Translation, CHSI and CSSD academic verification, and credential evaluation are separate questions. This China degree and graduation certificate Apostille guide helps select and prepare the relevant certificate; detailed service arrangements remain with our China Degree Apostille services.
Which Chinese Academic Document Does the Overseas Recipient Need?
Start with the recipient's written request. It may ask for the Graduation Certificate, Degree Certificate, both, or another record. Confirm the document name, required form, language and submission method.
An Academic Transcript (成绩单) is a separate record of courses or grades, not part of either certificate. Detailed transcript preparation and delivery are outside this article.
Graduation Certificate vs Degree Certificate
Graduation Certificate / 毕业证书
A Graduation Certificate records that the student completed the relevant academic program and satisfied the institution's graduation requirements. China's student-management rules address graduation and the issue of a graduation certificate on that basis.
Degree Certificate / 学位证书
A Degree Certificate records the formal award of an academic degree by the degree-awarding body after the applicable degree conditions are met. China's Degree Law treats degree conferral as a distinct academic act.
The records are therefore related but not interchangeable. A person may have a Graduation Certificate without necessarily holding the corresponding Degree Certificate.
Why “Diploma” Can Be Ambiguous
“Diploma” appears in search queries and some recipient instructions, but it is not a reliable universal English translation for both Chinese certificates. Ask whether the recipient means evidence of graduation, evidence of an awarded degree, or both, and use the certificate's actual English title where available.
Do You Need to Apostille Both Certificates?
No universal China Apostille rule requires every applicant to prepare both. The overseas recipient decides whether it needs the Graduation Certificate only, Degree Certificate only, both certificates, one certificate plus CHSI/CSSD verification, or another supporting record. Do not pay to notarize and Apostille both merely because both are available.
How Does the Original Certificate Enter the Apostille Process?
Current China MFA guidance states that graduation or diploma documents, degree certificates and transcripts issued by Chinese educational institutions cannot be submitted directly through the ordinary Apostille or consular-legalization route. They must first undergo notarization in China.
The original Graduation Certificate or Degree Certificate may support the notary's review. After the appropriate foreign-related notarial certificate is issued, that eligible notarial/public document proceeds to the Apostille stage. The exact notarial subject, certificate form, supporting evidence, use of an original or copy, and translation arrangement remain case-specific. Review the broader difference between Apostille and notarization before treating them as one step.
| Document / Form | What It Represents | Main Preparation Issue | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Graduation Certificate | Graduation from the program | Used in the notarization review; not automatically submitted directly for Apostille | Whether the recipient requests graduation evidence |
| Original Degree Certificate | Award of an academic degree | Used in the notarization review under the applicable route | Whether degree-conferral evidence is required |
| Ordinary photocopy | Reproduction of a certificate | Does not by itself establish official or notarial status | Whether an original, notarized copy or other form is needed |
| Scanned copy | Digital reproduction | May be useful for preliminary review but not sufficient by itself | Submission and identity-check requirements |
| CHSI qualification/graduation report | Official academic-information verification product | Separate from notarization and Apostille | Whether the notary or recipient requests it |
| CHSI degree verification report | Verification relating to degree information | Not interchangeable with the Degree Certificate or Apostille | Whether separate verification is required |
| University-issued statement | Institutional statement about a specified matter | Not automatically covered by the MFA rule for the listed certificates | Its status, purpose and applicable route |
| Notarized copy | A notarial act relating to a copy | Its scope may differ from a notarial certificate concerning graduation or degree | Whether that form satisfies the recipient |
| Foreign-related notarial certificate concerning graduation | Qualifying notarial/public document about graduation | Exact subject and attachments depend on the case | Recipient wording and competent-authority requirements |
| Foreign-related notarial certificate concerning degree | Qualifying notarial/public document about degree award | Must correspond to the required academic fact | Recipient wording and competent-authority requirements |
| Translated notarial certificate | Notarial package containing or addressing a translation | Language and certification are separate requirements | Destination and recipient translation rules |
What Form Enters the Apostille Route?
The working framework is: university certificate → Chinese notarization review → qualifying foreign-related notarial certificate → Apostille stage. This describes the order required for the MFA-listed educational records, not one universal notarial-certificate format. China MFA and authorized local foreign affairs offices handle eligible mainland Chinese public documents under the applicable China Apostille requirements and process.
