Legalisation and Apostille

What the Apostille is

The Apostille is an official certificate issued by a governmental organisation and added to a document so that it can be recognised and presented in another country outside of the UK.

The Apostille Certificate is normally issued by the state from which the document originates, although in some cases another state can issue the Apostille. The Apostille is attached to your original document to verify it is legitimate and to confirm the authenticity of signatures and seals. Once a document has been “apostilled”, it can be presented in any country which recognises the Apostille. The authority receiving the document should then accept the seals or signatures as true and valid without requesting further evidence or proof.

Apostille Certificates in the UK issued by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are accepted in the other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Even countries not listed may still accept the Apostille but, in some cases, documents may require a further Embassy Legalisation. You should contact the Embassy of the corresponding country to find out what the requirements are.

What documents can be legalised

All apostilles are similar but not all documents are processed the same way. Therefore, it is important that they are prepared properly, and the correct version is submitted for legalisation.

Below is the type of documents that are usually legalised, followed by a list of documents:

1. STANDARD DOCUMENTS: the following official government documents and other certificates from recognised authorities can be issued with the apostille with no further certification. They should bear a stamp or signature from a government employee.

   Birth Certificate

   Power of Attorney*

   Business Documents (already certified)*

   Court documents & Probates

   Marriage Certificate

   Affidavits*

   Academic Certificates (already certified)*

   Certificates of Good Standing

   Death certificates

   Authorisation Letters*

   Deed Poll*

   HM Revenue and Customs letters

   Adoption Certificates

   Statutory Declarations*

   Deeds and Wills*

   Certificate of Residence documents

   Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage

   Other documents signed by your Solicitor or Notary

   Decree Absolute or Decree Nisi

   ACPO, ACRO, Police letters, CRB's, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Disclosure Scotland, Enhanced Disclosure

2. COMPANY DOCUMENTS: most company documents need to be certified by a solicitor before the apostille can be issued. We will arrange for your document to be checked, certified by one of our solicitors and then attach the apostille to your document. This is a fully inclusive service.

   Certificate of incorporation

   Certificate of Good Standing

   Appointing Agent Letters

   AR01 Annual Return

   Certificate of Name Change

   Certificate of Incumbency

   Bank Letters

   Company letters

   Memorandum of Association

   Company Accounts

   IN01 Incorporation Form

   LLP Incorporation Forms

   Articles of Association

   Tax Returns

   AD01 Address Form

   Partnership agreements and Partnership Documents

   Share Certificates

   Authorisation Letters

   CH01 Director Form, AP01 Director Form, M01 Director Form

   Other company papers

3. ACADEMIC & PERSONAL DOCUMENTS*: usually, these must be certified by a solicitor after they have been checked.

   Diplomas & Transcripts: Degrees, Masters, PGCE & QTS, GCSE, A-Level, NVQ

   Membership Certificates, Awards

   Training Certificates, Apprenticeship & Indenture Certificates

   Identity documents: Passport, Driving Licence, Utility bills or proof of address, Bank Statements.

   Professional Qualifications: City & Guilds, TEFL/CELTA/TESOL certificates

   Professional Qualifications: City & Guilds, TEFL/CELTA/TESOL certificates

4. BOUND SETS OF DOCUMENTS: if the following documents relate to one person or company, they can be bound together in one bundle:

   Company documents

   Academic certificates

   School reports