Legalising Malaysian Documents for Macau
Short answer: Macau uses apostilles, but Malaysia is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so a Malaysian document cannot carry one. Macau's Public Security Police (PSP), which handles stay and residence permits, says documents issued outside mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan need "diplomatic authentication" by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the issuing country, or consular authentication. For Malaysia that means Wisma Putra first, then the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The PSP also accepts these documents only if they were issued or authenticated within the last six months.
We handle it for you: notarisation, Wisma Putra, the Chinese Embassy, and translations into English, Traditional Chinese or Portuguese. Send your document on WhatsApp for a quote.
Last reviewed: October 2026. For translation rules, see certified translation of Malaysian documents for Macau.
Step by step
Check the six-month window. The PSP accepts documents from outside mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan only if they were issued or authenticated within the last six months, under article 28 of Decree-Law 5/98/M. Plan the legalisation close to your application date.
Start with the original or a certified copy. Private documents such as declarations, powers of attorney and company resolutions are signed before a notary public first.
Attest it at Wisma Putra. Wisma Putra confirms the Malaysian signature or seal. Its fee is RM 20 for civil-status, notarised and Certificate of Good Conduct documents, and RM 10 for translations, certified true copies and school certificates.
Authenticate it at the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. This is the PSP's "diplomatic authentication". The embassy endorses Wisma Putra's stamp, so Wisma Putra comes first. See our guide to Chinese Embassy legalisation.
Translate it if it is in Malay, and legalise the translation too. The PSP accepts Chinese, Portuguese or English. A translation made in Malaysia by a professional translator needs its own authentication; see translation for Macau.
What the PSP asks for, by document
Marriage certificate (for family members of non-resident workers): the original marriage certificate, authenticated.
Birth, adoption and death certificates: issued by the competent authority and authenticated, within six months.
Criminal record (for the place you last lived): a national criminal record certificate, authenticated, within six months. For Malaysia, that is the Certificate of Good Conduct.
Single, divorce or widowhood proof (for de facto relationships): official documents from the place of origin, authenticated, within six months.
Other Macau offices, such as banks, employers, universities and courts, set their own rules. Ask them before you start, and send us their written instructions.
Malaysian documents that often need legalising for Macau
Birth and marriage certificates from JPN, for family members joining a worker in Macau.
The Certificate of Good Conduct, for work and residence applications.
Degrees and transcripts, for jobs and further study.
Death certificates, divorce orders and grants of probate, for family and estate matters.
Powers of attorney and company documents, for property, banking and business.
What delays documents
A document issued or authenticated more than six months before the application.
Going to the Chinese Embassy before Wisma Putra.
A Malay document sent without a Chinese, Portuguese or English translation, or with a translation that was not authenticated.
A photocopy shown without the original; the PSP checks copies against originals.
A name spelled differently on the passport, the certificates and the translation.
中文說明（澳門）
澳門適用《海牙認證公約》，但馬來西亞並非締約國，因此馬來西亞文件無法辦理海牙認證（Apostille）。根據澳門治安警察局的《證明文件接納標準》，中國內地、香港及台灣以外簽發的文件須辦理「外交認證」（由中國駐當地使領館認證）或「領事認證」，並須於簽發或認證日起計未逾 6 個月。在馬來西亞，即先經外交部（Wisma Putra）認證，再由中國駐馬來西亞大使館認證。非中文、葡文或英文的文件須附譯本；在當地由專業翻譯員翻譯的譯本亦須辦理認證。
Informação em português (Macau)
Macau aplica a Convenção da Apostila, mas a Malásia não é parte, pelo que um documento malaio não pode ser apostilado. Segundo o Corpo de Polícia de Segurança Pública, os documentos emitidos fora do Interior da China, de Hong Kong e de Taiwan devem ser autenticados pela Embaixada ou Consulado da China no país emissor, ou por via consular, e emitidos ou autenticados há menos de seis meses. Na Malásia, o documento é primeiro autenticado no Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros (Wisma Putra) e depois na Embaixada da China em Kuala Lumpur.
Common questions
Can I get an apostille on a Malaysian document for Macau?
No. Malaysia is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so Malaysian offices do not issue apostilles. Wisma Putra attestation followed by Chinese Embassy authentication takes its place.
How recent must my documents be for Macau?
For the PSP, issued or authenticated within the last six months. Legalise close to your application date, or get a fresh certificate if yours is old.
Is Macau legalisation the same as for mainland China?
The Malaysian steps are the same: Wisma Putra, then the Chinese Embassy. The PSP adds the six-month rule and also accepts English. Going to Hong Kong instead? See legalisation for Hong Kong.
Related guides
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