Do I need solicitor certification before apostille?

Are you unsure if you need Solicitor Certification for your UK Document?

The answer is: Not always. Some UK documents can go straight to apostille in original form, while others need solicitor certification first. The right route depends on the document type, the destination country, and whether the receiving authority accepts solicitor certified documents or requires notarisation instead.

This is where many apostille delays begin. The document itself may be perfectly valid, but if it is submitted in the wrong format, certified by the wrong professional, or missing the correct signature, it may not be accepted for legalisation.

In this guide, we explain when solicitor certification is needed before apostille, when the original document can go direct to the FCDO, and when notarisation may be the safer route.

Do all documents need solicitor certification before apostille?

No. Not all UK documents need solicitor certification before apostille.

Some documents are already issued by a UK public authority, court, registry, government department, or public official. These documents may be eligible for direct apostille without solicitor certification first.

Other documents need a solicitor or notary to certify them before the FCDO can attach the apostille. This is usually because the document is a private document, a copy document, a qualification certificate, a signed document, or a document that does not already contain a directly verifiable public signature, seal, or stamp.

Learn more about the Solicitor Certification Services

You may need solicitor certification before apostille if your document is:

• a copy of an original document
• a private document
• an academic or qualification certificate
• a passport copy or driving licence copy
• a power of attorney, contract, affidavit, or declaration
• a company document not issued directly by Companies House
• a document that must be signed or certified before legalisation
• a DBS – Disclosure and Barring Service check

You may NOT need solicitor certification if your document is:

• an original UK birth certificate
• an original UK marriage certificate
• an original UK death certificate
• an original ACRO police certificate
• a sealed UK court document
• a Companies House certificate
• a government letter signed by an official
• a document already signed or sealed by a recognised UK public official

The safest approach is to check the document type and destination country before paying for certification.

Which documents can go straight to apostille?

Some UK documents can usually go straight to apostille because they are already official public documents.

These documents often include:

UK registry documents

Original UK civil registry documents can often be apostilled directly, including:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• acro police certificate

For these documents, solicitor certification is often unnecessary if the original or official replacement certificate is being used.

Court documents

Some UK court documents can go direct to apostille if they carry the correct court seal or official court signature.

Examples may include:

• sealed court orders
• probate documents
• divorce final orders
• court-issued certificates
• other documents bearing a wet ink court seal

If the document is only a copy, scan, or printout, certification may be needed first.

Companies House documents

Certain Companies House documents can be apostilled directly when issued by Companies House in the correct format.

Examples may include:

• certificate of incorporation
• certificate of good standing
• certified Companies House documents
• official Companies House extracts

However, privately prepared company documents, board resolutions, commercial letters, and supporting company paperwork usually need solicitor certification or notarisation before apostille.

Government documents

Some documents issued by UK government departments can go straight to apostille if they are signed by an official.

Examples may include:

• HMRC letters signed by an officer
• tax residence certificates
• government confirmation letters
• public authority documents

If the document is unsigned, downloaded, copied, or privately printed, it may need solicitor certification first.

Which documents usually need a solicitor first?

Solicitor certification is commonly needed when the document is not already a public document or when the receiving authority asks for a certified copy.

The most common examples are educational documents, passport copies, private company documents, affidavits, powers of attorney, and copy documents for overseas use.

Educational documents

Educational documents often need certification before apostille, especially where the receiving authority wants a certified copy or confirmation that the document has been checked with the educational institution.

Examples include:

• degree certificates
• academic transcripts
• school reports
• professional qualification certificates
• university letters
• training certificates

For some countries or institutions, university authenticity verification may also be required before certification. In those cases, the document may need HEDD verification or direct confirmation from the issuing university before the solicitor or notary completes the certification.

Most EU countries like Spain, Portugal or Italy will accept certification by a Solicitor as long as the award verification has been completed.
Some countries like Bulgaria, Argentina or Brazil, may require certification by a Notary Pubic.

