e-Apostille in the UK: how the electronic apostille works

An apostille is an official certificate: the FCDO Legalisation Office stamps it onto a UK public document once the signature or seal has been checked against the records the office keeps.

A document counts as legalised when a UK public official issued it or when such an official — for example a notary or solicitor from the UK — certified it. Examples named on gov.uk include a contract, a power of attorney and a qualification certificate that a solicitor has certified.

The two formats

An online application is used for either type:

• Paper-based: the document is posted, or a registered business brings it in person.
• e-Apostille: a PDF that a UK solicitor or notary has signed electronically.

Where the e-Apostille is not available

The electronic format cannot be used for:

• marriage, birth, death, civil partnership or adoption certificates, along with anything else the General Register Office issued;
• fingerprint certificates;
• disclosure certificates from Scotland and Northern Ireland;
• ACRO police certificates issued in England and Wales;
• DBS certificates from England and Wales.

Any document in these categories has to go through the paper-based process instead.

Costs

Costs per document are:

Courier charges relate only to paper-based apostilles, and a document that cannot be legalised brings no refund.

Timing

What to confirm in advance

Before choosing the electronic format, find out whether the receiving authority expects paper even if an e-Apostille exists.