Thanks Quester. We've looked at both options but at the end of the day, we still have to apply for a 'Permanent' visa for my fiancee to live in Australia. Basically, there are only 2 options: a 'Prospective Marriage Visa' or a 'Partner Visa'. Both applications require the exact same documentation. The 'Marriage Visa' will allow my fiancee to live and work in Oz, allowing us to marry and then apply for permanent residence while in Australia.

Re: emailing the embassy. Funny story that - I recently sent a 2 page letter requesting information and advice (after downloading and reading through all the requirements) and received a 3 sentence reply simply stating there's no pre-assessment assistance and that it's the applicant's sole responsibility to supply all relevant documents. Thanks guys!

Anyway, I've sent an email today requesting information on certifying in China, so I'll wait and see what they say.

@Quester - thankyou. Informative and I'll look into it. I did call them, but after 33 minutes on hold, I figured they can get stuffed and I'd look for help elsewhere (P.S. it's not the first time I've had issues with the Australian embassies in China - they are useless!). Re: Marriage in China - pretty much the same detailed requirements. We'd prefer to get married in Australia though, so are pursuing that avenue anyway. We've already arranged a marriage consultant in Australia and have hired a marriage visa agent to assist in the whole matter - they have been very helpful and will take care of 'most' things. Unfortunately, it's still our responsibilty to provide all documents and they need to be certified. Thus my current dilemma.

@tigertiger - thanks again mate but we're not getting married in China. Yes, I need to get a NOIM (notice of intent to marry) form from my government as well as a NIM (no impediment to marriage). To obtain both documents I need to provide 'certifiied' copies of an acceptable form of identification. My fiancee, although previously married, does have the supporting documents which we also need to have translated and certified. Thus my current dilemma.

At the end of the day this is all just beaurocratic BS (and probably a test of one's commitment). Still, a man (or woman) has to do what they have to do! :-)

Thanks tigertiger. Appreciate your input!

Yes it seems the only way to go is through the embassy - that's the only channel for certifying in China that I've been able to find so far. They certainly don't make it easy. It would seem I have to go to Guangzhou (my nearest embassy) or mail (not sure if they'll accept that) just to get a copy of my passport certified so as I can apply for my birth certificate, which I'll then have to get certified along with our other documents! (I'm getting dizzy jumping through all these hoops!)

My fiancee is having similar difficulties - she was born in a small, rural village in Yunnan but has no 'official' record of her birth. We've been told we need to supply a (translated) copy of her Hu Kou and BC. Hmm - fun and games!

Anyway, we are determined to see this through, so we'll keep at it!

A little help please.

I'm an Australian citizen intending to marry a Chinese local. We're in the process of applying for a 'prospective marriage visa' to go to Australia. The issues we are having are two-fold:

1. Does anyone know where we can get Chinese documents reliably translated into English here in Kunming?

2. Can a Chinese official legally certify Australian documents? If so, where can we have this done in Kunming (if possible)?

In order to submit the application for visa, we need to provide certified copies of all relevant documents.

I am required to submit a certified copy of my birth certificate which I don't have. I can apply for one on-line via the appropriate B.D.M. registry but I have to provide certified identification (and around and around I go!).

I have read the other forums on this topic (from 2012 and 2010) but couldn't really find a straight answer (i.e. Point 2 above). I have checked the embassy web-sites but apart from them stating that 'they' can certify documents (originals only), I couldn't find any reference to whether anybody other than the embassies could do this in China. Most frustrating!

If anybody has any relevant (and hopefully helpful) information or links to where I could get the information myself, I'd sincerely appreciate hearing from you.

Otherwise, it seems I'm off to Guangzhou! Not preferable!

@ Sikaote. I too have a permament resident visa; it expires on July 15 (from Qingdao). I rang the PSB yesterday asking about changing to a tourist visa - they told me I have to leave the country to get one - Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Macau or HongKong - all will serve the purpose. Just be prepared to travel (Unless your Z visa is from KM?). You can ring them - they do speak English.