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“Me and my fiancé needed a document shipping to UK (from Malaysia) to be apostilled and sent back to us in little over a week. WLS went above and beyond and got us our document in time. Friendly staff and they always responded to any question or queries we had. Highly recommend to anyone”
Dan T.
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is an official certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) that confirms a document is genuine for use overseas.
We offer the FCDO Express Apostille service (next-day service), the FCDO Premium Apostille same-day service (5-6 hours service*), the FCDO e-Apostille service including the e-Certification (1-2 days service) and the FCDO Standard Apostille service (5 working days) at competitive rates. We are based in London and Milton Keynes and have daily trips to the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes (Hanslope Park).
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What is the Hague Apostille?
An Apostille (also known as Hague Apostille or Apostille of the Hague ) is an official certificate issued in the United Kingdom by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) certifying/attesting public documents for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention 1961. The Apostille is an fast-track method of legalisation that certifies/attests the document is valid. The Apostille attests to the Solicitor’s signature, Notary Public’s signature/seal or a signature/seal from a UK government official/department such as from the Courts, HMRC, ACRO Criminal Records Office, NHS (Medical Practitioners), General Register Office (GRO) and Ministers of Religion (Church of England).
In summary, countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention 1961 (Convenzione dell’Aja/Convenção de Haia) have agreed to do away with the lengthy legalisation process via the foreign consulates and embassies and accept documents with the Apostille only as authentic for use in another Signatory country. An Apostille (Apostila dell’Aja/Apostila de Haia) in the UK is issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (“FCDO”) Legalisation Office, in Brazil is issued by the Notary Public Offices (Cartórios) and in Italy by the Prefectures of each Province. In most other foreign jurisdictions, the Apostille is issued by their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With an Apostille certification, a notarised/certified document is entitled to recognition in the country of intended use and there is no requirement for further certification or legalisation by the country of recordal’s nearest Embassy or Consulate in the United Kingdom if the exchange of public documents are between the Hague Convention member states.
Which Documents can be Apostilled?
We regularly assist with:
- ACRO Police Certificates
- Birth, marriage & death certificates
- Marriage abroad
- Documents for international visa applications
- Overseas employment
- Company formation overseas
- Academic documents
- Power of Attorney
- + many more…
The Hague convention 1961
The purpose of the Convention is to abolish the requirement of diplomatic and consular legalisation for public documents originating in one Convention country and intended for use in another.
Documents issued in a Hague Convention country which have been certified by a Convention Apostille are entitled to recognition in any other Convention country without any further authentication/legalisation. Such recognition is an obligation on the part of one country to another country party to the Convention and the courts and authorities have been alerted to this obligation. Check the list of Hague Convention Countries.
Consular officials in Convention countries are prohibited from placing a certification over the Convention Apostille, although, some foreign consulates still do. Please see a list of the countries which are signatories to the Hague Convention and require Apostille only as the method of legalisation.
How do I get an apostille of The Hague for UK documents?
To get an apostille of The Hague for UK documents, you need to have your documents legalised and Apostilled by the UK FCDO. This apostille confirms the authenticity of signatures, stamps, or seals on official UK documents so they are recognised in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
To get started, you must check if your document can be apostilled here: Request a Legalisation Review and Quote
The e-Apostille
What is an e-Apostille, and when is it valid?
The e-Apostille, also known as an electronic apostille, is a digital version of the traditional apostille certificate issued by the UK’s FCDO. It verifies the authenticity of an electronic certification performed by either a Solicitor or a Notary.
The e-certification is a process where a notary public applies an electronic signature to a document. This electronic certification of an Apostille online allows for a paperless legalisation, ideal for individuals and businesses looking to streamline international document use.
In the UK, the electronic apostille UK service is valid when both the originating country and the receiving country are members of the Hague Convention Apostille and accept digital formats. You can use an e-Apostille for a variety of purposes, including legal, academic, and commercial transactions such as company formations abroad, academic enrolments, and even the electronic service of court documents.
e-Apostille key requirements:
The document must be certified by a UK solicitor or notary using a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) or Advanced Electronic Signature (AES). It’s essential to confirm whether your document is eligible for electronic certification.
