# CNIPA's answers for foreign applicants

CNIPA's published replies for foreign applicants, translated: notarization, addresses, Chinese names, who receives official documents, and when an agency is required.

Canonical URL: https://ginbing.com/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-foreign-applicants
Markdown URL: https://ginbing.com/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-foreign-applicants/index.md

## TLDR

CNIPA's published replies on notarization, addresses, Chinese names, document recipients and when a foreign applicant must use an agency, in English.

## Guide

Replies CNIPA published to questions from foreign and Hong Kong applicants and owners, translated by Ginbing. Each reply links to its Chinese original on CNIPA's website.

## About these replies

- **Official source.** [Trademark registration questions](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpublist.do?sysid=13), the public column where CNIPA answers trademark questions. Each reply links to its official page.
- **Issued by.** CNIPA
- **CNIPA's dates.** Each reply shows the date CNIPA answered.
- **Checked against the official page.** November 6, 2026

> These are replies to individual questions. They are not rulings, and CNIPA decides each case on its own facts. The translations are Ginbing's own, not official, and Ginbing is not part of CNIPA. Only the Chinese text is official. The questions are Ginbing's short summaries; the asker's own words are on the official page. Greetings and contact details are left out, and long replies are shortened to the parts that answer the question.

> **Warning:** Each reply states the position on its date. Most cite the 2019 Trademark Law, and the [revised law](/docs/china-trademark/laws/trademark-law/2026) takes effect on January 1, 2027, with [some changed rules and article numbers](/docs/china-trademark/2027-trademark-law-changes). Fees and procedures can also change. Check the current rule before relying on an older reply.

## Must a Malaysian company using a Chinese agency notarize its proof of the applicant's status?

> Notarization is not mandatory, subject to examination of the specific case.
>
> [CNIPA reply of March 17, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=526338), translated by Ginbing

## Must a foreign applicant's documents for a geographical indication mark be authenticated?

> Authentication is required.

> For applications by foreign applicants to register a geographical indication as a certification mark or collective mark, the relevant materials generated abroad must go through authentication before they are submitted. These materials include: the proof of the applicant's status; proof that the geographical indication is legally protected as a geographical indication in its country of origin (which must make clear that the applicant is the right holder); proof that the applicant has obtained the right to supervise and manage the geographical indication; and proof of the applicant's inspection capability.

> If the foreign applicant is from a contracting state to the Apostille Convention (except contracting states that have objected to China's accession to the Convention), the above materials may be exempted from authentication, but the competent authority designated by that contracting state when it acceded to the Convention must issue an apostille for them.
>
> [CNIPA reply of October 12, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=546678), translated by Ginbing

## Must a foreign applicant's address match its proof of the applicant's status?

> Where the foreign applicant's attached proof of the applicant's status states a Chinese address, the "Applicant address (Chinese)" must match the Chinese address in that proof; where it does not state one, the applicant's Chinese address must match the translation of the proof of the applicant's status.

> The foreign applicant must at the same time fill in, in the "Applicant address (English)" field,

> the English address, which must match the address in the attached proof of the applicant's status or be an English translation of that address.
>
> [CNIPA reply of July 17, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=540673), translated by Ginbing

## Can a foreign applicant's Chinese name contain English letters?

> A foreign applicant's Chinese name must be fully translated into Chinese.
>
> [CNIPA reply of April 24, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=530478), translated by Ginbing

## Can the registration certificate of a foreign company's China office serve as an identity document?

> Where the applicant is a legal person or other organization, it must submit a copy of the registration certificate from its region or country. A copy of the registration certificate of a foreign company's office or resident representative office in China cannot serve as a copy of the identity document. Where the above documents are in a foreign language, a Chinese translation must be attached; if it is not attached, the document is treated as not submitted.
>
> [CNIPA reply of March 10, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=525774), translated by Ginbing

## Can a Hong Kong branch apply to register a trademark in its own name?

> In this situation, an application for trademark registration can be made as long as there is proof of the applicant's status.
>
> [CNIPA reply of May 10, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=430629), translated by Ginbing

## How can a foreigner with no fixed residence in China register a trademark?

> This situation requires appointing a recorded agency to handle it.
>
> [CNIPA reply of February 13, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=524428), translated by Ginbing

## What must a foreigner habitually resident in China submit to file without an agency?

> Foreigners with habitual residence in China may handle it themselves. Those filing in person at the trademark registration hall must submit the following documents: the Trademark Registration Application Form, filled in and printed as required and signed by the applicant; the trademark drawing; a copy of the applicant's identity document; and a copy of the Foreigner's Permanent Residence Permit issued by the public security authority or of a Foreigner's Residence Permit valid for one year or more.

> Foreigners with habitual residence in China may also file through the online trademark application system.
>
> [CNIPA reply of February 20, 2024](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=454379), translated by Ginbing

## Must a foreigner use an agency to apply for a trademark in China?

> Foreigners must appoint a lawfully established trademark agency to handle trademark application matters. Foreigners with habitual residence in China may handle them themselves.
>
> [CNIPA reply of December 14, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=450052), translated by Ginbing

## Must a Hong Kong company use an agency to renew, or to take an assignment from a mainland company?

> These situations require appointing a trademark agency to handle them.
>
> [CNIPA reply of September 27, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=443122), translated by Ginbing

## Must a Hong Kong company use an agency to file a license recordal?

> A Hong Kong company must appoint an agency to file a trademark license recordal application.
>
> [CNIPA reply of May 8, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=493142), translated by Ginbing

## Must a foreign company use an agency to replace a registration certificate?

> Where the applicant is a foreign legal person, please appoint an agency to handle it.
>
> [CNIPA reply of April 14, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=528733), translated by Ginbing

## Who receives non-use cancellation or invalidation notices for a foreign registrant's mark?

> Where the trademark registrant is foreign, delivery is to the recipient in China it has designated.

