What Is an Apostille? Meaning, Apostille Stamp and Hague Convention in the UK

What is an apostille: the meaning behind the stamp

An apostille is a stamped official certificate attached to a UK public document by the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The office attaches it after checking the signature or seal on the document against its records.

What “legalised” means

A document is legalised when it was issued by a UK public official or certified by one, such as a UK notary or solicitor. Documents of this kind include a power of attorney, a contract, and a certified copy of a qualification certificate.

Two types, both applied for online

You apply for both types online:

• Paper-based apostille — the document is handled by post, or in person for registered businesses.
• e-Apostille — a PDF signed electronically by a UK notary or solicitor.

The e-Apostille is not available for every document, so check the restrictions below before choosing a format.

Documents that cannot receive an e-Apostille

You cannot get an e-Apostille for:

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

These documents need the paper-based route.

Fees and how long it takes

The fee is charged per document, and each service has its own usual processing time:

Check what the receiving authority accepts

Even when an e-Apostille exists for your document, check whether the receiving authority will accept it: some want a paper-based apostille instead.

FAQ

What does an apostille confirm? It is a stamped official certificate attached by the FCDO Legalisation Office after checking the document’s signature or seal against its records.

Which documents can be legalised? Documents issued by a UK public official or certified by one, such as a UK notary or solicitor — for example, a power of attorney, a contract, or a certified copy of a qualification certificate.

What is the difference between a paper-based apostille and an e-Apostille? The paper-based apostille is applied for online and handled by post, or in person for registered businesses. An e-Apostille is a PDF signed electronically by a UK notary or solicitor. Some documents — including General Register Office certificates, ACRO police certificates and DBS certificates — cannot get an e-Apostille at all.

Is there a refund if the document cannot be legalised? No.

A note on scope

This page covers only what is confirmed on gov.uk as of 22 October 2026. Questions it does not answer here — for example, which countries accept a UK apostille — should be checked on gov.uk before you apply.

This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Apostilles for UK public documents are attached by the FCDO Legalisation Office; this site is not affiliated with any government body.