Apostille for the USA from the UK

If an American authority has asked you to legalise a UK public document, the office that matters is the FCDO Legalisation Office. The apostille it attaches is, in gov.uk’s description, a stamped official certificate: the office checks the signature or seal against the records it holds and then fastens the certificate to the document.

Documents that can be legalised

A document can be legalised when a UK public official issued it, or when that official has certified it — a UK notary or a solicitor, for example. The examples gov.uk gives are a contract, a power of attorney, or a qualification certificate copy.

Two routes, both online

You apply for either type of apostille online. The paper-based apostille is posted, or brought in person by registered businesses. The e-Apostille is a PDF that a UK notary or a solicitor has signed electronically.

What the e-Apostille does not cover

Some documents can never take the electronic route. gov.uk rules out General Register Office papers — birth and death certificates, marriage or civil partnership certificates, adoption certificates, and any other document the office holds. Also excluded are ACRO police certificates (England and Wales), DBS certificates (England and Wales), plus disclosure certificates (Scotland and Northern Ireland), and fingerprint certificates. For these, the paper-based apostille is the option that remains.

Fees per document

How long each service takes

Paper or digital for a US authority

Before choosing a format, check what the receiving authority in the USA wants. gov.uk notes that some want paper even though an e-Apostille exists, so ask that question before you pay for either route.