Apostille and Translation of Turkish and Chinese Documents for Kazakhstan

A diploma, criminal record certificate, company charter or birth certificate issued abroad will not always be accepted in Kazakhstan as it stands. You usually need two things: proof of authenticity and a translation. For Turkey and China the procedure is simpler than it looks, but each has its own features, and a mistake in the sequence can cost weeks.

Apostille or legalisation

Kazakhstan, Turkey and China are all parties to the 1961 Hague Convention, as the Kazakhstani Foreign Ministry's list of countries confirms. A public document is stamped with an apostille in the issuing country, and consular legalisation is not needed. China acceded in March 2023 and the Convention took effect for it on 7 November 2023; earlier documents may have been legalised under the old procedure.

An apostille is issued only in the country that issued the document. An embassy or consulate does not do this.

According to Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry, the following are not subject to legalisation:

• documents without the signature and seal of an authorised person;
• notarised copies and translations, if the original lacks such a signature and seal;
• electronic documents;
• original identity documents, other than a birth certificate.

Documents from Turkey

According to Turkish sources, summarised below, the authority depends on the type of document:

For documents drawn up in Turkish and notarised, such as a power of attorney or a diploma translation, the usual order is sworn translator or notary, then apostille. We did not find a single official description, so confirm the authority with the specific office. Entrepreneurs may find it useful to read about how a foreigner registers an LLP.

Documents from China

China's Consular Service says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues apostilles, and authorised local foreign affairs offices do so for documents from their region. This covers documents from notary offices, customs and CCPIT: birth and marriage certificates, non-criminal record certificates, education documents, powers of attorney, articles of association and certificates of origin.

Note the typical chain: a Chinese diploma or certificate is usually first processed by a notary office, and the apostille goes on the notarial document. Commercial documents go through CCPIT, which has an online service. Timing and cost vary by province.

Translation

Documents for Kazakhstani authorities are usually filed with a notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian. In practice, the translation is often done in Kazakhstan. To avoid rework:

1. Check names against the passport. Choose one transliteration for Chinese and Turkish names early.
2. Translate the document together with the apostille.
3. Ask the receiving body what language and certification format it expects.
4. Check validity. Certificates for residence applications usually remain valid for no more than 180 days, as noted in our permanent residence guide.

Common mistakes

• An apostille on a copy when the authority expects an original or notarised duplicate.
• Different spellings of a surname in a diploma and passport.
• Ordering a certificate too early, so it expires before filing.
• Assuming every body uses the same list: the rules for a branch or representative office differ from those for a residence permit.

Requirements depend on where the document is filed, so get the list from the specific authority first. Visa Navigator helps identify the documents needed for your procedure and prepare the package for filing in Kazakhstan. Timing in Turkey and China depends on those countries' authorities.

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and practice change — verify the current requirements as of the date you apply.