China-Appointed Attesting Officer Hong Kong: find a CAAO

A China-Appointed Attesting Officer (CAAO) is a Hong Kong lawyer appointed by the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China to attest documents from Hong Kong for use in the Chinese Mainland. If a Mainland body asks for a Hong Kong document to be attested by a China-appointed attesting officer, a notary public or a solicitor without that appointment will not do. You can find and check officers on the Law Society’s List of China-Appointed Attesting Officers.

What a CAAO does

The Department of Justice describes China-appointed attesting officers as qualified Hong Kong lawyers appointed by the Ministry of Justice of the PRC after passing the prescribed qualifying examinations. Their scope of business includes attesting and certifying acts, matters and documents of legal significance that occur in or come from Hong Kong, and the attested documents are for use in the Mainland.

The Department says there were about 500 China-appointed attesting officers in Hong Kong as of 1 December 2023, and that the Association of China-Appointed Attesting Officers maintains their name-list.

When you might need one

The Mainland body that will receive the document decides what it needs. Government procedures can also require it. For example, the Trade and Industry Department’s procedures for Hong Kong Service Supplier certificates under CEPA ask for some documents, such as a statutory declaration or copies of identification documents, to be attested by a China-appointed attesting officer recognised by the Mainland. Always ask the receiving body, in writing, exactly which documents need attestation and in what form.

CAAO, notary or solicitor

Being a solicitor does not make someone a CAAO, and neither does being a notary. For documents going abroad rather than to the Mainland, read our guide to notaries public in Hong Kong.

How to find and check a CAAO

1. Get the requirement in writing from the Mainland body: which documents, whether originals or copies, and any wording it expects.
2. Search the Law Society list. The Society compiles the CAAO list from information supplied to it by the Association of China-Appointed Attesting Officers Limited, and publishes it to help the public and its members identify and locate officers.
3. Confirm the officer practises in a law firm. The Law Society says a solicitor who is not practising in a law firm is not eligible to provide attesting service.
4. Check the solicitor and the firm on the Law List. Search Members with Practising Certificate and compare the firm’s details. Our Law List guide explains how.
5. Ask about cost and timing in writing. Ask what the fee covers, what identification and original documents to bring, and how long it will take.

Common mistakes

• Using a notary public for a document the Mainland body wants attested by a CAAO.
• Assuming any solicitor on the Law List can attest. Only listed officers practising in a law firm can.
• Relying on a title on a website or business card without checking the Law Society list.
• Starting before the receiving body has confirmed what it needs.
• Relying on an old printout or a name passed on by someone else. Search the live list each time.
• Confusing a Mainland-qualified lawyer with a CAAO. The CAAO list is the record of who holds the appointment.

ranked.hk is not the Law Society, the Department of Justice or the Association of China-Appointed Attesting Officers, and this page is not legal advice. You can compare Hong Kong solicitor firms in our law directory, written from each firm’s own website, then check any named officer on the official list. If something goes wrong with a solicitor acting as your lawyer, see how to complain to the Law Society.