Service Provider: FCDO Legalisation Office
Cost: 30 GBP per document (standard service)
Premium Service: 75 GBP per document (same-day or next-day)
Processing Time: Standard 2-5 working days, Premium same day/next day
Apply Online: gov.uk/get-document-legalised
When you need to use an official UK document in another country, whether for work, education, business, or personal reasons, you will often need that document to be legalised or apostilled. This process certifies that the document is genuine and has been properly issued or signed, allowing it to be recognised by authorities in the receiving country. Without proper legalisation, your document may be rejected by foreign courts, government offices, universities, or employers.
The legalisation process depends on whether the receiving country is a member of the Hague Convention (which uses a simplified apostille system) or not (which requires a longer embassy legalisation process). This guide explains both systems and walks you through the entire process step by step.
An apostille is a standardised certificate issued by a designated authority in one country, confirming that a document bearing a public official's signature, seal, or stamp is genuine. The apostille system was established by the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 (formally the "Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents") to simplify the process of authenticating documents for international use.
Before the apostille system, getting a document recognised abroad required a chain of certifications through multiple government departments and embassies. The apostille replaces this cumbersome process with a single certificate that is recognised by all member states of the Hague Convention.
An apostille is a separate certificate attached to your document (usually stapled or bound to the back). It contains standardised information including the country of origin, the name and capacity of the person who signed the document, the authority issuing the apostille, and a unique reference number for verification.
Over 120 countries are members of the Hague Convention, including all EU member states, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, India, China, Brazil, and many others. If the country where you need to use your document is a Hague Convention member, an apostille from the FCDO Legalisation Office is all you need. You do not need further embassy legalisation.
If the receiving country is NOT a member of the Hague Convention, you will need to go through the full embassy legalisation process (explained below), which is longer and more complex.
Common documents that may require an apostille or legalisation include:
Some documents can be apostilled directly (such as birth, marriage, and death certificates issued by the General Register Office). Other documents must first be signed or certified by a UK solicitor, notary public, or other recognised professional before they can receive an apostille.
Private documents (such as a personal letter, a translation, or a company document not issued by a government body) must be notarised by a UK notary public or certified by a solicitor before the FCDO will apostille them. The FCDO apostille confirms the notary's or solicitor's signature, not the content of the document itself.
Submit your document to the FCDO Legalisation Office either online (recommended) at gov.uk/get-document-legalised or by post. You will need to create an account, upload your details, pay the fee, and then post your original document to the Legalisation Office. The fee is 30 GBP per document for the standard service or 75 GBP for the premium (faster) service.
The FCDO will attach the apostille certificate to your document and return it to you by post (or courier for premium service). Standard processing takes approximately 2-5 working days after receipt. The premium service offers same-day or next-day turnaround.
If the country where you need to use your document is not a member of the Hague Convention, you need to go through a two-stage process:
This double-legalisation process can take several weeks and cost significantly more than a simple apostille. Plan well in advance if you need documents legalised for use in a non-Hague country.
Important: Some countries that ARE members of the Hague Convention may still require embassy legalisation for certain types of documents or in specific circumstances. Always check with the receiving organisation in the destination country to confirm exactly what legalisation they require.
The FCDO charges 30 GBP per document for the standard service and 75 GBP per document for the premium service. If your document needs to be notarised first, the notary public's fee is separate and typically ranges from 50 to 150 GBP per document depending on the notary and the complexity. Embassy legalisation fees vary by country, typically 20 to 100 GBP per document.
For the FCDO apostille alone: 2-5 working days (standard) or same-day/next-day (premium). If notarisation is needed first, add 1-3 days. If embassy legalisation is also required, add the embassy's processing time, which varies from 1 day to 2 weeks depending on the embassy.
The FCDO cannot apostille a plain photocopy. However, if a solicitor or notary public certifies the photocopy as a true copy of the original and signs it, the FCDO can then apostille the solicitor's or notary's certification. This is a common and accepted approach.
Yes. Since Brexit, UK public documents used in EU member states generally require an apostille, as the previous EU regulations on document recognition no longer apply to UK-issued documents. Check the specific requirements of the EU country where your document will be used.
Yes. Several commercial services act as agents, handling the entire legalisation process on your behalf. They charge a fee on top of the FCDO and embassy fees but can save you time and ensure the process is done correctly. This can be particularly useful if you need multiple documents legalised or if the process involves embassy legalisation with complex requirements.