Which documents can be apostilled in the UK

An apostille is a stamped official certificate that the FCDO Legalisation Office attaches to a UK public document. Before attaching it, the office checks the signature or seal on the document against its own records. This page brings together what the gov.uk legalisation guidance confirms: which documents qualify, how the two application routes work, what each service costs and how long it takes.

Which documents can be legalised

A document can be legalised when it was issued by a UK public official, or when it has been certified by one, such as a UK notary or solicitor. The examples given on gov.uk are a power of attorney, a contract and a copy of a qualification certificate. The first question for any document is therefore who issued or certified it.

Longer category lists often quoted on apostille websites — specific certificate types, company records, court papers, medical documents — go beyond what this gov.uk guidance states. If a document is not clearly covered by the issued-or-certified rule above, check with the FCDO Legalisation Office before paying for anything.

Two ways to apply

Both types of apostille are applied for online.

• Paper-based apostille. The certificate is attached to the physical document. Applications go by post, or can be made in person for registered businesses.
• e-Apostille. The document is a PDF signed electronically by a UK notary or solicitor.

Documents that cannot get an e-Apostille

You cannot get an e-Apostille for:

• birth, death, marriage, civil partnership and adoption certificates, and other General Register Office documents
• ACRO police certificates (England and Wales)
• DBS certificates (England and Wales)
• disclosure certificates (Scotland and Northern Ireland)
• fingerprint certificates

These documents fall outside the electronic route, so the paper-based process is the one that applies to them.

Fees per document

Courier costs apply to paper-based apostilles. If a document cannot be legalised, there is no refund.

How long each service takes

Before you apply

• Check that your document was issued by a UK public official or certified by a UK notary or solicitor.
• Choose between the paper-based and e-Apostille routes, keeping the e-Apostille exclusions in mind.
• Ask the receiving authority whether they want a paper-based apostille even when an e-Apostille exists — some authorities do.
• Remember that courier costs apply to paper applications and that a document that cannot be legalised gets no refund.