APOSTILLE FOR HONG KONG
Apostille Services for Hong Kong
Opening a bank account, forming a company, relocating an employee or handling family matters in Hong Kong? We prepare and apostille your U.S. documents and send them ready for your bank, solicitor or government office.
Over 20 years in business · Thousands of documents processed · 600+ five-star Google reviews
HONG KONG AT A GLANCE
Apostille since 1965
Separate from mainland China, and English is official.
- Banking and company formation
- Corporate powers of attorney
- Employment visas
- Family records
How documents for Hong Kong work
Documents we prepare for Hong Kong
- Certificates of good standing, articles and board resolutions for Hong Kong companies and banks
- Corporate and personal powers of attorney
- FBI background checks for employment and dependant visas
- Diplomas and transcripts for employment and study
- Birth and marriage certificates for dependant visas and family matters
- Bank, employment and reference letters, notarized for use abroad
- Probate and estate documents
What Hong Kong usually requires
| Document | Where the apostille comes from | What else to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate documents | Secretary of the Commonwealth, Delaware or the issuing state | Recently issued certificates for banks and registries |
| Power of attorney | Secretary of the Commonwealth, after notarization | Ask the Hong Kong bank or solicitor for its wording |
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State | Usually expected to be recent |
| Diploma or transcript | Secretary of the Commonwealth, through your school | See our university pages |
| Birth or marriage certificate | Secretary of the Commonwealth or the issuing state | A certified copy from the clerk or vital records office |
Requirements change and can differ by office, city and purpose. Always confirm the exact requirements with the office receiving your documents. We are glad to review the instructions you received.
Ready to get started?
Tell us what you need, and we will take care of every step.
Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China
How we handle it
- 1
Share the recipient's requirements
Send us the checklist or email you received from the ministry, consulate, employer, attorney or bank. We review it and confirm exactly what each document needs before any work begins.
- 2
We prepare each document
Certified copies, notarization by appointment anywhere in Greater Boston, or retrieval of records you do not yet have, such as Massachusetts vital records.
- 3
Certification from the right offices
Massachusetts documents go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, documents from other states to the issuing state, and federal documents, such as FBI background checks, to the U.S. Department of State.
- 4
Delivery to Hong Kong
We return the completed set with tracking, to you, your company secretary, your solicitor or your bank in Hong Kong.
Common reasons clients need documents for Hong Kong
Banking
Opening a corporate or personal account often requires apostilled corporate records, identification-related declarations and powers of attorney. See Corporate Bank Accounts Abroad.
Company formation and subsidiaries
Parent company records and resolutions for a Hong Kong entity. See Foreign Subsidiary Documents.
Employment visas
Degrees, background checks and employment letters for professionals relocating to Hong Kong. See Employee Relocation.
Family and property
Birth and marriage certificates for dependants, and powers of attorney for property and estate matters.
Typical document package for a Hong Kong bank or company secretary
| Document | Purpose | How it is prepared |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of good standing or incumbency | Confirms the company exists and is in good standing | Issued by the state of formation, then apostilled by that state |
| Certified articles of organization or incorporation | Shows the company's formation and structure | Certified copy from the state filing office, then apostilled |
| Board resolution or secretary's certificate | Authorizes the account, subsidiary or signatory | Signed by an officer before a notary, then apostilled. See Board Resolutions |
| Officer or incumbency certificate | Identifies directors and authorized signers | Signed before a notary, then apostilled. See Officer Certificates |
| Corporate power of attorney | Lets a representative act in Hong Kong | Signed before a notary, then apostilled. See Corporate Powers of Attorney |
Banks and company secretaries publish their own checklists, and they change. We prepare each document to the exact list you receive.
Working with Hong Kong banks and company secretaries
Employment visas and relocating staff
Personal and family matters
Timing
Common mistakes we help you avoid
- Treating Hong Kong as mainland China. The rules, offices and translation needs differ. Name the exact destination.
- A state apostille on an FBI check. FBI checks require the U.S. Department of State apostille.
- Out-of-date company certificates. Banks and registries often want certificates issued within recent months.
- Generic power of attorney wording. Hong Kong banks and solicitors frequently supply their own forms.
- Photocopies of official records. Certified copies are required for an apostille.
Official sources
- Hague Conference: Apostille Convention status table
- Hague Conference: Hong Kong apostille authorities
- Hague Conference: China declaration on Hong Kong and Macao (2023)
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: apostilles and certifications
- U.S. Department of State: authenticating documents
Requirements change, and the receiving office always has the final word. We confirm current requirements with every quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hong Kong accept apostilles?
Yes. The Hague Apostille Convention has applied to Hong Kong since April 25, 1965, and it continues to apply.
Is Hong Kong the same as mainland China for apostilles?
No. Hong Kong has its own apostille status and authorities. Mainland China joined the Convention separately on November 7, 2023.
Do documents for Hong Kong need translation?
Usually not. English is an official language in Hong Kong, so English documents are generally accepted. If an office requests a Chinese translation, we can provide one.
Can you prepare corporate documents for a Hong Kong bank?
Yes, including certificates of good standing, resolutions and powers of attorney, prepared to the bank's checklist.
Who apostilles an FBI background check for a Hong Kong visa?
The U.S. Department of State, because it is a federal document. A state apostille is not accepted for it.
Can you notarize several company officers at once?
Yes. We come to your office anywhere in Greater Boston and notarize every signer in a single visit.
How long does it take?
Massachusetts apostilles are typically issued within one to two business days once the documents are ready. Federal and out-of-state documents take longer, and we confirm timing with your quote.
Can a Hong Kong solicitor's power of attorney be signed in Massachusetts?
Yes. We notarize your signature on the solicitor's document in its final form, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth apostilles it for use in Hong Kong. Send it to us before your appointment so we can confirm the signature block.
Do Hong Kong banks accept apostilled Delaware documents?
Delaware documents are apostilled by Delaware, and Hong Kong accepts apostilles from any U.S. state. We coordinate Delaware and Massachusetts documents in one order.
How recent must company certificates be?
Many Hong Kong banks and company secretaries ask for certificates issued within the last few months, so we order them close to your submission date.
Do you work with HR teams relocating employees?
Yes. We prepare diplomas, background checks and family records for each employee and keep the HR team informed throughout.
Do you ship to Hong Kong?
Yes, with tracking, to you, your company secretary, your solicitor or your bank.
Sending documents to Hong Kong?
Tell us about your documents, their purpose and your deadline, and we will outline every step.