For those wishing to legalise documents for Pakistan, the process is soon to be a lot simpler. Currently, documents for Pakistan require legalisation through the Pakistan High Commission in London or one of its sub-commissions in Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford or Glasgow. This legalisation process can be quite long and confusing, as there are many regulations and requirements for even the simplest of documents.
Currently, people wishing to legalise documents for Pakistan have to notarise (if applicable) and apostille their document through the FCDO. From there, they have to book a physical appointment at one of Pakistan’s commissions. During the appointment, applicants have to provide photocopies of their legalised documents, a legalised copy of their passport, and passport style photographs. Applicants are also not allowed to arrange for agents to go on their behalf, making the process even more problematic for people with busy work lives. When you factor in the extra legalisation, photocopies, and travel, it often ends up a time consuming and costly process.
By joining the Apostille convention, Pakistan is revolutionising its legalisation process. Once implemented, applicants will only require an apostille from the UK FCDO to use a document in Pakistan. Some documents, however, require prior notarisation by a notary public or certification by a solicitor before they can be apostilled.
This one-stop process would mean no appointments*, no copies of passports or photos (unless the recipient in Pakistan asks for these) and no need for personal appearance. The furthest you would have to travel would be to your post office to send us your documents.
While Pakistan’s Prime Minister and President have begun the process to join the Apostille convention, it won’t enter into force until the 9th March 2023. Even then, there may be some teething issues while legal service providers in both the UK and Pakistan begin providing these Apostilles. However, before long, Pakistan will join the 123 other countries in the Hague Apostille Convention.
*In some cases a document will require notarisation before it can be apostilled. This often requires personal appearance and passport confirmation on the Notary Public’s behalf. For more information on which documents require this please see our list.