What Does the Apostille Actually Authenticate?
Under the HCCH Apostille Convention, an Apostille authenticates the signature on the qualifying public document, the capacity in which the signer acted and, where applicable, the identity of the seal or stamp. It does not verify academic equivalency, course content or foreign academic level; replace CHSI/CSSD verification or credential evaluation; or guarantee university, immigration or licensing acceptance.
Does the Academic Document Need Translation?
Authentication and translation are separate issues. The required language, whether translation is incorporated into the notarial certificate, when it is prepared and whether additional certification is needed can depend on the notarial form, destination, filing language and receiving organization. There is no universal basis for translating both certificates together.
Is CHSI or CSSD Verification the Same as Apostille?
No. CHSI/CSSD products may verify relevant academic information, while Apostille authenticates formal origin elements of a qualifying public/notarial document. One does not automatically replace the other, and current MFA guidance does not make CHSI/CSSD verification a universal requirement for every academic Apostille case.
Apostille vs WES or Credential Evaluation
Apostille is not credential evaluation. WES or another evaluator applies its own methodology and submission requirements. Neither process automatically replaces the other.
Check the Overseas Receiving Organization First
Before paying for notarization, confirm whether the recipient needs the Graduation Certificate, Degree Certificate or both; the original or notarial form; a translation; CHSI/CSSD verification; credential evaluation; supporting records; a particular submission format; or a recently issued document. Written instructions reduce the risk of preparing the wrong academic record.
If a completed package is later rejected, review what to check if an Apostilled document is not accepted overseas. For examples of certificate structure and attachment relationships, see China Apostille degree-document samples.
Degree and Graduation Certificate Review Checklist
Review checklist—not universal official requirements:
- Graduation Certificate, Degree Certificate or both.
- Issuing university and graduation year.
- Destination country, receiving organization and intended use.
- Exact recipient wording and required submission form.
- Original or copy availability and existing notarization status.
- Required language and any stated CHSI/CSSD or credential-evaluation requirement.
- Deadline.
Common Mistakes
- Treating 毕业证书 and 学位证书 as the same document.
- Apostilling both automatically.
- Assuming the university original proceeds directly to Apostille.
- Confusing CHSI verification with Apostille or assuming Apostille replaces WES.
- Assuming every certificate requires English translation.
- Paying for notarization before confirming recipient wording.
- Assuming Apostille guarantees acceptance.
Official sources reviewed: August 27, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Chinese Graduation Certificate and Degree Certificate?
The Graduation Certificate records completion of graduation requirements; the Degree Certificate records the formal award of an academic degree. They are separate records.
Do I need to Apostille both certificates?
Not automatically. Prepare only the certificate or combination confirmed by the overseas receiving organization.
Can a Chinese Degree Certificate be Apostilled?
It can be prepared through the applicable notarization-first route. The eligible resulting foreign-related notarial document then proceeds to Apostille.
Does a Graduation Certificate need notarization before Apostille?
Yes, current China MFA guidance requires graduation or diploma documents issued by Chinese educational institutions to undergo notarization first.
Can the original university certificate receive the Apostille directly?
Under the current MFA route for the listed educational records, the original supports notarization; the eligible resulting notarial/public document proceeds to Apostille.
Do I need an English translation?
Not universally. The language, form and timing depend on the notarial arrangement, destination and receiving organization.
Is CHSI or CSSD verification the same as Apostille?
No. Academic-information verification and formal-origin authentication are separate processes.
Is Apostille the same as WES credential evaluation?
No. WES or another evaluator applies its own methodology and document requirements.
Does Apostille guarantee overseas acceptance?
No. The receiving organization still decides whether the academic record, form, translation and supporting evidence satisfy its requirements.
Request a China Academic Document Apostille Review
Provide whether you have a Graduation Certificate, Degree Certificate or both; the issuing university and graduation year; destination country; receiving organization; intended use; exact recipient wording; original or copy availability; notarization status; required language; and deadline. Do not initially send full certificate or passport numbers, national ID numbers or unredacted academic documents.
Global Attest can review which available academic certificate matches the overseas recipient's request and, where feasible, assist with China-side notarization, certified translation and Apostille coordination. Final document requirements, authority processing and overseas acceptance remain subject to the relevant notary, Apostille authority and receiving organization.
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