Many official life events generate documents that must be recognised internationally. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees and other civil status records are commonly required when relocating abroad, applying for visas, getting married overseas, or completing administrative procedures with foreign authorities.
- Documents we commonly legalise
Birth Certificates
For Apostille purposes, the certificate must usually be an original certified copy issued by the General Register Office (GRO). Photocopies are not accepted directly by the FCDO unless they have been notarised by a UK Notary Public.
Requirements for FCDO Apostille: Original certificate issued by the GRO / Document must be in good physical condition / No lamination or alteration
Marriage Certificates
Marriage certificates often require Apostille certification when registering a marriage in another country or when dealing with international property, inheritance or immigration matters.
The FCDO can apply an Apostille to original certificates issued by the GRO or registry office.
Requirements for FCDO Apostille: Original certificate issued by the GRO / Document must be in good physical condition / No lamination or alteration
Divorce Decrees
Divorce documentation, usually in the form of a Decree Absolute or Final Order, may need to be legalised when remarrying abroad or updating marital records in another country.
The Apostille confirms the authenticity of the issuing court’s signature and seal.
Requirements for FCDO Apostille: Original certificate issued by the GRO / Document must be in good physical condition / No lamination or alteration
Death Certificates
Death certificates are often required for international probate matters, inheritance claims, or to update family records abroad.
These documents can normally be apostilled when issued by the GRO.
Requirements for FCDO Apostille: Original certificate issued by the GRO / Document must be in good physical condition / No lamination or alteration
Adoption Certificates
Adoption certificates may require Apostille certification when establishing parental rights abroad or registering family status with foreign authorities.
These documents must be official certified copies issued by the relevant UK authority.
Requirements for FCDO Apostille: Official certificate issued by a recognised UK authority / Document must be original and in good condition
Change of Name
Deed Poll
Deed Poll documents confirming a legal name change may require Apostille certification when updating identity records abroad.
If the Deed Poll has not been issued by an official registry, it may first need to be notarised before an Apostille can be issued.
Requirements for FCDO Apostille: Original Deed Poll document / In some cases, notarisation may be required before Apostille
Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)
A Certificate of No Impediment confirms that an individual is legally free to marry. Many countries require this document to be legalised with an Apostille before a marriage ceremony can take place.
The certificate is normally issued by the local registry office following the statutory notice period.
Requirements for FCDO Apostille: Original certificate issued by a UK registry office / Must be within the validity period required by the destination country
Certified Passport Copies
Some international procedures require a certified copy of a passport rather than the original document.
In these cases, a UK Notary Public certifies the copy, and the notarised copy can then be submitted to the FCDO for Apostille.
Requirements Requirements for FCDO Apostille: Original passport must be presented to a Notary Public / The notary’s certification must be registered with the FCDO
- 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
Original certificates can be delivered to our London office or sent by secure courier. We also accept direct deliveries from the GRO or registry offices.
Apostille Processing
Our team prepares the documents and submits them to the FCDO Apostille Office in Milton Keynes for certification.
Secure Return
Once the Apostille has been issued, we arrange secure return delivery within the UK or internationally via tracked courier.
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 Apostille services for identity and civil status documents.
The FCDO normally requires original documents issued by the relevant authority. If you only have a copy, a UK Notary Public may be able to certify the document before it is submitted for Apostille.
A photocopy cannot normally be apostilled on its own. The copy must first be certified by a UK Notary Public, after which the notarised copy can be submitted to the FCDO.
If the document is damaged, laminated, or partially illegible, the FCDO may reject it. In many cases, it is best to order a replacement certificate from the General Register Office (GRO).
Yes. Many clients choose to order replacement certificates from the GRO and have them delivered directly to our London office, allowing us to begin the Apostille process as soon as they arrive.
Clients will normally need to provide valid photo identification, such as a passport, along with a recent proof of address. Additional supporting documents may be required depending on the nature of the document.
Contact our team by email, WhatsApp or phone and send us a scan of your document. We will confirm whether it can be submitted directly for Apostille or if additional steps such as notarisation are required.
Once we confirm the requirements, you can send your original documents to our London office or arrange secure digital submission where applicable. Our team prepares the documents and organises the submission to the FCDO Apostille Office.
After confirming the service required, you can proceed with the Standard or Express option. We handle the preparation, Apostille submission and secure return delivery within the UK or internationally.
Enquire about our secure UK return delivery, international courier shipping via DHL Express, and direct document receipt from the GRO or registry offices to our London office for immediate processing.
- Start Your Request
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