Sworn Chinese translation
Notarised sworn Chinese–Turkish translations prepared for acceptance in China
Yeni İpekyolu translates Turkish documents for use in China and official documents received from China through sworn translators, and plans the notarisation and apostille steps for you. From company papers to diplomas, all in one place.
Sworn Chinese translation: how your document gets accepted in China
Sworn translation, notarisation and apostille: three separate steps
In Türkiye, an official document is usually translated into Chinese by a translator who has taken an oath before a notary. The translator signs the translation and the notary certifies the translator's signature, giving the translation official status. If the document will be submitted to an authority in China, a third step comes in: the apostille. Since China joined the Hague Apostille Convention, in force since November 2023, Turkish public documents can now generally be used with an apostille instead of consular legalisation. At Yeni İpekyolu we plan these three steps in the right order and confirm the current practice with you for every file.
The order is where mistakes happen most often. For some documents the apostille goes on the Turkish original, in other cases on the notarised translation, and the expectations of the Chinese authority requesting the document also affect this choice. A company registration in China, a visa application or a bank may each ask for the same document in a different form. That is why, before we start, we ask to whom and for what purpose the document will be submitted in China. Where needed, our team members in China speak with the relevant office or your client's accountant to clarify the required format in advance.
Turkish documents going to China: from company papers to diplomas
The documents Turkish companies doing business in China most often have translated are the trade registry gazette, certificate of activity, signature circular, power of attorney and board resolution. These are requested when setting up a company or representative office in China, filing a trademark, signing a distribution agreement or proving authority at a bank. On the individual side, diplomas, transcripts, criminal record certificates, and birth and marriage certificates are frequently needed for work permits, study and family reunification. At Yeni İpekyolu we work with sworn translators who know the official terms used in China for each type of document.
Consistency of names and titles is crucial in Chinese translation. Once the Chinese equivalent of your company name has been set, it must be written the same way in every document; otherwise Chinese authorities may think two different companies are involved. Personal names must match passports, and addresses and dates must follow Chinese writing conventions. We keep a list of terms and names for your file and use the same list in every later translation. If you have already chosen a Chinese brand or company name, we add it to this list as well.
Documents from China: Turkish versions of business licences, certificates and invoices
The need is just as great in the other direction. If your Chinese supplier's business licence (营业执照), certificate of origin, test reports, product certificates, commercial invoices or a power of attorney issued in China will be used at customs, a bank, a court or a tender in Türkiye, a sworn Turkish translation may be required. Public documents issued in China can now also generally be used in Türkiye with an apostille obtained in China. If the document needs an apostille in China, we start the process by writing to your supplier in Chinese, and once the document reaches Türkiye we complete the translation and notarisation.
On Chinese documents, the red company seal (公章) carries more weight than a signature, and the seal text must also be translated. We also check whether the company name on the seal matches the name in the document exactly, and alert you immediately if there is a difference. This small check also helps you spot forged or unauthorised documents early. If you wish, we can additionally check the issuing company's registration in Chinese sources and give you a short note together with the translation.
What if the office in China wants its own translation?
Some Chinese offices, especially local administrations and some banks, may ask for foreign documents to be translated under the seal of a translation company registered in China. This practice can vary from city to city and from office to office. In that case, thanks to our network in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Yiwu, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing, Yeni İpekyolu coordinates with an authorised translation company in China. We make sure the sworn translation in Türkiye and the sealed translation in China use the same terms, so no contradiction arises between the two.
The most practical approach is to ask where the document will be used before preparing it. We draft a short question text in Chinese so you can learn from your counterpart in China the required format, where the apostille should go and in which language or under which seal the translation should be. Once the answer arrives, we propose the plan with the fewest steps. When the documents are ready, we send scanned copies via WeChat or email and the originals by courier to the address you choose.
Who needs a sworn Chinese translation?
Companies setting up an entity or rep office in China
Your trade registry gazette, signature circular, certificate of activity and board resolution are prepared with Chinese translation and apostille. We learn in advance the format the licensed Chinese agent requires. That way the documents are accepted the first time.
Importers receiving documents from China
If your supplier's business licence, certificates or a power of attorney issued in China will be used in Türkiye, we provide a sworn Turkish translation. We also check that the seal matches the company name.
