Chinese Documents in U.S. Immigration Applications: What You Need to Know

Understanding the Department of State’s Requirements for Chinese Documents in USCIS Applications

When applying for a green card or other U.S. immigration benefits, Chinese citizens must submit various documents to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For many applicants, this includes birth and/or death certificates, which must meet specific requirements set by both the Department of State (DOS) and USCIS. In this post, we’ll explain the requirements for submitting Chinese birth and death certificates, including notarization, translations, and what to expect during the application process.

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Chinese Birth Certificates

For Chinese applicants, a Notarial Birth Certificate (Gong Zheng Shu) is typically required. This document is issued by a local Notary Public Office (Gong Zheng Chu) in China. The birth certificate serves as proof of an individual's identity, date of birth, and parentage, and it must meet the following criteria:

1. Issuing Authority and Seal Requirements: The notarial birth certificate should have a watermark, seal, and red stamp to ensure its authenticity. It will typically list the applicant’s full name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, both parents' names, and the applicant's National ID number (for those born after 2012).
2. Translation Requirement: All notarial documents, including the birth certificate, must include an English translation. This translation must be certified and accompanied by a statement confirming that it is accurate and conforms to the original Chinese text. Your notarial birth certificate may already include an English translation. If it does, then you likely do not need to obtain an additional translation for this document.

Chinese Marriage Certificates

If you are submitting a marriage certificate as part of your USCIS application, you’ll most likely need a Notarial Marriage Certificate (Gong Zheng Shu) from a Chinese Notary Public Office. Here’s what to expect:

Types of Notarial Marriage Certificates‍

There are two types of notarial marriage certificates in China:

1. Notarial Certificate for Marriage: This certificate verifies the legality and authenticity of the marriage itself, including the couple’s names, and the date and place of marriage.
2. Notarial Marriage Certificate: This certificate certifies that a copy of the original marriage certificate matches the original document.

Both types of certificates are accepted by USCIS, but the document must meet certain format standards, such as including a watermark, seal, and red stamp.

How to Obtain a Notarial Marriage Certificate

1. Issuing Authority: A local Notarial Office (Gong Zheng Chu) in China is responsible for issuing notarial marriage certificates. These offices are part of the Ministry of Justice and are located in both major cities and rural areas.
2. Required Documents: To obtain the certificate, you will need your National ID, household registration (Hu Kou Bu), and the original marriage certificate. If you live abroad, you may need to submit a copy of your passport. You’ll also need to provide photographs (at least two) and, if applicable, an authorization letter if someone else is requesting the certificate on your behalf.
3. No Certified Copies: Only the original certificate will be accepted by USCIS.‍
4. Translation Requirements
   All Chinese notarial certificates, including marriage certificates, must be translated into English. The translation must be certified and accompanied by a statement confirming that the English translation is accurate and consistent with the original Chinese document.‍‍

Applicants should be aware that same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in China, so applicants from same-sex marriages may face additional documentation challenges.

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Conclusion

Chinese citizens applying for U.S. immigration benefits through USCIS must carefully follow the U.S. Department of State’s guidelines for submitting their vital documents. By ensuring that your documents are properly notarized, translated, and supported by the necessary evidence, you can avoid delays and ensure that your application goes smoothly. Always check the specific requirements for the form you are submitting, and if you are unsure, consider doing your case with SimpleCitizen! SimpleCitizen has helped hundreds of Chinese citizens through this process! Ready to get started? We’re happy you’re here.

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