Recently, many foreign friends ask what kind of materials can be used to prove their relationship with Chinese nationals when they apply for an entry visa to visit relatives or change their visa to a reunion visa in China?
近期很多外籍朋友在办理入境探亲签证，或者持有签证在国内变更为团聚签证类型的时候，都会问到，哪种材料才算是可以证明与中国籍关系人？
How can foreigners prove their kinship with their immediate family members of Chinese nationality? What certificates can be used for handling?
外国人怎么证明与中国籍直系亲属的亲属关系？可用于什么证件办理？
Birth certificate (notarization of relationship): the birth certificate can be used by foreigners to prove their kinship when they apply for a family visit visa, a residence permit for family reunion, a green card for parents and children, a travel permit and a registered permanent residence at home and abroad through their Chinese immediate family members (such as parents, children, parents in law, parents in law, grandparents, etc.). Overseas birth certificates and / or relationship certificates can be used in China only after they are certified by the Embassy at Level 3.
出生证明（关系公证）：出生纸可用于外籍人士在境内外通过中国籍直系亲属（如父母、子女、家公家婆、岳父岳母、爷爷奶奶、外公外婆等），在办理探亲签证、团聚居留许可、亲子类绿卡、旅行证以及上户口的时候，证明其亲属关系。而海外的出生纸/或者关系证明则需进行大使馆三级认证才能在国内使用。
Specific uses of birth paper
出生纸的具体用途
1. For registered permanent residence: the citizenship system implements the principle of landing. Babies born abroad automatically recognize foreign citizens, and children who have not yet joined foreign nationality can return home and settle down
1、用于上户口：公民制度实行的是落地原则，在国外出生的宝宝，自动承认国外公民，尚未加入国外国籍的孩子，是可以回国落户的
2. For school: in China, children need to provide birth certificates to go to school
2、用于上学：在国内孩子上学都是需要提供出生证明的
3. For visa extension: for children returning home to visit their relatives for tourism, etc., when the visa expires, the birth certificate is required for visa extension
3、用于签证延期：孩子回国探亲旅游等，签证到期办理签证延期是需要提供出生证明的
4. Used for one-time entry-exit pass
4、用于办理一次性出入境通行证
5. It is used to apply for foster care and foster the child in the home of relatives and friends in China. It is necessary to provide a birth certificate (the following takes the United States as an example)
5、用于办理寄养，把孩子寄养在国内的亲友家中，是需要提供出生证明（以下以美国为例）
Three steps for notarization and certification of overseas birth certificate
海外出生证公证认证办理的三个步骤
Step 1: entrust a local notary to notarize the birth certificate
第一步：委托当地的公证员对出生证进行公证
Step 2: send the notarized documents to the U.S. Secretary of state and the Ministry of foreign affairs for authentication
第二步：把公证好之后的文件送往美国州务卿外交部办理认证
Step 3: send the documents to the Chinese Embassy and consulate in the United States for certification
第三步：把文件送往中国驻美国使领馆办理认证
All procedures for overseas birth certificate certification are verified at the place of birth. If the person is in China, and the person concerned is not familiar with the handling organization and the specific procedures, the normal use of the documents will be delayed. In addition, if the person handles it in person, the acceptance time will be delayed.
海外出生证认证所有手续都在出生地进行认证，如果人在国内，当事人又不熟悉办理机构，以及办理的具体手续，导致办理出错等都会耽误文件正常使用，此外个人亲自办理，受理时间将会延搁。
It is suggested that the applicant may entrust a professional institution to handle the application, so as to avoid that the documents handled do not meet the certification requirements required at the time of application. At present, the cycle of embassy certification is expected to be 6-8 weeks.
建议申请人可以委托专业机构进行办理，以免办理的文件不符合申请时候需要的认证要求。目前办理使馆认证周期预计为6-8周。
However, when preparing for document certification, many foreigners are difficult to distinguish the difference between document certification and blind search for a third-party organization for certification, which finally leads to the fact that the certified documents do not meet the certification requirements for handling residence permits.Unable to obtain a long-term residence permit and face the risk of leaving the country!
但很多外籍人士在准备文件的认证时，难以分清楚文件认证区别，盲目寻找了第三方机构进行认证，最后导致认证的文件不符合办理居留许可的认证规定。无法办理到长期居留许可而面临出境的风险！
Therefore, when handling the certification of documents, first of all, it is necessary to communicate with the third-party organization to clarify the purpose, and ensure that the third-party organization has relevant experience in handling this business, so as to avoid more detours.
所以在办理文件的认证时候，首先需要跟第三方机构进行沟通明确用途，并且确保第三方机构有办理此业务的相关经验，避免较多的弯路。
Materials required for family visit visa application:
探亲签证申请所需材料：
1.Valid passport
1.有效护照
2.Passport, residence booklet and identity document of related person;
2.关系人的护照及户口本证件及身份证件等；
3.Kinship Certificate (marriage certificate certification, birth certificate certification, relationship notarization, etc.)
3.亲属关系证明（结婚证认证、出生纸认证、关系公证等）
4.Other required materials, etc
4.其他所需材料等
Materials required for application for residence permit for reunion:
团聚居留许可申请所需材料：
1.Provide the identity and registered residence certificate of Chinese relatives (ID card, household register, etc.)
1.提供中国亲属的身份及户籍证明（身份证、户口本等）
2.Provide proof of relationship with Chinese relatives (birth certificate, notarial certificate of relationship, etc.)
2.提供与中国亲属的关系证明（出生证明、关系公证书等）
3.Other required materials, etc
3.其他所需材料等
