Apostille for Spain: FCDO Legalisation of UK Documents for Spanish Visas

What an apostille is

The FCDO Legalisation Office adds an apostille — a stamped, official certificate — to UK public documents. It goes on only after the office has checked the document’s signature or seal against the records it holds.

Which documents can be legalised

Legalisation applies where a UK public official issued the document, or where such an official — for example a UK notary or a solicitor — has certified it. Examples named on gov.uk are a contract, a power of attorney and a qualification certificate copy that a solicitor has certified.

Two types, both applied for online

There are two types, and the application for either is made online.

• Paper-based apostille — the documents go by post, or a registered business can bring them in person.
• e-Apostille — for a PDF document that a notary or solicitor in the UK has signed electronically.

Before applying, check with the authority in Spain that will receive the document: some receiving authorities want paper even though an e-Apostille is possible.

Documents that cannot have an e-Apostille

An e-Apostille cannot be obtained for birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates, adoption certificates, or other General Register Office documents. The same restriction covers ACRO police certificates and DBS certificates from England and Wales, as well as disclosure certificates from Scotland and Northern Ireland, and fingerprint certificates. These need the paper-based route.

Fees per document

The four services are priced as follows.

Paper-based applications also involve courier charges, and a document that cannot be legalised is not refunded.

How long each service takes