Fast. Reliable. Affordable Document Legalisation

Next Day Apostilles, Consular Legalisation, Embassy Attestation, e-Apostilles and more — all in one place

Why Do You Need an Apostille?

If you're dealing with a country that is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, an Apostille eliminates the need for embassy or consular legalisation—making your documents immediately valid abroad.

Whether you're managing international business, pursuing education overseas, or handling personal matters such as marriage or residency, an Apostille ensures your documents are legally recognised worldwide.

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Documents we legalise

We handle the legalisation of a wide variety of documents at 1st Apostille , such as:

  • Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates
  • HMRC Documents
  • ACRO Criminal Records
  • Educational Certificates (Degrees, Diplomas)
  • Notarised Documents
  • Power of Attorney etc

Need something else? Contact us for a free consultation.

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How to Legalise Your Documents

Before legalising your document, confirm whether your destination country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention

  • If the country is a member – An apostille is all you need; no further embassy legalisation is required
  • If the country is not a member – You may need embassy attestation or other legalisation steps. Contact the relevant embassy or consulate for confirmation


For the most up-to-date information, visit the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) official list.



Make sure your documents meet FCDO legalisation requirements as outlined in our All Documents Guide.

  • Check eligibility – Only UK-issued or UK-certified documents can be apostilled in the UK.
  • Get certification if needed – Arrange notarisation or solicitor certification for documents that require it (e.g., passport copies, academic records).
  • Need help? Contact our Help Centre for expert advice before sending your documents.

Choose your apostille service option and send your documents to us, clearly including the order number provided in your confirmation email.

  • Check compliance – Ensure your documents meet FCDO requirements.
  • Certification – Arrange solicitor or notary certification if required (we can assist with this).
  • Need help? Contact our Help Centre for quick expert support.

For non-Hague Convention countries, we can handle embassy attestation Embassy Attestation page.
To proceed:

  • Select your apostille service option.
  • Ensure your documents meet FCDO requirements.
  • Arrange solicitor or notary certification if required (we can help with this).
  • Send your documents to us with the order number from your confirmation email.
  • For advice at any stage, contact our Help Centre for expert support.

You’ll receive your apostilled documents by post or, where applicable, by email (e-Apostille).

  • For Hague Convention countries – No further steps are needed once the apostille is applied.
  • For non-Hague Convention countries – Your documents may also require embassy attestation. We can manage this process after obtaining your apostille. Learn more on our Embassy Attestation page.

To get started:

  1. Select your apostille service option.
  2. Ensure documents meet FCDO requirements.
  3. Arrange notarisation or solicitor certification if required (we can help).
  4. Send your documents with the order number from your confirmation email.

For help at any stage, contact our Help Centre.

How Our Apostille Service Works

Simple. Fast. Trusted.

  1. Order and Pay Online: Select apostille service and post your document.
  2. Certify (If Needed): We'll arrange certification if your document requires it.
  3. FCDO Submission: We submit your documents to the FCDO Legalisation Office.
  4. Receive Document: Get your legalised document delivered within 1-3 working days via Royal Mail or DHL
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Important Information – Preventing Potential Delays

Please read the following information to prevent potential delays to your order. Only send in the documents you require to be legalised.

If you are submitting a document that has been certified, please include contact details for the signatory, including their email address and place of practice. This is essential should we need to contact them to verify the signature. If your document is bound by a notarial or a solicitor cover sheet, you must check the requirements of the individual underlying documents.

If you are submitting a document that has been signed by a medical practitioner, please include contact details for the signatory within your application, including their email address and place of practice. This is essential should we need to contact them to verify their signature.

Please ensure that all education ertificates presented for legalisation are signed, certified and dated by a UK solicitor or notary public, or by an official of the British Council. If certified by the British Council then it must be an original educational qualification certificate, please check with your local British Council first as this service is not available at all locations.

Please note that under no circumstances can we accept photocopies of UK birth/death/marriage/civil partnership/adoption certificates, nor can we accept photocopies of police/disclosure certificates issued by ACRO, Disclosure Scotland, Access NI or DBS. This includes photocopies of these documents attached to other documents or under a certified cover sheet.

If you are submitting an original marriage certificate that has been signed by a Minister of Religion or an Authorised Person, please include contact details for either the signatory or the location the ceremony was held, including their email address. This is essential should we need to contact them to verify the signature.

We are unable to legalise laminated or hard-backed documents as it is not possible to securely attach the apostille certificate. In order to legalise the document, the laminate or hard backing will need to be removed, or a replacement document will need to be obtained without these features.

Where documents contain multiple pages, all the pages must be included when submitting the document for legalisation. All pages referenced by a certification must be submitted. Incomplete documents will not be accepted.

Verifying a Doctor or Solicitor for FCDO Legalisation

To ensure a document certified by a UK doctor or solicitor can be legalised by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), follow these steps:

For Doctors:
Send us the doctor’s full name and GMC registration number and we can verify whether they are eligible for legalisation.

For Solicitors:
Send us the solicitor’s full name and SRA registration number and we can verify whether they are eligible for legalisation.

No solicitor? We can arrange solicitor certification for your documents if required.

💡 Need help?
Provide us with the professional’s details, and we can:

  • Check their registration with the GMC or SRA
  • Confirm eligibility with the FCDO before you submit your documents
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Need Some Help? – Speak to a UK Apostille Expert Today

Not sure if your document qualifies for an apostille or embassy legalisation? Need advice on translations, solicitor certification, or urgent processing? Our friendly UK-based team is here to help.

  • Calls answered in under 10 seconds – speak to a real expert almost instantly.
  • Free pre-order advice – we’ll confirm document eligibility before you pay.
  • Worldwide delivery – we can send your apostilled or attested documents anywhere.
  • Extra services – we can order replacement certificates (e.g., birth, marriage, ACRO police checks) on your behalf to speed up the process.

Call us today for quick, expert support.

Email us for a same-day reply.

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Why Choose 1st Apostille for Your Apostille Needs?

When it comes to legalising your documents for international use, you need a partner that’s fast, reliable, and professional. At 1st Apostille, we stand out as the UK’s premier choice for apostille services, embassy attestation, and certified translations. Here’s why thousands of clients trust us to make their global dreams a reality in 2025.

  • Fast 24-Hour Apostille Services

    Time is precious, and we get it. Our 24-hour apostille service ensures your documents—be it birth certificates, marriage records, degrees, or business contracts—are legalised and ready for use. No delays, no stress, just results.

  • Fully Registered with FCDO

    As an FCDO-registered provider, we adhere to the highest standards set by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Your documents are processed with precision, ensuring they’re recognised worldwide without question.

  • Comprehensive Embassy Attestation

    Planning to work or marry in non-Hague countries like the UAE, Qatar, or Vietnam? Our embassy attestation services cover every step—from solicitor certification to FCDO apostille and embassy stamping. We handle the complexities, so you don’t have to.

  • Expert Document Translation

    Language barriers? Not with us. Our certified translation services ensure your documents meet the linguistic requirements of your destination country, whether it’s Spanish for a wedding in Mexico or Arabic for a job in Dubai.

  • Customer-First Approach

    We’re more than a service—we’re your partner. With transparent pricing, real-time digital tracking, and eco-friendly e-apostille options, we make the process seamless. Our experienced team stays updated on 2025 regulations, including post-Brexit changes, to keep your plans on track.