Using an apostilled ACRO certificate for Ukrainian citizenship and visa applications

For an ACRO certificate from England and Wales, the e-Apostille cannot be issued, so the paper-based apostille is the option that applies.

What an apostille is

An apostille is an official certificate in stamp form, added to UK public documents by the FCDO’s Legalisation Office. Before the stamp goes on, the office checks the document’s signature or seal against its own records.

A document can be legalised when a UK public official issued it, or when an official such as a notary or a solicitor in the UK has certified it. Typical examples include a contract, a power of attorney and a qualification certificate copy that a solicitor has certified.

Two apostille types, both applied for online

There are two types of apostille, and applications for both are made online.

• e-Apostille: the electronic version, available for a PDF that a UK notary or a solicitor has signed electronically.
• Paper-based apostille: a physical certificate. You post the document, or bring it in person as a registered business.

Documents the e-Apostille does not cover

An e-Apostille cannot be obtained for:

• certificates of birth, death or marriage, civil partnership or adoption, and any other General Register Office document;
• ACRO police certificates issued in England and Wales;
• DBS certificates from England and Wales;
• fingerprint certificates;
• disclosure certificates issued in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

For a document on this list, the paper-based process is the route to use.

Fees and delivery

Fees per document:

Courier charges relate to the paper-based routes, and no refund is given when a document cannot be legalised.

How long each option takes

What the receiving authority wants

Some authorities want a paper document even when the e-Apostille route exists, so find out what the receiving authority requires before you apply.