Learn the exact requirements for an e-Apostille
Always check with the requesting party if they will accept the e-Apostille. So far, many countries and organisations DO NOT accept the e-Apostille, and a paper-based Apostille might be more appropriate.
Is an e-Apostille the same as a paper Apostille?
An electronic Apostille and a paper Apostille perform the same basic legalisation function, but their format and document requirements are different. Compare the apostille services:
| UK e-Apostille | Paper Apostille |
|---|---|
| Issued as an electronic PDF | Issued as a physical paper certificate |
| Sent and shared electronically | Attached to the back of the physical document |
| Requires a compliant digitally signed PDF | Usually requires an original or certified document |
| Normally completed without postal delivery | Requires physical submission and return |
| Not available for certain documents | Available for a wider range of UK documents |
| Best for organisations accepting digital documents | Best where original paper documents are required |
Which documents can get an e-Apostille?
Not every document can receive an e-Apostille. When in doubt, ask our WLS experts for advice.
| May qualify for an e-Apostille | Cannot get an e-Apostille |
|---|---|
|
|
| Eligibility depends on the document, certification and receiving organisation. | These documents normally require a paper Apostille. |
Premium Same-Day Apostille service
The FCDO only approves Premium Apostille for urgent and time-sensitive documents. The Supporting evidence of urgency is required and reviewed by the FCDO prior to approval.
Types of document eligible for Premium Same-Day FCDO Apostille:
- Documents linked to time-sensitive repatriation
- Time-limited documents linked to transport of animals
- Documents with evidence relating to the welfare of a child or a vulnerable adult
- Commercially urgent documents (required within 48 hours), for example; certificates relating to insolvency searches; documents relating to corporate transactions; or short notice private client documents.
- Visa/Asylum/Travel documents where the date of travel is within 48 hours.
In any other cases, the Next-Day Apostille service is usually a quicker and more cost-effective option for getting a urgent Apostille certification.
When must the Premium Apostille application be submitted to the FCDO?
To qualify for same-day Apostille service, WLS must submit the application to the FCDO for analysis by 4:00 PM the day before the intended legalisation date. This is a strict FCDO requirement.
Apostille Processing
What is Apostille legalisation in the UK?
An Apostille is a certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to verify the authenticity of a UK public document for international use. This is done under the Hague Apostille Convention.
At Westminster Legalisation Services (WLS), we are an FCDO-registered provider. We submit documents daily to the UK Legalisation Office at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes — the only Apostille-issuing office in the country.
What Apostille legalisation services does WLS provide?
WLS offers four Apostille legalisation options:
- Same-Day Premium Apostille – processed within 2–3 hours (limited to eligible cases).
- Next-Day Express Apostille – document ready for the next working day.
- Standard Apostille – document ready within approximately 5 working days.
- e-Apostille – electronic Apostille processed in 1–2 working days.
All services are available through our London (Covent Garden) and Milton Keynes offices.
Where is the UK Apostille Office (FCDO) located?
The UK Legalisation Office is operated by the FCDO at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes.
Our WLS Milton Keynes branch is located just 15 minutes away, allowing us to deliver same-day and fast-track submissions directly to the FCDO.
What time must documents be submitted for same-day or next-day Apostille service?
- Same-Day Premium Apostille: Documents must be received at our Milton Keynes office by 11:30 AM.
- Next-Day Express Apostille: Documents must arrive by 11:15 AM at either our London or Milton Keynes offices.
Documents received after these cut-off times are processed the next eligible day.
What type of documents are eligible for the Premium Same-Day Apostille service?
The FCDO only approves Premium Apostille for urgent and time-sensitive documents. The Supporting evidence of urgency is required and reviewed by the FCDO prior to approval.
Types of document eligible for Premium Same-Day FCDO Apostille:
- Documents linked to time-sensitive repatriation
- Time-limited documents linked to transport of animals
- Documents with evidence relating to the welfare of a child or a vulnerable adult
- Commercially urgent documents (required within 48 hours), for example; certificates relating to insolvency searches; documents relating to corporate transactions; or short notice private client documents.
- Visa/Asylum/Travel documents where the date of travel is within 48 hours.
