Documents and apostille

Apostille at the High Court, certified copies of degrees, and the certificate of no criminal conviction.

Apostille from the High Court

Hong Kong is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (HCCH status table). Apostilles are issued by the Apostille Service Office, High Court Registry, LG1/F, High Court Building, 38 Queensway (Judiciary):

• Fee HK$125 per apostille, plus HK$15.50 if it is returned by registered overseas mail.
• Normally ready in 2 working days; overseas postal applications take about 2 weeks. Postal payment by HKD bank draft.
• Covers public documents signed by officials whose signatures are on record, for example birth, marriage and death certificates, the Certificate of Absence of Marriage Record and business registration documents, and documents signed by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths.

Degrees and school certificates

University and school certificates are not signed by officials on record. The usual way is a certified true copy by a Notary Public, which then gets an apostille. Notaries can also use the electronic apostille (e-Apostille) (Judiciary). Whether every German authority accepts the e-Apostille was not confirmed; ask first.

Visa applications

For the visa itself the Consulate wants originals plus one copy; documents not in German or English need a translation. Each checklist says whether an apostille is needed.

Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC)

Hong Kong Police issue it only on request of an authority, and the Consulate issues the supporting letter only for visa or immigration applications, adoption or study abroad; other purposes (for example naturalisation) are refused (Consulate). Ask the Police beforehand whether a Consulate letter is needed. For Germany (Consulate):

1. When a German authority asks for it, book an appointment at the Consulate and bring your passport, HKID, proof of address and the German authority's request letter. The Consulate issues a supporting letter, usually the same day, for about HK$310.
2. Apply to Hong Kong Police in Wan Chai. Fee HK$340. The Police FAQ gives 15 calendar days for online and 28 for in-person applications; the Consulate mentions 4 to 6 weeks (Police FAQ). Since 1 January 2026 applicants outside Hong Kong can apply only online at es.police.gov.hk; iAM Smart serves only for login and appointments (Police).
3. The certificate is sent to the Consulate, not to you; you collect it there in person. Applicants receive no copy (Police FAQ).