What is an apostille stamp?
An apostille stamp is issued or attached to a public document to show it has been apostilled and is authentic. In the UK, an apostille is a certificate, not a single ink mark placed on the public document. The FCDO currently provides both paper-based apostilles and electronic apostilles (e-Apostilles). The apostille only verifies the signature, seal and stamp. It doesn’t verify the authenticity of the document's content, such as names, dates, addresses, and other information. For example, an apostille on your birth certificate confirms that the issuing authority's signature matches its official records. If the signature doesn’t match, the document is invalid and will be rejected.
The apostille does not translate the document or replace a certified translation where one is required. It also doesn’t automatically make every document acceptable to the receiving authority. The receiving authority can still decide whether the document meets its own requirements.
What does the apostille look like?
A UK paper apostille is an official certificate attached to the document, while an e-Apostille is issued electronically. The UK apostille usually contains the following information:
Country where the apostille was issued
The name of the person whose signature is being apostilled/authenticated
The capacity or position of the signatory
The details of the seal and stamp being authenticated
The place where the apostille was issued
The date the apostille was issued.
A unique apostille reference number
The official stamp or seal that identifies the issuing authority
When would I need an apostille service?
You generally need an apostille service when the receiving authority abroad requests one. An apostille service provider handles the authentication process and, when translation is needed, also translates the apostilled document and delivers it to you. Authorities abroad often request an apostille for the following purposes:
Getting married abroad
If you are getting married abroad, civil registries often ask you to submit a birth certificate or certificate of no impediment to apply for a marriage license. The UK issues these documents, and you must apostille them before submitting them to the destination country. For example, if you are getting married in Germany as a UK citizen, you must submit an apostilled UK CNI, alongside other documents like a birth certificate. You must also have the documents translated into German by a sworn translator before submitting them in Germany.
Registering a birth abroad
If you had a child in the UK and need to register the birth abroad, you need to provide UK birth certificates to local authorities. These documents often need an apostille depending on the receiving authority's requirements.
Applying for work or teaching positions abroad
If you are moving abroad for work, an employer or other organisation may ask for proof of your qualifications. These documents may need to be apostilled before they can be accepted. For example, a UK-qualified teacher applying to teach in another country may need to submit their UK degree or teaching qualification with an apostille. You may also need a certified translation if the receiving authority requires documents in its official language.
Purchasing property overseas
Local authorities, a solicitor or a property representative may require UK-issued legal documents to be apostilled. For example, if you are buying a property in Spain but cannot attend the transaction in person, you may give someone power of attorney to act on your behalf. The UK-issued power of attorney may need to be notarised, apostilled and translated into Spanish before it can be used in Spain.
Conducting international business
Companies may need an apostille for corporate documents, powers of attorney or other paperwork when doing business abroad. This is often required when opening an overseas bank account, establishing a company, or completing an international business transaction.
Note: Depending on the receiving authority’s requirements, your apostilled documents may need certified or sworn translation. The translation applies to the apostilled document and doesn’t verify authenticity; it translates the content. If you need a certified translation for an official application, check our certified translation services in the UK.
How can I get an apostille with the FCDO in the UK?
You can apply for an apostille in the UK directly through the FCDO Legalisation Office or use a professional service provider.
Use an FCDO-registered apostille service provider
Companies provide UK apostille services for various documents and countries. The services help you receive an apostille without visiting the FCDO office or using the online channels available. This is useful if you want a professional to handle the process, from checking your documents and arranging certification or notarisation to submitting documents to the FCDO and returning them to you. It also helps if you are busy or outside the UK. For time-sensitive submissions, using a provider reduces the risk of mistakes that cause delays. FCDO-registered service providers offer a next-day turnaround for apostilles, compared with up to 25 working days if you apply for a paper copy yourself. We return most UK apostilles in 3-4 working days via the FCDO business counter and up to 7 working days if the document needs notarising first. See our UK apostille turnaround times and pricing.
Apply directly through the UK government
The UK provides a direct application channel for an apostille through the FCDO. You can apply for the paper or e-Apostille through the FCDO Legalisation Office. If you need a paper apostille, you must send your documents via post or in person. For e-Apostille applications, you can upload your documents as PDF files electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor. The e-Apostille turnaround time is 2 working days, while a paper copy takes about 25 working days. The FCDO charges £45 for a standard paper apostille and £35 for an e-Apostille (plus courier costs for paper returns).
