Apostille vs. Embassy Attestation: What’s the Difference?
An apostille is a certification issued by the UK Legalisation Office that verifies your documents (e.g., birth certificate, Certificate of No Impediment) for use in over 120 countries part of the Hague Convention, like France, Spain, or Australia. It’s usually enough for these countries.
Embassy attestation, however, is an additional step required by some countries—typically those not in the Hague Convention, such as the UAE, Qatar. This involves the foreign embassy in the UK (or their consulate) further verifying your apostilled documents to meet their specific legal standards.
So, whether you need embassy attestation depends on where you’re getting married.
Do You Need Embassy Attestation for Your Wedding Abroad?
If You’re Marrying in a Hague Convention Country
Good news! If your wedding is in a country that signed the Hague Convention (e.g., Italy, Greece, Cyprus, USA), an apostille is typically all you need for documents like your birth certificate or Certificate of No Impediment (CNI). No embassy attestation is required, as these countries trust the apostille process.
Examples of Hague Countries: Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Turkey.
If You’re Marrying in a Non-Hague Convention Country
If your wedding is in a country not part of the Hague Convention, you’ll likely need both an apostille and embassy attestation. After getting your documents apostilled by the UK Legalisation Office, you must submit them to the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the UK for further authentication.
Examples of Non-Hague Countries: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Indonesia.
For instance, if you’re marrying in Dubai, your apostilled CNI and birth certificate will need attestation by the UAE Embassy in London to be valid.
How to Check Your Destination’s Requirements
Requirements vary, even among Hague countries, so always confirm with:
- The foreign embassy or consulate of your wedding country in the UK.
- Your wedding planner or local marriage authority abroad.
- A professional UK apostille service provider, who can guide you on both apostille and attestation.
Pro Tip: Some Hague countries (e.g., Italy) may request translations or extra steps, but embassy attestation is rare unless specified.
Common Documents for Your Marriage Abroad
These UK documents often need apostille (and possibly embassy attestation):
- Birth Certificate: Proves identity and age.
- Certificate of No Impediment (CNI): Confirms you’re free to marry.
- Divorce Decree or Death Certificate (if applicable): Verifies eligibility if previously married or widowed.
If embassy attestation is needed, these must first be apostilled, then submitted to the relevant embassy.
How to Get Embassy Attestation (If Required)
Simply order online through our website or contact us directly — we’ll handle the entire process for you, from apostille to embassy attestation, so your documents are ready for use abroad without the hassle.
Do You Need Attestation for UK Recognition?
If you want your marriage recognised in the UK, you may need to apostille or attest your foreign marriage certificate post-wedding, depending on the country. Contact us now
Ready for Your Dream Wedding Abroad?
Whether you need just an apostille or full embassy attestation, getting your UK documents ready for your international wedding has never been easier. Don’t let paperwork steal your sparkle — confirm your destination’s requirements and team up with your trusted 1st Apostille service to sail through the process stress-free. Contact us today to get started.