An Apostille is an official certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) that confirms the authenticity of a document for use abroad in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Most UK-issued documents can be apostilled, including birth and marriage certificates, academic qualifications, criminal record certificates, company documents, powers of attorney, and other official or legal documents.

If your document is being used in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an Apostille is usually sufficient. If the destination country is not a member, embassy or consular attestation will be required instead.

Processing times vary depending on the document type and service level. Standard and express Apostille services are available, with faster turnaround options for urgent requests.

Some documents must be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before an Apostille can be issued. We review your documents in advance and advise on the correct preparation.

Only documents issued or officially certified in the UK can be apostilled by the UK FCDO. Foreign documents usually need to be notarised or certified in the country of origin.

In most cases, the original document is required for apostille legalisation. Some documents may be apostilled as certified copies, provided they have been correctly certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public.

Notarisation or solicitor certification confirms the authenticity of a document or signature, while an Apostille certifies the signature or seal on that document so it can be recognised internationally.

An Apostille does not usually expire. However, some overseas authorities may require documents to be recently issued, so it is always advisable to check the destination country’s requirements.

Yes, but photocopies must first be certified as true copies by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before they can be submitted for apostille legalisation.

Yes, each document normally requires its own Apostille certificate, even if multiple documents are being used for the same purpose.

In some cases, documents can be bound together and apostilled as a set, but this depends on the document type and the requirements of the receiving authority.

An e-Apostille is a digital apostille issued electronically by the FCDO. It is accepted by many countries, but acceptance depends on whether the overseas authority recognises digital documents.

Yes, we offer express and priority Apostille services for urgent cases, subject to document eligibility and FCDO processing availability.

If a translated document is required for official use abroad, the translation itself may need to be certified and apostilled, depending on the destination country’s rules.

An Apostille confirms authenticity but does not override local rules. Acceptance ultimately depends on the requirements of the receiving authority in the destination country.

Yes, we can arrange UK solicitor or Notary Public certification as part of our service to ensure your documents meet FCDO requirements.

Yes, we offer secure worldwide delivery, allowing your apostilled or attested documents to be sent directly to you or to an overseas address.