What is an apostille and how do you get one?

An apostille is a certificate issued in the UK by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It confirms that the signature, stamp or seal on a public document is genuine - for example the signature of a notary public, a solicitor registered with the FCDO, or a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

An apostille does not certify the content of the document. It certifies that the official who signed it is who they say they are.

Why apostilles exist

Under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, member countries agree to accept each other's public documents if they carry an apostille, without any further legalisation. More than 120 countries are members. The apostille replaces a longer chain of certifications that would otherwise be needed.

When you need an apostille

You typically need an apostille when a UK document is going to be used in another Hague Convention country, such as for:

• Property purchases and sales abroad
• Powers of attorney for use overseas
• Company and commercial documents
• Marriage, birth and death certificates for use abroad
• Educational certificates and transcripts
• Police (ACRO) certificates for visa and immigration purposes

When an apostille is not enough

If the destination country is not a member of the Hague Convention, an apostille alone will not be accepted. The document usually needs:

1. Notarisation by a notary public (if not already an official document)
2. An FCDO apostille or certificate
3. Legalisation at that country's embassy or consulate in the UK, each with its own fee and processing time

How to get a document apostilled

1. Get the document into the right form. Personal documents (contracts, declarations, copies of ID, company paperwork) usually need to be notarised first. Official UK certificates (birth, marriage, death) can often go straight to the FCDO.
2. Submit to the FCDO. The FCDO offers a standard postal service and a faster premium service, each with a fixed fee per document. Check gov.uk for current fees and turnaround times.
3. Add embassy legalisation if the destination country requires it.

Getting it done for you

National Notaries can notarise your document, obtain the apostille, and arrange embassy legalisation where needed - and courier the finished document wherever it has to go.

Request a quote or call 0800 058 1180. See our legalisation and apostille service, and notarising documents for use abroad.

---

← All notary guides  ·  Quick answers: notary FAQs