Legalization procedure
Submitting the request for legalization of a document is done according to the following procedure:
1) Submit a document in the Bosnian, Serbian, or Croatian language issued by the state or other authorized institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (e.g., a certificate of non-criminal record, a certificate of permanent residence, etc.). A document in another language should be translated by a licensed court interpreter.
2) The basic court is competent to certify the document with an Apostille stamp. The judge of the basic court provides the document with a signature and seal. The Apostille mark is a square stamp. The legal term "Apostille" should appear at the top of the seal as a confirmation of the seal's validity. An Apostille stamp confirms the authenticity of the signature, place of issue, and seal or stamp on the document. Each Apostille stamp (with a date and unique number) is instituted and regulated by a special department of the primary court.
3) The document stamped with the Apostille stamp must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina for authentication.
4) Upon authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the document is submitted to the Embassy for legalization.
Note:
1) The content and procedure for obtaining the document must be authentic, complete, and legal. The content must not violate the laws of the People's Republic of China or contain provisions that may harm China's national interest. If the document for legalization has more than two sheets, it is necessary to affix them into one unit so that they cannot be separated easily. To ensure the authenticity of the documents, the sheets should be provided with sealing wax, a dry stamp, or a single stamp along the edge of each sheet. If the procedure is incomplete, the format of the document is non-standard, the content of the document is illegal, the document has been modified, certain sheets have been replaced, etc., the Embassy will deny the request for legalization.
2) A statement or certificate of free marital status for marriage in the People's Republic of China is valid for 6 months from legalization; a certificate of marital, health, or property status, as well as a certificate of income and con-criminal record used in the process of adopting a child in the People's Republic of China has a validity period of 6 months from the date of legalization to the submission of the application for adoption (not counting the time of document processing in adoption centers in the People's Republic of China); The Embassy will deny the request for legalization of an expired document.
3) Documents that have been legalized at the Embassy may not be altered or detached on one’s own. The applicant will be responsible for any issues and subsequent legal repercussions arising from the arbitrary modification or detachment of the documents.
Documentation for submitting the request for legalization
1. A completed copy of the "Application form for legalization at the embassy/consulate of the People's Republic of China);
2. Original and copy of the document authenticated at the basic court, the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
3. Original passport and a copy of the first page with data or other identification document such as a driver's license and the like;
4. The applicant's assignee should provide a copy of his/her identification document and the applicant's document;
5. If a request for legalization is submitted on behalf of a legal entity, it is necessary to provide a copy of the identification document of the legal representative and a certificate confirming that the applicant is a legal representative;
6. Other supporting documents that the consular officer deems necessary to submit for the legalization procedure.
Method of submission of the application
1) The applicant can submit the application in person or authorize an assignee (it is not necessary to attach a power of attorney). Please note that, if needed, the Embassy may request that the applicant submit the documentation in person and attend the interview.
2) The applicants are required to schedule an appointment for legalization via email at sarajevo@csm.mfa.gov.cnand send all scanned documents for review. It is necessary to come at the scheduled appointment with the documentation and submit the request. (Working hours of the consular department: Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The consular department will be closed during Chinese holidays.)
3) The applicant or the assignee can come to the Embassy to pick up the documents at the earliest possible time on the date indicated on the pick-up form. The Embassy does not offer mailing services.
4) The request for legalization cannot be revoked after submitting the documents. The applicant is obliged to cover the legalization costs.
Processing time
1) Standard procedure: 4-5th working day
2) Express procedure: 3rd working day
3) Urgent procedure: 2nd working day
Note:
The specified processing time is only for reference. Certain requests may take longer, so processing time is not set. If this happens, the applicant should wait for notification from the Embassy.
Legalization fee
1) Standard procedure: 38 KM for natural persons per copy; 76 KM for legal entities per copy
2) Express procedure: an additional 43 KM is charged for each copy
3) Urgent procedure: an additional 63 KM is charged for each copy
Payment method
Fees are paid to the bank account of the Embassy. The reception desk does not accept payments in cash.
Attachment: Application form for consular legalization