Full vs Short Ukrainian Criminal Record Extract

An apostille is a stamped official certificate. The Legalisation Office of the FCDO attaches it to UK public documents once the signature or seal has been checked against its records.

What legalisation covers

A document can be legalised when a UK public official issued it, or when such an official — for example a UK notary or a solicitor — certified it. Gov.uk gives these examples: a contract, a power of attorney and a qualification certificate copy.

The two apostille types

Both are applied for online.

• Paper-based apostille: apply online, then send the document by post. Registered businesses can also hand it in.
• e-Apostille: an electronic version for a PDF that a UK notary or a solicitor has signed electronically.

Ask the receiving authority which format it wants before you apply: some want paper even where an e-Apostille exists.

Criminal record certificates that cannot go electronic

An e-Apostille is not available for:

• life-event certificates — births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships and adoptions — and any other General Register Office document;
• ACRO police certificates (England and Wales);
• DBS certificates (England and Wales);
• disclosure certificates (Scotland and Northern Ireland);
• fingerprint certificates.

Each of these has to go through the paper-based apostille.

Fees

Per document:

Courier charges apply to the paper-based options. If a document cannot be legalised, no refund is given.

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