Academic documents issued in the UK are frequently required for use overseas, whether for employment, further education, professional registration or immigration purposes.
Pardus Bloom supports individuals and organisations with the notarisation and legalisation of university and higher education documents, ensuring they are properly prepared for acceptance abroad.
- Documents we commonly legalise
University Degrees
University degrees confirm the successful completion of an undergraduate or postgraduate programme and are commonly required for employment, visa applications and professional licensing abroad.
Notarisation and Apostille
Most foreign authorities require degrees to be:
- Certified as a true copy by a UK Notary Public
- Submitted for FCDO Apostille certification
In some cases, additional embassy legalisation or certified translation may be required depending on the destination country.
Diplomas
Diplomas are often issued alongside or instead of degrees and confirm academic achievement in a specific field of study.
Notarisation and Apostille
For international use, diplomas typically require:
- Notarisation as a certified true copy
- Apostille certification by the FCDO
Original documents must be presented during the process.
Academic Transcripts
Academic transcripts provide a detailed breakdown of modules studied and grades achieved, and are frequently requested by universities, employers and immigration authorities abroad.
Notarisation and Apostille
Requirements usually include:
- Certification by a UK Notary Public
- Apostille issued by the FCDO
Some institutions may request transcripts to be sealed or issued directly by the university.
Postgraduate Certificates
Postgraduate certificates confirm completion of specialised academic programmes and are often required for career progression or international applications.
Notarisation and Apostille
- Certified copy notarisation by a UK Notary Public
- FCDO Apostille certification
Additional embassy legalisation may apply depending on the receiving country.
Have you been required to provide a Degree Verification Letter?Â
Degree verification letters are issued by universities to formally confirm the authenticity of a qualification. These are commonly requested by overseas employers, professional bodies or government authorities as part of employment, licensing or immigration processes.
Notarisation and Apostille
For use abroad, these documents may require:
- Notarisation of the original document or a certified copy by a UK Notary Public
- Certification with an FCDO Apostille
In some cases, verification letters issued directly on official university letterhead may be accepted without further legalisation. However, requirements can vary depending on the receiving authority and country of use.
- Pricing
Tailoring services to meet your needs
Apostille only
For official UK documents issued by government authorities, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates or death certificates, which can be submitted directly to the FCDO.
Standard Apostille Service
£125 per document
Turnaround time:
5–6 working days from the moment the document arrives at our London office.
Includes
- Document preparation and verification
- Submission to the FCDO Apostille Office
- Collection from the FCDO
- Secure handling through our London office
Notarisation + Apostille​
Some documents must first be certified by a UK Notary Public before they can be submitted for an Apostille.
This commonly applies to:
- Certified passport copies
- Deed Poll documents
- Affidavits or declarations
- Copies of personal documents
Typical pricing
Notarisation fees vary depending on the document and number of signatories. Once notarised, the document can then be submitted for Apostille through our service.
Apostille fee following notarisation
£125 per document (Standard)
5–6 working days turnaround
Our team coordinates the notary appointment and the Apostille submission, ensuring the documents move smoothly through each stage.
Express Services
For clients who require documents to be legalised urgently.
Express Apostille Service
£195 per document
Turnaround time
1–2 working days from the moment the document arrives at our London office.
Includes
- Priority document preparation
- Fast-track submission to the FCDO Apostille Office
- Priority collection and handling
Our process
Contact Our Team
Requests are best reviewed by email, allowing our team to assess your documents efficiently and provide clear confirmation of requirements and fees. You can also get in touch through any of the contact forms on our website, where you may securely upload your documents to start the review process and help us expedite your request.
All documents and personal data are handled securely and in accordance with GDPR requirements.
Send Your Documents
Once the requirements have been confirmed, you can send your documents for processing.
Documents can be shared digitally through our secure upload system, which follows UK GDPR and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) guidelines to ensure the safe handling and protection of personal data.
Alternatively, original documents may be sent by post or courier to our Central London office in Aldwych. Our team will confirm receipt once the documents arrive and processing begins.
Notarisation & Apostille Processing
For certain documents, identity verification and signing may take place during a secure video appointment with a UK Notary Public.Â
Once the original document has been received, the Notary Public completes the notarisation by applying the official signature, stamp and notarial seal required.
Where the destination country requires further legalisation, the document is then submitted to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Apostille Office. Our team coordinates all the steps.Â
Secure Return
Once the notarisation and Apostille have been completed, scanned copies of the documents are provided promptly for your records or immediate use.
The original documents are then carefully prepared for return. Clients may choose secure UK tracked delivery, international courier via DHL Express, or collection from our Central London office. Tracking details are provided so the shipment can be monitored until it reaches its final destination.
Not sure which service applies to your document? Send us a scan and our team will confirm the correct process within minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions about Legalisation and Apostille services for University and Higher Education Documents.Â
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Yes, university degrees must be notarised before they can be submitted for Apostille. This is typically done as a certified copy by a UK Notary Public, which is the preferred option for many clients as it avoids placing any marks or stamps on the original document. Alternatively, notarisation can also be carried out directly on the original degree if required.
Apostilles do not expire, but receiving authorities may require recently issued documents.
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If your documents are being used in a non-English speaking country, a certified translation may be required.
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Yes. The process begins with a video appointment, followed by sending your documents to our London office.
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Standard appointments are usually available within 1–2 days. Express bookings can be arranged within 30 minutes.
Enquire about our additional services
Accurate and professionally certified translations prepared by qualified linguists, ensuring your academic documents meet the requirements of foreign authorities. Request a Translation Quote
For countries that do not accept Apostilles, we coordinate the additional embassy or consular legalisation required for your documents to be recognised abroad.Arrange Embassy Legalisation
Fast and reliable international delivery of your documents via DHL Express, with full tracking and secure handling from dispatch to delivery. Request a Quote Today
Do you need to obtain or replace an academic document?
If your original documents are unavailable or need to be reissued, our team can support you with obtaining official copies directly from universities or issuing bodies, ensuring they are suitable for notarisation and legalisation.
- Start Your Request
Share a few details and our team will get back to you promptly with next steps.
