When you need an apostille on a UK document—whether a birth certificate, degree certificate or power of attorney—you’re dealing with the Hague Apostille UK process. This guide explains how to get your document certified and apostilled, outlines apostille fees, and shows you how to find apostille near me services across the UK.
What Is an Apostille? Apostille Convention & Hague Convention Apostille UK
An FCDO apostille is a special certificate attached to official documents confirming their authenticity for use in countries that belong to the Apostille Convention (also called the Hague Apostille Convention). If you’re sending paperwork to France, Spain, Portugal, etc, or any of the Hague Convention apostille list of countries, you will need an apostille.
Difference between notarisation and apostille: A notary public verifies signatures; an apostille (issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office apostille) authenticates the entire document for international use.
Difference between apostille and notary: Notarisation happens locally; apostille certification is a global verification under the Hague Apostille Convention system.
Which Documents Need a UK Apostille Service?
Common documents requiring a UK apostille:
- Birth, marriage, death certificates: Apostille death certificate, apostille marriage certificate or apostille birth certificate.
- Degree certificates: Use apostille degree certificate UK or degree apostille UK for use abroad.
- Police Certificates: Like ACRO Certificate, DBS Certificate.
- Power of attorney, Affidavits: Power of attorney apostille, apostille for affidavits, etc.
- Corporate documents: Include articles of association, certificates of incorporation, etc.
How Much Does an Apostille Cost in the UK?
If you are looking for cheap UK apostille services, you should also pay attention to the costs and, most importantly, the PROCESSING TIMES. The FCDO charges £45 per document, and the processing time takes 20-25 working days. Additional fees apply for courier services.
You’ll need to pay a fee for each document you need to be legalised. If your document cannot be legalised or if the document is rejected by the FCDO, you will not be refunded. It’s very important that you know what you are doing if applying directly to the FCDO, as mistakes can be costly and cause severe delays.
Alternatively, if using an agent like Westminster Legalisation Services, you can get it cheaper and with a next-day service.
FCDO UK Apostille Costs:
- Standard: 20-25 Working Days : £45 plus courier or postage costs (UK: £6.00, Europe: £32.00, Rest of the World: £42.00)
- Express: Next-Day: £40 (Next-Day Service only available via a FCDO Registered partner like Westminster Legalisation Services)
- e-Apostille: £35 (Restricted service not fully accepted internationally).
- Premium: Restricted Service for urgent and time-sensitive documents: £100
How to Obtain Apostille in the UK
1. Identify Your Document
Firstly, ensure your document is eligible for legalisation. Common documents include: Birth and marriage certificates, Academic qualifications, HMRC certificates, ACRO and DBS certificates and Powers of attorney.
2. Prepare Your Document
Ensure the document is an original or an officially certified copy.
3. Notary or Solicitor (if required)
For some documents, you may need a solicitor or notary public to certify it first. If your document needs notarisation first, you don’t need to search “notary apostille near me” or “apostille notary near me”. Our network of notaries and solicitors can perform the whole certification process for you.
WLS will help you check your document and confirm if certification is required.
4. Submit to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
You can apply directly through UK Foreign Office apostille services via postal application; this is a slower and more costly service. Standard turnaround is around 20-25 working days.
You can have a next-day UK Apostille service by using an agent like Westminster Legalisation Services.
5. Use a specialist service
If you need speed or guidance, consider using the Apostille Legalisation services from Westminster Legalisation Services as it is often cheaper, offer a high success rate and can arrange apostille now fast-track options which are much quicker than the normal direct process.
6. Receive your apostille
Done! You will receive your apostille by post or courier.
If ordering through WLS you also have the option to collect the Apostille in person in Central London or Milton Keynes.
Apostille Convention Countries & Where It’s Accepted
The UK is a party to the Hague Convention apostille treaty. Your apostilled document is valid in all apostille countries, including but not limited to:
- Europe: France (apostille France), Spain (Spanish apostille), Germany (German Apostille).
- Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil
- Asia & Oceania: Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines (philippines apostille), China (China Apostille).
See the full Hague Convention apostille list of countries for details.
FAQs:
Apostille and Translation: Dual Services
Many destinations demand both an apostille and a certified translation. Westminster Legalisation Services has translators to most languages. This combined approach ensures your documents are both certified and apostilled and linguistically compliant.
Can a Solicitor or Notary Public issue Apostille in the UK?
No, in the UK only the FCDO can issue an Apostille, but some documents may require prior certification from a solicitor or notary public before applying for an Apostille.
Notary vs Solicitor: How to tell if you need a Notary or a Solicitor – Main Differences
Can I walk in for a UK Apostille?
No walk-ins are allowed at the FCDO premises. You will need to use postal or online applications instead.
Apostille Walk-In with No Appointment:
The FCDO does not accept walk-ins for the Apostille service.
For urgent Hague Apostille UK requests, some private agencies like Westminster Legalisation Services offer same-day walk-in services. Check with providers like Westminster Legalisation Services with Offices in Central London, near Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and an office in Milton Keynes.
How to Get an Apostille Online?
If your document is eligible, you can request an e-Apostille, which means that the whole process could be completed online, but with several restrictions: Learn more about the e-Apostille
If you would like to order a Next-Day Paper Apostille, you can start the process online by requesting a quote. Once you receive a quote, you can send the documents by post or attend the London or Milton Keynes offices to drop them off in person for final processing.
Request Apostille Pricing
Use the form below to request a quick apostille quote.
Why Choose Westminster Legalisation Services?
Who Are We?
We process over 48.000 Apostille each year. Westminster Legalisation Services Ltd specialises in UK document legalisation for international use. Learn more About Us.
Our Services:
- Apostille application assistance
- Same-day consular legalisation services
- Certification by solicitors
- Certification by notary public
Do I need an appointment?
No appointment is needed for document drop-off, but contact us to confirm service availability.
What areas do you serve?
We operate throughout the UK and serve clients worldwide. We have offices in London and Milton Keynes.
With Westminster Legalisation Services, obtaining an apostille in the UK is straightforward and hassle-free. Contact us today to simplify your legalisation needs!
About the Author: Emerson De Queiroz Barbosa
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