Reliable support for apostille, legalisation and certification of documents for international use
Apostille services – certification requirements explained
Not all documents require certification before obtaining a UK apostille. Whether certification is needed depends on the type of document and how it was issued.
No certification required
Certain original UK-issued documents can usually be submitted directly for apostille, provided they include the issuing authority’s original wet ink signature or official seal and date.
Examples include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
Certification required for some original documents
Many original documents must be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before they can be apostilled.
These may include:
- Academic qualifications
- Company and corporate documents
- Adoption or legal documents
Certification required for copies or printouts
If you are submitting a copy or printed version rather than an original document, certification by a UK solicitor or Notary Public is almost always required before apostille.
Why certification matters
Certification ensures that your documents meet FCDO apostille UK legalisation requirements. It confirms the authenticity of the document or signature, allowing it to be accepted for official use abroad.
