The authentication process takes two steps:

1. Your government authenication

2. Chinese Consulate/Embassy Authentication.

If you are from USA, generally speaking, you get your No criminal record directly from your local police office. No notarization is needed

You bring your Degree and No criminal record to the Office, Secretary of State, where your documents (degree and no criminal record) are authenticated.

Then you take both to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate to get them Authenticated again.

However, even if in USA, NJ is different from other states.

Wherever you live, please contact your local government or Chinese Embassy/Consulate for information, or visit the website for more information, or you can make a phone call to get instruction.