A comprehensive guide to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Apostille service

By Oli Winter, Marketing Intern

Why do I need an ‘apostille’?

An apostille is a stamped official certificate which the Legalisation Office will attach to your documentation once they are satisfied that any included signature, stamp or seal is genuine. The apostille certifies that your documents or certificates were signed or notarised by a UK public official, ensuring fraudulent documents cannot be used for official purposes overseas. 

If you apply for legalisation on your own, you would be required to use the postal service which may take up to 10 days in addition to the time taken by courier services. Woodcock Notary Public will be able to assist you using our same-day service, reducing waiting times and ensuring your documents are ready for use as soon as possible.

Which documents can be legalised at the FCDO?

Your document must have been issued within the UK in order to use the FCDO legalisation service. If you are looking to legalise documents which were issued outside of the UK, this should be done in the issuing country.

Apostilles can be attached to a range of documents which you may be required to present in foreign jurisdictions. Common documents which often require a UK apostille include: 

• Marriage Certificate Apostille
• Police Clearance
• Power of Attorney
• Bona-fide Certificate
• Medical Certificate
• Birth Certificate Apostille
• Leaving Certificate
• Registration Certificate
• Educational Documents

In the case of birth, marriage or death certificates, you may need to have the original document notarised. Other documents, including some educational certificates, can be notarised using a certified copy made by a solicitor. It is important to check what you are required to present overseas to ensure that you supply the correct documents for legalisation.

Do all countries require legalisation?

Legalisation requirements vary based on country and our advisers will be happy to guide you on the appropriate measures to get your documents legalised based on your individual circumstances.

For a full list of the countries which require legalisation with the FCDO, please click here.

What is the legalisation process?

Woodcock Notary Public can assist you with the entire legalisation process, including notarisation and the attachment of an apostille. Once your documents have been notarised, we will present them to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to certify their authenticity.

Depending on the urgency of your case, we offer both standard and same-day premium services for businesses to ensure that your documents are back in your hands as soon as possible. 

After gaining an apostille, you may still be required to take further steps to have your documents fully certified. We will be able to assist you with gaining any further certification by a Chamber of Commerce, Embassy or Consulate.

We can either return the documents to you or forward them directly to your client on your behalf after the legalisation process is complete based on your preferences. Scanned copies and tracking numbers will be emailed to you to ensure you are kept updated at every step of the process.

How much will it cost?

As each client requires a slightly different service depending on whether full legalisation at an embassy is required, costs may vary.

If you would like to find out the exact fees based on your documents and preferred service, please get in touch so we can advise you appropriately.