We offer three processing options:

• Same-Day Service (Restricted Urgent Service): Documents received before 9:00 AM are processed and ready on the same day. To use this service, an email request must be submitted by 3:00 PM on the day prior to submission.
• Next-Day Service: Documents received before 10.30 AM are processed and ready by the next business day.
• Express Service: Takes 3 working days.

Note: Processing times exclude additional time for postage, certification or unforeseen delays like FCDO rejections.

An apostille is valid in over 120 countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention 1961, including the USA, Australia, Canada, EU nations, and many others. We can confirm if your destination country requires an apostille or additional legalisation.

If the FCDO rejects a document-for example, due to improper notarisation or unverifiable signatures-we'll notify you immediately, explain the issue, and guide you through the steps needed to resolve it, such as obtaining a new copy or additional certification.

Note: Full service and government fees will apply again for any resubmission.

Yes, for countries not part of the Hague Convention (e.g., UAE, Egypt), we provide full legalisation services, including FCDO apostilles and embassy or consulate attestations. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

An APOSTILLE is an official certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on a document is genuine. Once a document has an APOSTILLE, it is recognised in all countries that are members of the HAGUE Convention.

Not always. If your document is being used in a HAGUE Convention country, an APOSTILLE is sufficient. If your destination country is not part of the HAGUE Convention, you will also need embassy LEGALISATION in addition to the APOSTILLE.

• Common documents include:
• Birth, marriage,  and death certificates
• Criminal record checks and police certificates
• University degrees, diplomas, and transcripts
• Powers of Attorney
• Court orders and affidavits
• Business and commercial documents

3 Simple Steps to Legalisation

1. Place Your Order Online. 

Select the services you need in our Legalisation Store, place your order, and pay securely online. You’ll receive an email confirmation with your order number.

2. Send Us Your Documents

Post or courier your documents to us along with your order number.

3. Receive Your Legalised Documents

We’ll process everything and return your legalised documents to you quickly and securely.

• Next-Day Service – Fast-track apostille available within 24 hours.
• Express Service – Standard processing in 3–5 working days.
• Additional Certification – If your destination country requires embassy or consular certification, please allow an extra 24 hours

APOSTILLE: Certificate under the HAGUE Convention, valid in 120+ countries.

LEGALISATION: Broader process required for non-HAGUE countries. It usually involves an APOSTILLE first, followed by embassy attestation.

Over 120 countries accept APOSTILLE certificates under the HAGUE Convention, including most of Europe, the USA, Australia, and India. Countries like the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are not members — they require embassy LEGALISATION as well.

Apostille Fees

• Our Service Fee: £39
• FCDO Fee: £40 per document (official UK government charge)

No. Only original documents or solicitor/notary-certified copies can be apostilled. Plain photocopies will be rejected.

Some documents—such as academic qualifications, powers of attorney, and company documents—must be certified by a UK solicitor or notary public before the FCDO will issue an apostille. Birth, marriage, and death certificates are usually apostilled without solicitor/notary certification.

Yes, but be aware that some countries or institutions may require recent versions of certain documents, such as police checks. Always check the validity requirements of your destination.

Without proper APOSTILLE or LEGALISATION, your documents may be rejected abroad. This can delay visas, job offers, university admissions, business registrations, or legal processes.

If your document has been certified by a Solicitor or Notary Public, please ensure they:

• Hold a valid UK practising certificate

• Signed the document in the UK

(Note: Documents signed inside Embassies located in the UK are considered as signed in a foreign jurisdiction and may be rejected)

• Used their personal signature (not a company or firm signature)

• Clearly printed their name and full company address

• Included their seal (if applicable)

- If an embossed seal is used, the impression must go through the page and be visible on both sides

• Dated the certification

• Clearly stated the action taken, e.g.:

- Certified as a true copy

- Confirmed as an original

- Witnessed signature, etc.

If your documents have been certified by a Solicitor or Notary Public already, please also check whether their signature is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This can be confirmed by asking the Solicitor or Notary Public directly.

If their signature is not yet registered, we can assist with this process. Please contact us by email or phone and our team will be happy to help.

Please be aware that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will reject photocopies of the following documents, whether submitted on their own or as part of a bundle.

Original documents must be provided in these cases:

• ACRO Police Certificate

• DBS Certificate

• Marriage Certificate

• Birth Certificate

• Death Certificate

• Civil Partnership Certificate

• Certificate of No Impediment

• Disclosure Scotland Certificate

• Fingerprints Document

• Gender Recognition Certificate

• Letter of No Trace

Sending a photocopy of any of the above will result in rejection and delays, so please double-check that you are submitting the original version or that the photocopy is removed from the bundle (if applicable).

Most non-civil documents (e.g., academic qualifications, powers of attorney, company documents) must be certified by a UK solicitor or notary first. Birth, marriage, and death certificates are usually apostilled without prior certification.

Yes.

Next-Day Apostille: documents received by 10:30 a.m. are targeted for next business day.

Premium Same-Day Apostille: available for urgent cases (subject to document type and capacity).

Yes. We’re based in Milton Keynes and London. You can drop off/collect at our Milton Keynes or  London office (Kentish Town, NW5 2QH).

Drop off in person or post them to us. We return UK deliveries via Royal Mail Special Delivery and offer DHL International Express for overseas addresses.

Our quotes include the FCDO apostille government fee of £40  —no hidden charges.

Yes. For destinations not in the Hague Convention, we arrange embassy/consular legalisation after apostille if required.

It depends on the document and the destination authority. We’ll advise whether an original, an official replacement, or a solicitor-certified copy is appropriate.

We can arrange certified translations and then process the apostille on the translation and/or original, as required.

You’ll receive status updates and a tracking number for returns (Royal Mail/DHL).

Membership grows over time (e.g., Canada joined 11 January 2024). If you’re unsure about a destination, ask us and we’ll confirm the latest position.