Apostille and Certified Translation in the UK

An apostille is an official certificate, applied as a stamp, that the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) puts on a UK public document. Before attaching it, the office checks the document’s signature or seal against the records it holds.

Which documents can be legalised

A document is legalised when a UK public official issued it, or when such an official — for example a notary or solicitor in the UK — certified it. Examples on gov.uk include powers of attorney, contracts and certified copies of qualification certificates.

Two application routes

Both routes begin with an online application.

• Paper-based: the document goes by post; registered businesses can also hand it in person.
• e-Apostille: a PDF that a notary or solicitor in the UK has signed electronically.

Documents excluded from the e-Apostille

No e-Apostille can be issued for:

• certificates of birth, death, marriage, civil partnership or adoption, 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.

Such documents can only go through the paper-based route.

Fees per document

Courier charges apply to paper-based applications. If a document cannot be legalised, the fee is not refunded.

How long each route takes

Check the receiving authority first

Even when an e-Apostille is possible, some receiving authorities still want the paper-based version. Confirm what the authority expects before choosing a route.