Ministry of foreign affairs certification means that before a foreign-related notarial certificate or commercial document issued in China is sent abroad for use, the document user country informs that the document user country can accept the document without consular certification in embassies and consulates in China, which is often called "single certification".

Embassy certification means that a country's diplomatic agency and its authorized agencies confirm the authenticity of the seal of the notary office or some special organs in the host country or the signature of the person in charge of the organ on foreign-related documents. The certified certificate has legal effect and can be recognized by the relevant bureau that uses the document. Embassy certification mainly includes civil certification and commercial certification, and civil certification, such as birth, education, income certificate, etc. Commercial certification, such as certificate of origin, proforma invoice, bill of lading, insurance policy, etc. Often referred to as "double authentication".