When must the Premium Apostille application be submitted to the FCDO?
To qualify for same-day Apostille service, WLS must submit the application to the FCDO for analysis by 4:00 PM the day before the intended legalisation date. This is a strict FCDO requirement.
What is an e-Apostille and how does it differ from a paper Apostille?
An e-Apostille is a digitally issued Apostille certificate designed to simplify and accelerate the legalisation process.
Key requirements include:
- Document must be certified by a UK solicitor or notary using a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) or Advanced Electronic Signature (AES).
- Simple electronic signatures are not accepted.
- Processing time is usually 1–2 working days, depending on FCDO capacity.
More info: e-Apostille Guide
Excluded documents from e-Apostille:
The e-Apostille service excludes a number of document types. To legalise the following documents, we must use the paper apostille service:
- All General Register Office (GRO) documents, including birth, death, marriage, civil partnership and adoption certificates.
- ACRO police certificates for England and Wales.
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificates for England and Wales.
- Disclosure certificates for Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- Fingerprint certificates.
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) membership certificates
Can a foreign document be legalised with a UK Apostille?
Yes — but only if:
- A UK solicitor or notary has verified the authenticity with the issuing foreign authority.
- A cover certificate must be attached confirming: “The authenticity has been verified with the issuing authority abroad and the document is genuine and authentic.”
The FCDO will only Apostille foreign documents if these conditions are met.
How are electronic UK documents like PDFs legalised?
Documents such as HMRC letters or Court-issued PDFs must be:
- Certified by a UK solicitor or notary as a “true copy of the original electronic/PDF document.”
This specific wording is recommended by Hague Convention authorities to ensure FCDO approval.
What happens if the UK official’s signature or seal is not in the FCDO database?
It is important to note that original documents signed/stamped/sealed by UK public officials can only be Apostilled by the FCDO if the UK public official’s signature and/or seal is registered on the FCDO database.
If the signature and/or seal is not held on the FCDO database, they will need to verify the official’s signature and/or seal with the relevant Public Department/Signatory (e.g. HMRC, ACRO Criminal Records Office, GP Practice (Medical Practitioner), Court, DEFRA, Companies House, etc.) in order to Apostille the document.
The signature verification process may take anything between 1-5 working days to be completed, depending on how fast the relevant public department/signatory responds to the FCDO’s request. This process must be performed independently between the FCDO Legalisation Office and the relevant public department/officials.
Can older GROs (birth, marriage, or death certificates) be Apostilled?
Yes — but with limitations:
- GRO certificates under 6 months old are typically verified by the FCDO.
- If the certificate is older than 6 months or issued by a Church, the FCDO may refuse verification.
In that case, you must either:
- Obtain a new certified copy from the General Register Office (GRO), or
- Ask the Register Office or Church to send a signature confirmation directly to the FCDO to have it registered.
Learn how to order a Birth Certificate and get it Apostilled
Does WLS provide scanned copies of documents?
Yes. We provide:
- Free scanned copies of completed Apostilled/legalised documents
- Up to 10 pages for the first 5 documents
- Tracking details by email at no extra charge
Can WLS assist with further consular or embassy legalisation?
Absolutely, we offer a full range of Consular Attestation Services. Once the FCDO Apostille is completed, we can handle:
- Embassy legalisation
- Consulate processing
- Arab-British and London Chamber of Commerce stamping
We also offer collection from our London office or international dispatch.
Why choose Westminster Legalisation Services?
- FCDO-Registered provider
- Offices in London and Milton Keynes
- Daily submissions to the UK Legalisation Office
- Multilingual lawyers and legal experts
- Fast, secure handling of personal and corporate documents
- Hundreds of 5-Star reviews on Google and Trustpilot
- Team formed by lawyers with 20+ years experience.
Learn more about us: About Westminster Legalisation Services
Passionate – Dedicated – Professional
what our apostille clients are saying
WlS were recommended to us and what a gem! Not only did they do what they said they would they also communicated effectively throughout the process so we knew exactly what was going on at any point in time. Would thoroughly recommend!
JD – Legalisation Services
Always prompt in answering any queries and very considerate of your preferences. I had a lovely experience , and applaud the customer service and results provided. Highly recommend.
