什么是领事认证

What is consular authentication?

领事认证

Consular authentication

日常生活中，我们经常会接触到"认证"一词，比如在报纸上、电视上看到"产品质量认证"或"认证许可"等，但这些并不是我们这里所要讲的领事认证。那么，究竟什么是领事认证呢？

In our daily life, we can often see the term "Authentication" on newspaper and TV, such as "product quality authentication" or "authentication permit". However, these are not the consular authentication we will talk about here. Then what is consular authentication?

让我们先来了解一下儿领事认证的定义吧。领事认证就是指一国外交、领事机构及其授权机构在公证文书或其他证明文书上，确认公证机构、相应机关或者认证机关的最后一个签字（签章）或印章属实的活动。

Firstly let's see the definition of consular authentication. Consular authentication means that the diplomatic or consular body of a country or an institution authorized by it confirms the final signature  (signature and seal) or seal on the notarized document or other certificates of the notarization institution, corresponding organ or authentication organ as true.

也就是说，我国内地出具的有关涉外公证书或其他相关证明文书等在送往外国使用前，按照国际惯例和我国领事实践，一般情况下，需要办理外交部领事司或其授权的地方人民政府外事办公室（以下简称地方外办）和外国驻华使领馆的领事认证。反之，外国出具的有关文书拟送往我国使用前，一般情况，需在当地办理有关公证及认证后，再到我国驻该国使领馆办理领事认证。

Namely, before delivered abroad for use, related notarizations or other relevant certificates concerning foreign affairs issued by Chinese mainland generally require the consular authentication by the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the foreign affairs office of a regional people's government authorized by it (hereinafter referred to as regional office) and the embassy or consulate of the foreign country in China, following international practice and the consular practice of China. On the other hand, before delivered to China for use, related documents issued by a foreign country generally shall proceed with related notarization and authentication at the local area before proceeding with consular authentication at the embassy or consulate of China in the concerned country.