Learn More: Who Can Certify Documents in the UK?

Passport and ID copies

Passport copies are one of the most common documents requiring solicitor certification before apostille.

A solicitor can certify that the copy is a true copy of the original passport seen. The apostille can then be added to the solicitor’s certification, rather than to the passport itself.

Common examples include:

• passport copy certification
• driving licence copy certification
• proof of identity copies
• proof of address copies

This is often required for overseas banks, employers, universities, immigration processes, company formation, or international compliance checks.

Private company documents

Private company documents usually need certification before apostille because they are not issued by a public registry.

Examples include:

• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• commercial contracts
• authorisation letters
• company declarations
• business letters
• copies of company documents

For international commercial use, the route may depend on the destination country. Some countries accept solicitor certification, while others may require notary public certification or consular legalisation after the apostille.

Affidavits, declarations and powers of attorney

Signed legal documents often need to be witnessed or certified before apostille.

Examples include:

• affidavits
• statutory declarations
• powers of attorney
• authorisation letters
• consent letters
• signed statements

Some of these documents can be handled by a solicitor, but others may require a notary depending on the destination country and the receiving authority.

Can a solicitor apostille a document?

No. A solicitor cannot issue an apostille in the UK.

The apostille is issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office. A solicitor can certify, witness, or sign a document first where required, but the apostille itself is attached by the FCDO.

This is an important distinction.

A solicitor certification and an apostille are two different steps:

Solicitor certification:

A solicitor certification confirms something about the document, copy, or signature. For example, it may confirm that a photocopy is a true copy of the original seen by the solicitor.

Apostille:

An apostille confirms that the signature, stamp, or seal on the document is genuine for international legalisation purposes.

In many cases, the apostille is attached to the solicitor’s signature/certification, not directly to the original private document.

Can a certified document be apostilled?

Yes. A certified document can be apostilled if the certification has been completed correctly and the signature can be accepted by the FCDO.

This is common for:

• certified passport copies
• certified driving licence copies
• certified degree certificates
• certified academic transcripts
• certified company documents
• certified powers of attorney
• certified declarations
• certified private documents

The key issue is not just whether the document has a stamp. The certification must be suitable for apostille.

A certified document may be delayed or rejected if:

• the wrong professional certified it
• the signature is not acceptable for legalisation
• the document should have been notarised instead
• the receiving country requires a different format or notary public
• the certification wording is incomplete
• the original document should have been submitted instead
• the document is a scan when the original is required

This is why checking the route before certification is so important.

How much does solicitor certification cost before apostille?

At WLS, solicitor certification starts from £15.00 + VAT.

This fee applies to standard solicitor certification of documents where the solicitor route is appropriate. The final cost may change if you need additional services such as apostille, consular legalisation, courier delivery, certified translation, notarial certification, or university verification for educational documents.

Solicitor Certification Pricing Examples:

Solicitor certification only:

• from £15.00 + VAT
• standard turnaround: same day or 1 working day

Solicitor certification + Apostille:

• solicitor certification fee
• FCDO apostille fee
• WLS handling fee
• delivery or collection option
• standard combined turnaround: 1-2 working days

Educational documents with award verification:

• solicitor certification may require university authenticity checks
• HEDD verification or university verification fees may apply
• WLS will confirm the correct route before proceeding

If you only need a simple certified copy for UK domestic use, a local high street solicitor may be more suitable. WLS focuses on solicitor certification for documents that need apostille, legalisation, or overseas use.

How long does solicitor certification + apostille take?

At WLS, standard solicitor certification is usually completed in 1 working day.

If apostille is also required, the standard combined turnaround is 1-2 working days.

This makes the process suitable for customers who need documents certified and legalised quickly for overseas use, including employment, study, business, visa, relocation, property, or compliance purposes.

