts with your University.
1. Go to your University.
2. Ask your University to give you a notarized copy of your degree and trans.
3. Next, take the notarized copy of your degree, trans and TEFL certs to the Chinese Embassy for Authentication stickers, it cost $110 for each doc.
So they won't put an authentication sticker on your degree, they'll stick on the back of the notarized copy from your University and TEFL school.
Thats all. I have already done it.
Englteachted:
Ok don't need state dept, authentication bore going to the embassy?
ironman510:
Yep, you got it. Just University and China Embassy visit and back to the FEC office in China.
Shining_brow:
My university doesn't do notorisations... and besides, it's the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that does this for Australian government official documents.
So, your description may only apply to certain individuals from certain countries...!
ironman510:
In any country there will be an office, DFA, city hall, your embassy to notarized your documents when and if your university can't or doesn't offer to notarize a copy of your degree..
The copy is authenticated. Because the FEB will keep what is given to them. So get extra copies if you plan on moving around.
Sorry Deborah - this is a new thing, and so it's unlikely that too many people will have a definitive answer for you just yet.
When I got my criminal history check notorised, it needed to be original - not a copy (fortunately, the police sent me 3 of them - I think they understand the deal!)
(edit: this may all depend on which part of China you're in, and which part of the world you come from)
ironman510:
I just finished doing the whole thing. So my answer is the correct way. The FEC office only wants to see that sticker before issuing you a new FEC booklet than they hand it right back to you, of course people will change jobs.
deborahjayne:
Australia is like the UK and New Zealand. The university doesn't notarize anything. And as far as I know, a transcript can't be legalized and authenticated in the UK. The Chinese Consulate won't authenticate anything that's not been through notarization and legalization by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I checked the transcript and it's signed by the Academic Secretary, and such people aren't likely to be 'public officials' as defined by the FCO. Hopefully it's enough to get the big stamp for the degree certificate and give them my original transcript.
Shining_brow:
Deborah - given that they won't accept a criminal history check by Australian Federal Police (with all of their logos, etc), I doubt they'll be so kind for this. Remember, Chinese LOVE red tape!
As I said, go to Foreign Affairs office (or whatever in the UK), pay them to do a stamp, then to the Chinese consulate/embassy for their seal of approval (which will cost you more money!)
some how my post was edited and thus the picture was removed.
deborahjayne:
Thanks for your help. I don't think I can get the transcript authenticated but I can get the degree certificate authenticated. Thanks!
Shining_brow:
You should be able to get the transcript authenticated.
Have you checked your uni's website? Aus has info on how to get this done.
ironman510:
This all documents and trans, degrees and TEFL or certs need to be authenticated, I would get them all done, it can be done at your Uni, state department, embassy or notary office and or DFA office, make a copy, than get it notarized and get it a sticker from the China Embassy. Someday they might ask for DNA ID cards if this keeps up.
deborahjayne:
I'll see if the notary public can notarize the transcript as well. The University doesn't do this in the UK and they told me to check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Chinese Consulate. Transcripts aren't listed in the documents that can be legalized by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Chinese Consulate in the UK won't accept anything that's not been legalized by the FCO. That's what I understand from reading their website anyway.
deborahjayne:
Ok, apparently the agent who's doing this for me overseas says that a transcript can be legalized, so I'll get it done as well. There is a process you can use in China, and I'm tempted to go through that as well, just to be completely water-tight!
Hotwater:
@ Ironman, are you sure you're not confusing topics? You posted a picture on this topic:
http://answers.echinacities.com/question/degree-certification-issuesquestions?type=alatest#lastcomment
ironman510:
@Hotwater, the admin deleted the picture, its the same sticker, don't know why it was removed.
