Apostille services in London

For a UK public document, an apostille is a stamped official certificate: the FCDO Legalisation Office checks the signature or seal against its records and then attaches the certificate.

What legalisation covers

A document can be legalised when a UK public official issued it, or when a UK notary or a solicitor has certified it. Typical examples are a contract or a power of attorney, and a qualification certificate copy that carries a solicitor’s certification.

Two types, applied for online

Applications for both types are made online.

• Paper-based: sent by post, or handed in in person by registered businesses.
• e-Apostille: an electronic version for a PDF that a UK notary or a solicitor has signed electronically.

What the e-Apostille cannot cover

No e-Apostille is available for:

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

For these documents, the paper-based apostille is the route to use.

Fees

For paper-based apostilles, courier costs come on top of the fee. A document that cannot be legalised is not refunded.

How long each service takes

Check with the receiving authority

Before choosing the electronic option, ask the receiving authority what it accepts: some want a paper document even though an e-Apostille is possible.