Typical process

1. Request a Quote: Send us the document type and destination country.
2. We check whether the document needs solicitor certification, notary certification, or direct apostille.
3. If solicitor certification is suitable, the document is certified.
4. The document is submitted for apostille.
5. The completed document is returned by collection or delivery.

Solicitor certification, notary, or direct apostille?

The correct route depends on the document and where it is going.

If the receiving authority specifically asks for notarisation, or the document is for a country, institution, or legal process that expects a notary public, a Solicitor Certification will likely be rejected. If you are unsure, do not guess. Send the document details and destination country for review first.

Request a free consultation and document review

Common mistakes to avoid before applying for an apostille

Paying for solicitor certification when the original can go direct

This is common with birth, marriage, death and court documents. These have a crown copyright on them and cannot be copied. If the original document already qualifies for apostille, adding solicitor certification may be unnecessary.

Using a solicitor when a notary is required

Some foreign authorities will only accept notarised documents. If the instruction says “notary public”, solicitor certification may not be enough. Notary vs Solicitor: How to tell if you need a Notary or a Solicitor – Main Differences

Certifying a copy when the receiving authority wants the original

Some countries or institutions will only accept the original document with an apostille. A certified copy may not be accepted, even if it has been correctly certified.

Using the wrong wording

Certification wording matters. A vague stamp or incomplete statement may cause problems during legalisation or when the document reaches the overseas authority.

Not checking the destination country

Portugal, Spain, UAE, China, France, Switzerland and Middle Eastern countries can all treat documents differently depending on the document type. The country matters just as much as the document.

When should you check before certifying?

You should check before certifying if:

• the document is for overseas use
• the document will be submitted to an embassy or consulate
• the receiving authority has given specific wording
• the document is academic
• the document is a power of attorney
• the document is for property, court, company, or immigration use abroad
• you are not sure whether the authority wants the original or a certified copy
• you have been asked for apostille and solicitor certification together

A quick check at the beginning is usually faster than fixing the wrong certification later.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need solicitor certification before apostille?

Sometimes. You need solicitor certification before apostille if your document is a copy, private document, qualification certificate, passport copy, power of attorney, contract, affidavit, or another document that needs a UK solicitor to certify or witness it first. You may not need it if the document is already an original UK public document.

Can I apostille a photocopy?

A photocopy normally needs to be certified first by a suitable professional, such as a solicitor or notary, before it can be apostilled but not all documents can be photocopied.

Can a solicitor certify a passport copy for apostille?

Yes. A solicitor can certify a passport copy as a true copy of the original seen. The certified copy can then be apostilled where the receiving authority accepts that route.

Can a degree certificate be apostilled without solicitor certification?

It depends on the document and destination country. Most educational documents need solicitor or notary certification first. Some authorities may also require university authenticity verification before certification.

Can a birth certificate be solicitor-certified before apostille?

It can be certified in some situations, but for apostille purposes the original or official replacement birth certificate is often the better route. Registry documents can usually be apostilled directly if issued in the correct format.

Is solicitor certification the same as notarisation?

No. Solicitor certification and notarisation are different. A solicitor can certify documents where accepted, but a notary public is often required for formal international authentication, overseas property transactions, foreign court documents, and certain powers of attorney.

Can WLS arrange solicitor certification and apostille together?

Yes. WLS arranges solicitor certification for documents that need apostille or legalisation. At WLS, solicitor certification starts from £15.00 + VAT. If apostille is also needed, standard combined turnaround is 1-2 working days.

Final answer: do you need solicitor certification before apostille?

You only need solicitor certification before apostille if the document cannot go directly to apostille in its current form.

If the document is an original UK public document, it may be eligible for direct apostille. If it is a copy, private document, academic document, passport copy, company document, signed declaration, or power of attorney, it may need solicitor certification or notarisation first.

The safest step is to check the document type and destination country before certifying anything.

Need help checking your document?

Send us your document type, destination country, and deadline. We will confirm whether you need solicitor certification, notarisation, direct apostille, or further consular legalisation before you proceed.