Fujian boosts quality and efficiency of foreign-related notarization to support high-level opening-up

Fujian province in East China has made multifaceted efforts in recent years to enhance the quality and efficiency of its foreign-related notary services. By improving the foreign-related notary service system, strengthening professional expertise, and innovating user-oriented service models, the province provides robust legal support to advance its high-level opening-up.

Enhancing connectivity to optimize service efficiency

In collaboration with its provincial foreign affairs department, Fujian has advanced foreign-related notarization through enhanced information exchange, data sharing and resource integration, as well as innovations in service mechanisms, driving new developments in the sector. Regular communication channels and collaboration mechanisms have been established to address emerging challenges in the application for and authentication of notarized documents, with the goal of improving service quality.

A notable initiative is the online verification portal launched by the Fujian Provincial Notary Association. Leveraging "Internet + Government Services," this portal significantly accelerates document verification processes. In recent years, nearly 4,000 foreign-related documents have been verified online through this system.

In addition, the province has implemented an integrated one-stop service model that allows applicants to complete notarization and consular authentication in a single step, greatly simplifying application procedures and improving the user experience. More than 50 notary institutions in the province have adopted this approach, handling over 200,000 authentication cases in recent years.

Expanding service scope to foster a high-quality business environment

To meet the growing demand for foreign-related notarization among enterprises, notary institutions across Fujian are precisely targeting the challenges faced by businesses and delivering high-quality services. Through a "notarization legal advisor" service model, notaries conduct on-site company visits, focusing on specific issues and providing tailored solutions.

More than 80 notary institutions in the province now cater to a wide range of needs, including shareholder meetings, equity transfers, financing, intellectual property protection, and commercial contracts. These efforts help foreign-related businesses mitigate legal risks, thereby fostering a more law-based business environment in Fujian.

Innovating service models to enhance notarization quality and efficiency

To better meet the public's needs for foreign-related notarization, Fujian's notary sector has deepened reforms aimed at enabling "one-time processing." Measures such as implementing a notarization document checklist, providing one-time full notification, and streamlining procedures have been adopted. Efforts to integrate notary services with internet technologies are ongoing, including the promotion of overseas remote video notarization. By leveraging modern technology, new service models, such as "online processing, immediate completion, and zero in-person visits," have been implemented.

In recent years, 11 notary institutions in the province have initiated remote video notarization, and over 50 have established green channels for foreign-related notarization. These include dedicated service windows, one-to-one consultations, door-to-door services, appointment-based processing, extended service hours, and conditional approval services allowing post-submission of non-critical documents. These innovations offer robust institutional support in notary services for enterprises expanding globally.