TD – Apostille Legalisation Client
Frequently asked Apostille Questions
Apostille legalisation is a process of authenticating documents for use abroad in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention 1961. It involves attaching an apostille certificate to the document to verify its authenticity and validity in the destination country.
Apostille legalisation is necessary for documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic diplomas, and business documents or any other type of documents to be recognised and accepted in foreign countries. It ensures that your documents will be valid and legally recognised in the country of destination.
The processing time for apostille legalisation can vary depending on factors such as the country where the document originates and the specific requirements of the destination country. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to complete the process.
If you have a UK document, we can offer the Apostille legalisation via standard service (1-2 working days), premium service (within 5-6 hours) and e-Apostille service (within 5-48 hours).
Any type of documents can be apostilled, including personal documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and adoption papers, as well as legal documents like powers of attorney, affidavits, and court documents. The only difference is the requirements that vary depending on the type of documents you have for Apostille legalisation.
Again, the requirement varies depending on the type of documents. For example, GRO certificates (birth, marriage, death, adoption, and civil partnership certificates), UK Criminal Records Certificates, ACCA Membership Certificates, the original certificates are required for apostille legalisation. However, some exceptions may apply depending on the type of documents and specific requirements of the issuing and receiving authorities.
Yes, documents issued in a foreign language can be apostilled. However, in most cases, they will need to be accompanied by a certified translation into the official language of the destination country. In this case, foreign documents must be first certified by a UK solicitor or notary public in order to be Apostilled by the UK FCDO.
The cost of FCDO Apostille can vary depending on the service you choose. The business standard paper-based Apostille is £40, the premium Apostille is £100, the e-Apostille is £35 or the postal standard paper-based Apostille is £45.
The Apostille legalisation only is used for documents intended for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention 1961. Embassy legalisation, on the other hand, is required for documents destined for countries that are not party to the Convention. The documents intended for non-Signatory countries need to be first Apostilled then taken to the relevant Embassy for further legalisation. Embassy legalisation involves additional steps and may take longer to complete.
Apostille legalisation is generally valid indefinitely once it has been attached to a document. However, it’s essential to check the specific requirements of the destination country, as some countries may have expiration dates or require updated documents after a certain period.
You can get apostille legalisation services from reputable agencies or companies specialising in document legalisation and authentication like Us, Westminster Legalisation Services LTD. Ensure to choose a reliable service provider with experience in handling Apostille procedures to ensure a smooth and efficient process. We are registered with the UK FCDO to provide Apostille legalisation in the United Kingdom.
Yes, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) may reject a document if the signature / seal from a public official, solicitor or notary public is not held on their database. This can be rectified in different ways depending on the type of document. In case of rejection, we will advise you accordingly on how to resolve the matter to have the document Apostilled and there are no extra costs from us for resubmission to the FCDO.
Yes, we do offer discounts for orders with more than one document. You can email our team at info@wlegalisation.co.uk for a detailed quote based on the number of documents you have.
You can pay online by card or by bank transfer upon receipt of an invoice from Westminster Legalisation Services LTD. Alternatively, if attending our office in person, you can pay by card or in cash. We do not accept personal cheques.
Not all documents can be e-Apostilled in the UK. Some documents require the originals being presented to the FCDO in order to be Apostilled. Please see below the documents that cannot be electronically Apostilled:
- All GRO certificates such as birth, marriage, death, civil partnership, CNI and adoption certificates;
- ACRO Police certificates,
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificates for England and Wales;
- Disclosure certificates for Scotland or Northern Ireland;
- Fingerprint certificates, and
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) membership certificates.
In addition, your documents must be electronically notarised using an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) or a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES).
Furthermore, a document that is e-Apostilled can only be exchanged electronically. If printed out and presented in hard copy invalidates the e-Apostille. We highly recommend to check with the requesting party in the country of destination to ensure that the e-Apostille is the format acceptable.
Yes, upon completion we will send you a scanned copy of the Apostilled document as PDF file via email along with any tracking details as applicable. If you are collecting the documents personally from our office, we send you the scanned copy of the Apostilled document as PDF file with the opening hours confirmation.
