You can get UK documents legalised if they have been issued by:

• Court – sealed with a wet-ink court seal. Examples: court orders, divorce decrees, probate documents, bankruptcy orders, and witness statements.
• Public registry – such as a birth, marriage or death certificate, or a company certificate issued by Companies House. Examples: birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, civil partnership certificates, adoption certificates, company incorporation certificates, and certificates of good standing.
• Government department – signed by an official, such as a letter confirming tax registration. Examples: HMRC tax registration letters, export licences, Home Office immigration status letters, Defra veterinary certificates, and DVLA documents.
• GMC-registered doctor – such as a medical certificate signed by a doctor. Examples: medical fitness certificates, vaccination records, doctor’s letters for travel or work, and GP-signed medical reports.

You can also get other documents legalised if they are certified by a UK public official such as a notary public or solicitor. Examples include:

• Powers of attorney, contracts, qualification certificates.
• Certified copies of passports, driving licences, and other identification documents.

This is not a complete list — many other UK-issued documents can be apostilled if they meet the legalisation requirements.

There are two types of apostille:

• Paper-based apostille – send your documents by post or dopp off in person. Examples: original birth certificate, ACRO police certificate, degree certificate in hard copy.
• Electronic apostille (e-Apostille) – upload PDF files electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor. Examples: scanned and notarised copy of a passport, solicitor-certified PDF of a contract, notarised academic transcript in PDF format.

You can apply for both types online. However, you may need a paper-based apostille if:

• The requesting party requires it. Example: a foreign embassy or consulate that only accepts paper documents with a physical apostille seal.
• Your document type is not eligible for an e-Apostille. Example: a marriage certificate issued by the General Register Office.
  

Before proceeding, check if they require:

1. A paper-based apostille or if an e-Apostille is acceptable (if available for your document). Examples:

• A foreign university may accept an e-Apostille for a notarised PDF of your academic transcript.
• A government ministry overseas may insist on a paper-based apostille for an original birth certificate.

2. A single apostille for a group of documents, or a separate apostille for each document. Examples:

• A set of degree certificates and transcripts might be bound together and issued under one apostille.
• Some immigration offices may require each document — such as a passport copy, police certificate, and marriage certificate — to have its own apostille.

We're happy to answer your questions.

We have a team of trained legalisation experts on hand to guide you through the apostille process. Whether you're unsure about how to get started, need clarification on pricing, or want to confirm which documents require legalisation, we're here to help.

Common questions we answer:

• How do I place an order?
• How much does an apostille cost?
• Which documents need legalising for my destination country?
• How long does the process take?
• What's the difference between apostille and embassy legalisation?