How the UK apostille process works
The UK apostille process starts with confirming that the documents can be legalised before you apply online. The process includes:
Check that your document can be legalised
The FCDO can legalise certain documents issued by UK courts, public registries, government departments and registered professionals. Other documents may first need certification by a UK public official, such as a notary.
Check the receiving authority's requirements
Find out whether you need an original document, a certified copy, notarisation, a paper apostille or an e-Apostille.
Apply online
Submit your application through the official UK government legalisation service and pay the applicable fee.
Submit your documents
For a paper-based apostille, post your documents to the Legalisation Office. For e-Apostille applications, upload eligible documents electronically as PDFs.
The FCDO checks the document
The Legalisation Office checks the signature, seal or stamp against its records. If it matches, the Legalisation Office apostilles the document.
Receive your apostilled document
The FCDO or competent apostille agency returns paper-based documents by post or courier. An e-Apostille is provided electronically, and you can download and share it digitally.
For paper-based apostilles, the apostille certificate is attached to the document. The exact format can vary depending on whether you receive a paper apostille or an e-Apostille.
Note: You cannot get an e-Apostille for:
Birth, death, marriage, civil partnership and adoption certificates, or any other document from the General Register Office
ACRO police certificates for England and Wales
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificates for England and Wales
Disclosure certificates for Scotland and Northern Ireland
Fingerprint certificates
Membership certificates for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Do I need to notarise my documents with a notary public before apostilling them?
You must notarise private or personal documents before you can apostille them. Documents that fall under this category include:
Powers of attorney
Contracts
Qualification certificates
Certified copies of passports
Certified copies of driving licences
Notarisation matters because private papers like contracts or affidavits don't carry government seals. The notary adds an official signature, stamp, and seal, which the apostille-issuing authority can legally verify.
What kinds of documents do not require notarisation?
Public documents issued by government agencies do not require notarisation before you can get an apostille. These include certain documents issued by UK courts, public registries, government departments and registered professionals. We most often apostille marriage certificates, birth certificates, and degree certificates. These documents already have official signatures, seals, or stamps, which the apostille authenticates, so they qualify for a direct apostille service.
How is a seal or stamp used to determine that a public document is genuine?
The FCDO checks the signature, seal or stamp on the document against records held by the relevant authority. If the details match, the FCDO can authenticate the document by issuing an apostille.
For example, if you need to use a UK birth certificate abroad, the FCDO checks the signature, seal or stamp against the records of the General Register Office (GRO) or the relevant local register office. If the details match, the FCDO can issue an apostille confirming that the signature, seal or stamp is genuine.
The apostille therefore confirms the origin and authenticity of the signature, seal or stamp, rather than verifying the contents of the document.
Do I need embassy or consulate legalisation?
If the receiving country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you generally do not need embassy or consulate legalisation for your documents. These countries accept apostilled documents issued by another member country.
If the receiving country is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, you will usually need to legalise your documents. The relevant embassy or consulate handles the legalisation process.
For example, if you are a UK citizen and need to submit a UK birth certificate in Germany, you will need an FCDO apostille because Germany is a member of the Hague Convention. If you are submitting a UK birth certificate in the UAE, the traditional route is FCDO legalisation, then attestation by the UAE Embassy in London, and sometimes attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE.
Note: The UAE acceded to the Hague Convention in 2025, so apostille acceptance may be changing; confirm the UAE's current requirements before proceeding.
As of September 2026, 130 Contracting Parties are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Always confirm the current members or request the requirements from the receiving authority before proceeding with any legalisation process.
Who can issue an apostilled document in the UK?
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office issues UK apostilles. Professional apostille service providers can help you prepare and submit documents, but they do not issue the official apostille themselves. The relevant competent authority issues the apostille.
Do you need a UK apostille without the 25-day wait? Translayte handles the full process, document checks, notarisation where needed, FCDO submission, and return, with certified translation if your destination requires it. Request a quote to get started.