> If no recipient in China has yet been designated, or the recipient has changed, a change of document recipient must be filed promptly.
>
> [CNIPA reply of August 28, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=543764), translated by Ginbing

## Do response notices go to a foreign registrant's document recipient or its latest agency?

> Where the trademark registrant is foreign, delivery is to the recipient in China it has designated.

> Where the trademark registrant is foreign, if no recipient in China has yet been designated, or the recipient has changed, a change of document recipient must be filed promptly.
>
> [CNIPA reply of March 13, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=526142), translated by Ginbing

## Who receives response notices and the renewal certificate when an agency files the renewal?

> In cases such as non-use cancellation brought by a third party, where the registrant has not formally signed an agency appointment in the specific case, response notices and similar documents are delivered to the trademark registrant. If the registrant is domestic, they are delivered to its contact address registered with the Trademark Office; if the trademark registrant is foreign, they are delivered to the recipient in China it has designated.

> Where renewal is handled through an agency, the approval certificate is delivered to the agency.
>
> [CNIPA reply of July 3, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=538210), translated by Ginbing

## Can a foreign registrant change the agency on a registered trademark?

> A change of trademark agent means applying, after the applicant has filed a trademark registration application and before that application is approved for registration, to change the agency for that registration application. A registrant from China's Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan region, or a foreign registrant, that designates a document recipient in mainland China to receive later trademark legal documents (such as in non-use cancellation cases, cases to cancel a registered mark that has become a generic name, and invalidation cases) must file the relevant application to change the document recipient.

> To change the agent in cases such as non-use cancellation, opposition, non-registration review, refusal review and invalidation, a change-of-agent application must be filed directly with the department hearing that case.
>
> [CNIPA reply of August 4, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=541868), translated by Ginbing

## After registration, how can a registrant change where later documents are sent?

> A change of trademark agent applies only to changing the agent for the registration application. If receiving later documents is the concern, domestic applicants may change the contact person; registrants from China's Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan region and foreign registrants may change the document recipient.
>
> [CNIPA reply of August 28, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=440528), translated by Ginbing

## How does a foreign registrant change its Chinese name or address, and at what fee?

> File it as a change. Where a foreign company or foreigner needs to change only the Chinese name, a statement by that foreign company or foreigner applying to change the Chinese name must be provided as the supporting document for the change.

> Filing online is free.
>
> [CNIPA reply of August 21, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=543361), translated by Ginbing

## Can a Korean citizen whose passport expired switch the identity document to a resident card?

> A change application may be filed; the specific conclusion is subject to examination.
>
> [CNIPA reply of July 7, 2026](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=538425), translated by Ginbing

## Can an assignor whose passport number changed file change and assignment applications together?

> In this situation, change and assignment applications may be filed at the same time.
>
> [CNIPA reply of December 7, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=449416), translated by Ginbing

## Must a Korean company assigning a trademark seal the documents as well as sign?

> If the Korean company has a seal, it must apply the seal.
>
> [CNIPA reply of August 31, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=440992), translated by Ginbing

## When Japanese company B absorbs company A, how does A's trademark move, with what documents?

> This situation requires a trademark transfer.

> In this situation, it is enough to provide proof showing that Company A has been dissolved and absorbed by Company B through merger.

> Full-text translation is recommended.
>
> [CNIPA reply of August 28, 2023](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=440680), translated by Ginbing

## How does an heir answer non-use cancellation of a deceased registrant's mark, and what do the response and assignment need?

> The heir may simply respond during the assignment process.

> The assignment and the response may be filed at the same time.

> For the response: the registrant's death certificate, proof of the family relationship between the registrant and the heir, and the non-use cancellation response documents.

> For the assignment application: the registrant's death certificate, proof of the family relationship between the registrant and the heir, a copy of the heir's ID card or passport (with translation), and the notarized inheritance certificate or a court judgment.
>
> [CNIPA reply of February 8, 2025](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=485988), translated by Ginbing

## Is there an English version of the registration certificate?

> The registration certificate has no English version.
>
> [CNIPA reply of September 11, 2024](https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/jact/front/mailpubdetail.do?sysid=13&transactId=474363), translated by Ginbing

## Related pages

- [What you need to file](/docs/china-trademark/filing-requirements)
- [The local agent requirement](/docs/china-trademark/local-agent-requirement)
- [CNIPA: Application FAQ](/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-guide-application-faq)
- [CNIPA's 2019 to 2022 answers on foreign applicants' documents and names](/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-foreign-documents)
- [CNIPA's 2019 to 2022 answers for foreign trademark owners](/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-foreign-owners)
- [CNIPA's 2019 to 2022 answers on foreign owners' assignments and licenses](/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-foreign-assignment)
- [CNIPA's 2019 to 2022 answers on priority claims and Madrid marks](/docs/china-trademark/cnipa-answers-priority-and-madrid)