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Documents we can legalise

You can get certain official UK documents ‘legalised’ by submitting them to us.


You might need to do this if an official in another country has asked you to provide a UK document and they’ve said it must be legalised.


The Legalisation Office will check the document and see if any signatures, stamps or seals match their own records. If they do match, they’ll legalise the document by attaching an ‘apostille’ (stamped official certificate).

Binder and Files

You can get a UK document with the signature, stamp or seal of a UK public official legalised. You may need to send your document in a particular format eg an original not a photocopy

01

Education Certificates

For legalization, make sure all education certificates are certified and dated by a UK solicitor, notary public, or an official from the British Council. If you opt for British Council certification, it must be for an original educational qualification certificate. As availability may vary, we recommend confirming with your local British Council office.

02

Photocopies

Ensure that any photocopies of documents for legalization are certified by a UK solicitor or notary public. However, please note that the FCDO does not accept photocopies of UK birth, death, marriage, civil partnership, or adoption certificates. Additionally, photocopies of police or disclosure certificates issued by ACRO, Disclosure Scotland, Access NI, or DBS are also not accepted under any circumstances

03

Medical Documents

When submitting a document signed by a medical practitioner, it's important to include their contact details, such as an email address, within the document. This allows the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) to verify their signature. Additionally, ensure that the medical practitioner is registered with the FCDO for the verification process.

04

Marriage Certificates

When submitting an original marriage certificate signed by a Minister of Religion or an Authorised Person, please include contact details for the signatory or the location of the ceremony, including an email address. This is crucial for the FCDO to verify the signature, if needed.

05

A printout of electronic documents 

Ensure that any printouts of electronic documents, derived from the original PDF or other electronic formats, are certified by UK solicitor or notary public in the UK.

  • Do you prefer us to handle the original document, or would you like us to process a copy of the document?
    Certain documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, and criminal record checks, can only receive the apostille on the original document. In contrast, academic documents, for example, can have the apostille on a copy. When placing an online order, we'll inquire about your preference. We refrain from stamping an original document without your explicit permission. If you choose the original option, it's imperative to send us the original document to prevent delays in processing while we request it from you. For academic documents, legalizing the original may result in slight damage or defacement as the solicitor certification and legalization are stamped and signed on the actual document. We make an effort to do this on the back of the document when possible, but visibility on the front may still occur. Opting for a copy avoids potential damage to a valuable original document. If you select the 'Other' option, please specify your order requirements in the document details section during checkout to prevent any delays. If it's unclear what is needed, it could hinder the order process. If you're unsure about which version of the document requires the apostille, kindly confirm with the person or authority requesting your document.
  • Is the apostille considered official?
    The apostille is an official document acknowledged in all members of The Hague Convention and several other countries. Issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, situated in Milton Keynes, it is no longer accessible to the general public for in-person visits. However, the FCDO continues to handle orders submitted by post. As a recognized service provider, we are authorized to hand-deliver documents to the FCDO daily, ensuring a secure and expedited apostille service
  • What does the apostille certificate entail?
    The apostille certificate is a compact document, measuring approximately 15cm wide by 17cm long. It is affixed to recognized UK documents intended for official use overseas. Serving as confirmation, the apostille validates the authenticity of official signatures or seals on the attached document. In accordance with international law, many countries have mutually agreed to issue and accept apostilles from each other, facilitating the smoother cross-border movement of documents. We can procure the apostille for most UK documents within just 1-2 days
  • Can the apostille be guaranteed?
    We ensure the issuance of the apostille on any authentic UK document that is accurately presented. In the event that your document lacks the proper signature, stamp, or certification, we will collaborate with you, offering assistance or advice to facilitate the legalization process. If, for any reason, we are unable to issue the apostille on your document, we guarantee a refund of the apostille fee
  • What does embassy attestation involve?
    Embassy attestation becomes necessary when your document is intended for use in a country not part of the Hague Convention. In countries that have adopted the Hague Convention, which simplifies the process through apostille certificates, embassy attestation is not required. You can refer to a list of countries accepting apostille certificates by clicking here. Completing full embassy attestation can be a complex procedure, and it is crucial to ensure proper document preparation. Our comprehensive embassy attestation service is available to assist you in this process.
  • What are the reasons for utilizing the apostille service?
    We simplify the process of document legalization. Opting for our apostille and embassy attestation service is the fastest and easiest method to legalize your documents for international use. With secure hand processing of your documents and reliable courier services, we coordinate with solicitors, the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, and numerous embassies in London. We handle all the necessary tasks, and our charges include all associated costs.
  • What is the process for ordering an apostille?
    Go to our legalisation store Send us your documents Received your documents back If you need any additional information or assistance just contact us
  • What are the procedures for submitting my documents?
    Given the importance of your documents, we strongly advise customers to utilize a guaranteed or secure delivery method when sending documents to our office. Royal Mail provides a special delivery option, while other UK courier firms offer next-day or signed-for delivery choices. If you opt for normal first-class post, please be aware that tracking missing documents is not possible, and there is no insurance coverage. When we return documents, we recommend clients select one of our courier delivery options
  • What is the processing time for obtaining the apostille?
    Our goal is to finalize all orders within approximately 1-2 working days. While delays may occasionally occur, especially if documents are not prepared correctly or the signatory is unknown to the FCDO, a team member will contact you to confirm any potential delays and provide guidance on how to proceed. Processing times are influenced by when the documents reach our office and the accuracy of document preparation. In cases of urgent orders, we recommend clients use a guaranteed postal service when sending documents to expedite the process and minimize postal transit times.
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