In order to open a WFOE (wholly foreign owned enterprise) in China I
am required to present to Chinese authorities some paperwork called
'certification of legal status'.  What exactly is this document and
where in the U.S. can I obtain it?

---

Clarification of Question by laohutaile-ga on 30 Nov 2006 11:30 PST

What is a 'certificate of legal status', needed to start a
foreign-owned business in the P.R. China?

I want to start a W.F.O.E. (wholly foreign owned enterprise) in the
People's Republic of China. One of the paperwork requirements is some
official document from the U.S. They refer to it as a 'certification
of legal status'. What exactly is this document and where in the U.S.
can I obtain it?

Here is a good overview of the process for starting up a WFO in China:


http://lunaticwisdom.com/blog1/2006/11/24/detailed-joint-venture-start-up-checklist-adaptable-for-wholly-owned-foreign-enterprises/


As for certifying your legal status, this appears to be up to the
local authorities in China to whom you submit your paperwork.  If you
are incorporated in the US -- that is, registered with a state
Secreatry of State --that would probably be your best source of
obtaining a statement of your legal status.

For instance, using New York State as an example, the following
documents are available for a given coproration:


http://www.dos.state.ny.us/CORP/busfile.html
BUSINESS CORPORATION FILINGS 



I would suggest that the "Certificate of Incorporation" would serve as
your best bet for certifying your legal status to local Chinese
authorities.

Best of luck,

pafalafa-ga