When you need to use a document from another country in Taiwan, it typically must be notarized and, in some cases, authenticated or legalized. Notarization is an essential legal process that certifies the authenticity of documents and ensures that they meet the legal requirements for use in a foreign jurisdiction. Whether you are dealing with personal, business, or legal matters, understanding how to get your document properly notarized for use in Taiwan is crucial.

Common Documents That Require Notarization

The types of documents that often need notarization for use in Taiwan include:

• Personal documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees.
• Academic documents: Diplomas, transcripts, and degrees.
• Business documents: Contracts, company registration documents, and powers of attorney.
• Legal documents: Court orders, affidavits, and property deeds.

If you are working, studying, or engaging in legal matters in Taiwan, these documents must be authenticated to be legally valid within the country.

Steps to Get a Document Notarized for Use in Taiwan

The process of getting a document notarized for use in Taiwan involves several steps, including notarization, authentication, and potentially legalization, depending on the country where the document originates.

1. Prepare the Document

The first step is to ensure that the document is properly prepared for notarization. The document should be complete, accurate, and original. If the document is in a language other than Chinese, it may need to be translated by a certified translator. In Taiwan, official documents must be in Mandarin Chinese, so it is often necessary to have a legal translation of any foreign documents before they can be used.

2. Notarization by a Notary Public

The next step is to have the document notarized by a notary public in your country of residence. A notary public is a legally authorized official who verifies the identities of the parties involved, ensures that the document is signed willingly, and affixes their official stamp or seal to confirm the authenticity of the signatures.

To notarize the document:

• You must appear before a notary public with the document and valid identification (such as a passport or national ID).
• The notary will confirm your identity, witness the signing of the document (if applicable), and certify that the document is legitimate.
• Once notarized, the document will bear the notary’s seal and signature, which confirms that it has been properly witnessed and verified.

3. Authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

After notarization, the document must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) or an equivalent government body in your country of residence. This step is essential because Taiwan needs confirmation that the notary’s signature and seal are legitimate. The authentication process ensures that the document can be recognized in foreign jurisdictions, including Taiwan.

Authentication typically involves submitting the notarized document to the MOFA or other competent authority, who will verify the notary’s credentials and add their stamp of approval to the document.

4. Legalization by the Taiwan Representative Office

Since Taiwan is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, documents from non-member countries cannot be apostilled. Instead, after authentication by your home country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the document must be legalized by the nearest Taiwan Representative Office (TRO). This office functions similarly to an embassy or consulate.

You will need to submit your authenticated document to the TRO for final legalization. This step ensures that the document is legally valid for use in Taiwan. The TRO will attach a legalization certificate to the document, confirming its authenticity and allowing it to be recognized by Taiwanese authorities.

5. Final Registration in Taiwan

In some cases, once the document is legalized by the Taiwan Representative Office, it may need to be submitted to the relevant Taiwanese government office for final registration. For example, business documents may need to be submitted to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) or similar offices in Taiwan for verification before they can be used for official purposes.