Hague / apostille guide · Inheritance apostille · POA pack · Work-permit timeline.
Typical mainland outbound band: notary in days, then FAO/MOFA apostille in days to about two weeks, then courier — not an SLA. Peak season, translations and a picky receiving window add weeks. Same-day exists only if that FAO posted it. Inbound foreign apostilles run on the origin state’s clock. Confirm the board fee at the competent office; this page will not invent an RMB table. Agents mark up logistics, not the Convention. First decide you even need an apostille on the Hague page.
At a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Big official fee? | Usually no. Confirm the FAO board. |
| How long? | Notary days + apostille days–~2 weeks + post. Not an SLA. |
| Same-day? | Only if that window posted it. |
| Agent? | Queue + courier markup. |
| Need apostille? | Hague page first. |
Scope and legal framework
Apostille is an administrative act. The Convention does not set a global fee or SLA. Mainland outbound apostilles sit at MOFA / authorised FAO after a notary deed.
Three invoices. Notary (private/statutory scale), FAO/MOFA (posted government fee), optional agent (unregulated markup). Do not treat the third as official.
Inbound vs outbound clocks. A US/UK apostille for use in China is the origin competent authority’s problem. China FAO time only applies to Chinese deeds going out.
Practical workflow
- Hague page: apostille vs legalisation.
- Book notary; ask FAO whether mail-in or appointment is real this month.
- Pay the posted fee; treat agent quotes as logistics.
Common mistakes
- Promising a buyer “stamped Friday” before FAO is booked.
- Comparing a Shanghai FAO rumour to a US Secretary of State clock.
- Skipping the inheritance apostille spoke for estate packs.
Action checklist
- Receiving deadline written down.
- FAO appointment or mail rule checked this week.
- Official fee screenshot saved.
- Agent quote split: fee vs markup.
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