People who will work, study or live in China
Diplomas, transcripts, criminal record certificates, and birth and marriage certificates are needed for work permit or study applications. We prepare them in the format your employer or school in China requires.
Companies signing with a Chinese partner
Distribution, partnership or tender files require official translations of authority documents. We deliver them on time according to your contract schedule.
What your sworn translation file includes
Purpose and format check
We find out which office in China or Türkiye the document will be submitted to. We determine where the apostille goes and which approvals are needed. If necessary, we draft a question text in Chinese for the other party.
Sworn translation
A notary-sworn translator translates and signs the Turkish ⇄ Chinese translation. Seals, stamps and handwritten notes are also translated. Simplified Chinese is used.
Notarisation
The translator's signature is certified by the notary. If several copies are needed, this is planned in advance. We follow up the certified translation on your behalf.
Apostille coordination
For Turkish documents we determine which authority issues the apostille and follow the application. For documents issued in China we give your supplier guidance in Chinese. We confirm current practice for every file.
Term and name list
We keep a permanent list of company name, brand name, personal names and addresses. The same equivalents are used in all later documents.
Sealed translation support in China
If the office requires the seal of a translation company registered in China, we coordinate with our local partners. Terms are kept consistent with the translation made in Türkiye.
Service summary and requirements
| Language pair | Turkish ⇄ Chinese (Simplified) |
|---|---|
| Delivery team | Sworn translator + reviewer + China office network |
| Pricing | Per page or document · notary and apostille fees separate |
| Service languages | Turkish · Chinese · English |
| Cities served | Guangzhou · Shenzhen · Yiwu · Shanghai · Hangzhou · Beijing (coordinated from our Istanbul office) |
The final price and timeline depend on the scope; we send you a clear quote promptly.
What you need to provide
- A clear scan of the document (original later if required)
- Which office in China or Türkiye it will be submitted to
- Passport copy (for spelling of personal names)
- Your Chinese company or brand name, if any
- Delivery address and number of copies needed
Five steps from document to certified translation
- 1
Share the document and purpose
Send a scan of the document and where it will be used in China via WeChat, WhatsApp or email. We give you a roadmap the same day.
- 2
We clarify the order
We decide whether the apostille goes on the original or the translation, and how many copies are needed. If necessary, we confirm with the counterpart in China.
- 3
Translation and review
The sworn translator does the translation, and a second reviewer checks names, dates and numbers. We send the draft for your approval.
- 4
Notary and apostille
We obtain notarisation and follow up the apostille application. We update you at every stage.
- 5
Delivery
Scanned copies are sent digitally and originals by courier to your chosen address in Türkiye or China. The term list is kept for future work.
Frequently asked questions
Do my documents for China still need consular legalisation?
Since China joined the Apostille Convention, Turkish public documents have generally been usable in China with an apostille since November 2023. In most cases this removed the consular legalisation previously required. As there may be differences by document type and office, we confirm the current practice together.
Does the apostille go on the original or on the translation?
It depends on the type of document and what the office in China expects. Some files may require a step for both. We clarify this before starting and avoid unnecessary cost and lost time.
Can I use my Chinese supplier's document in Türkiye?
Generally yes; for official use the document usually needs an apostille in China and a sworn Turkish translation in Türkiye. We write guidance to your supplier in Chinese and start the process. When the document arrives, we complete the translation and notarisation.
How long does the translation take?
Standard one-page documents are usually ready quickly; long company files are scheduled by page count. Notary and apostille steps take additional time. Once we see the document, we give you a clear delivery date.
My company has no Chinese name; what will the translation say?
In official translations, the company name is usually kept as is in Latin letters, with a descriptive Chinese equivalent added if needed. If you plan long-term business in China, choosing a permanent Chinese name is useful. Our Chinese brand naming service can help with this too.
Do I need to send the original documents?
We can start translating from a scanned copy. At the notarisation and apostille stage, the original or a certified copy is usually required. We tell you upfront what is needed at each stage.
Can you send the translations to an address in China?
Yes. We can send certified documents by international courier to your partner or agent in China, or to our team members in our cities. Our team can also receive the document and accompany its submission to the relevant office.
Tell us what you need in China
Our consultant reviews your needs for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
