Do I need the original birth certificate for an apostille?

Yes, in almost all cases you need the original GRO-issued birth certificate, not a photocopy. For UK births, this means a certificate issued by the General Register Office (GRO) or the local register office — not a hospital-issued short form certificate. If you've lost your original, we can order a replacement from the GRO at £60 — no GRO account is required and processing time is 72hrs. We pre-check every document before FCDO submission to confirm it qualifies.

How long does it take to apostille a birth certificate in the UK?

Standard processing takes 72 hours from receipt of your birth certificate at our City of London office. We offer same-day FCDO submission (documents received by 11am), with the apostille typically returned the next working day. This makes our next-day service one of the fastest in the UK.

Can I apostille a certified copy of a birth certificate?

Only if it is an official GRO-certified copy — meaning it was issued directly by the General Register Office or a UK register office. Certified copies made by a solicitor, notary, or 'true copy' stamps do not qualify for FCDO apostille. The FCDO apostilles the registrar's original signature on the official certificate.

Which countries require an apostille on a birth certificate?

Any country that has signed the 1961 Hague Convention — including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the UAE, USA, Australia, China, India, and over 120 others — accepts an FCDO apostille on a UK birth certificate. For countries outside the Hague Convention (such as Qatar and Kuwait), additional embassy legalisation or attestation may be required after the apostille. We advise on your specific destination country before you proceed.

Do I need a translation alongside the apostille?

It depends on the destination country and authority. Many countries (Spain, Italy, UAE, China) require a certified translation into their official language alongside the apostilled certificate. The apostille itself does not require translation. We can arrange certified translations in over 40 languages alongside your apostille as part of our combined service.

What is the FCDO fee for apostilling a birth certificate?

The FCDO government fee is £40 per document for business customers (the rate we use). This is included in all our quoted prices — there are no hidden government charges on top. Our standard apostille-only service for a birth certificate starts at £79 all-inclusive.

How do I pay for the apostille service?

We accept card payment (all major cards, no extra charges), online payment via a secure Paypal link sent after submission, bank transfer, WeChat Pay, and Alipay. Payment is not required upfront — we send an invoice after confirming your order.

📄 UK Birth Certificate Apostille

Apostille Birth Certificate
UK — Fast, Fixed Price,
City of London

We apostille UK birth certificates for use in 120+ countries — marriage abroad, visa applications, overseas adoption, dual nationality, and more. Same-day FCDO submission from our Guildhall EC2V office. From £79 all-inclusive. Next-day return from £135.

FCDO-Registered Service

From £79 All-Inclusive

Same-Day FCDO Submission

120+ Countries Covered

Next Day from £135

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Who We Help

Why You Might Need an Apostille on Your Birth Certificate

A birth certificate apostille is one of the most commonly requested documents for international use. Here are the most frequent reasons our clients come to us.

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Marriage Abroad

Most countries require an apostilled UK birth certificate when marrying abroad — including Spain, Italy, France, UAE, Australia, and the USA. Some authorities also require a certified translation.

Common destinations

SpainItalyUAEUSAAustralia

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Visa & Immigration Applications

Spouse visas, family reunification, and immigration applications frequently require an apostilled birth certificate as proof of identity and family relationships.

Common visa types

Spouse VisaFamily ReunificationSettlement

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Dual Nationality & Citizenship

Claiming citizenship by descent — Italian, Irish, Spanish, German, and others — almost always requires an apostilled UK birth certificate as the foundation of your ancestry chain.

Common applications

Italian CitizenshipIrish CitizenshipEU Citizenship

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Overseas Adoption

International adoption processes require extensive apostilled documentation, including birth certificates of the adopting parents, as part of the home study and country dossier.

Documents needed

Parent Birth CertificatesMarriage Certificate

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Working or Relocating Abroad

Some employer contracts and work permit applications abroad — particularly in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa — require an apostilled birth certificate as part of your employment documentation.

Common destinations

UAESaudi ArabiaQatarChina

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Legal & Inheritance Matters

Inheritance claims, probate proceedings, and legal actions in foreign courts often require apostilled UK birth and death certificates to establish family relationships and entitlements.

Typical uses

Probate AbroadInheritance ClaimsLegal Proceedings

Packages & Prices

Birth Certificate Apostille — Fixed Prices

All packages include the FCDO government fee (£40), document pre-checking, and status updates. No hidden costs.

From Birth Certificate to Apostille in Four Steps

A straightforward process — we handle the FCDO submission so you don't have to queue or wait.

Submit Enquiry

Tell us your destination country and purpose. We confirm exactly what's needed and provide a fixed all-inclusive quote — free of charge.

Send Your Certificate

Post, courier, or hand-deliver your original birth certificate to our City of London office. We pre-check it before submitting to avoid rejection.

FCDO Apostille

Documents received by 5pm are submitted to the FCDO the next working day. For same-day submission, documents must arrive by 10am. Translation arranged in parallel if required.

Returned to You

Apostilled certificate returned by tracked post, courier, or available for collection. Standard: 72hrs. Next-day service: collectible Tuesday 4pm if received Monday morning.

Submission Methods

How to Send Us Your Birth Certificate

We accept documents via several channels. For same-day FCDO submission, your document must reach our office by 10am.

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Our Address: Blackwell House, Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 (excluding Bank Holidays). For same-day FCDO submission, documents must arrive by 10am. Documents received after 5pm will be processed and submitted by the third working day.

✉️ Online / Email

Complete our free enquiry form or email [email protected]. Our team will confirm your requirements, provide a fixed quote, and advise on the best submission method.

🚶 In Person (Drop-Off)

Drop your birth certificate at our City of London office Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00. A document checking service is available on arrival (discretionary; charges may apply). No appointment needed.

📦 By Courier

Send by same-day or next-day courier. Documents must arrive before 10am for same-day FCDO submission. We will notify you on receipt and process immediately.

📮 By Royal Mail Special Delivery

Use Royal Mail Special Delivery so your certificate is trackable. For same-day submission, ensure delivery before 10am. We recommend Special Delivery for the compensation cover on original documents.

Key Requirements

What You Need to Know Before Sending

Getting the right certificate type matters. The FCDO will reject documents that don't meet their requirements — we check before you waste time or money.

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You Need an Official GRO-Issued Certificate — Not a Photocopy or Hospital Certificate

The FCDO can only apostille the original registrar's signature on a GRO-issued birth certificate. Hospital-issued birth notifications, photocopies, and laminated certificates are all rejected. If your certificate is old, torn, or a non-official copy, we can order a replacement from the GRO at £60 — no GRO account is required and processing time is 72hrs. We can also advise on which version you need.

📋 Short Form vs Long Form — Which Do You Need?

The UK issues two versions: a short-form birth certificate (showing only name, date, and place of birth) and a full long-form certificate (showing parents' details). Many foreign authorities — particularly for marriage abroad, citizenship, and adoption — require the full long-form certificate. We advise on which version your destination country requires before you order from GRO.

🌍 Do You Need a Translation as Well?

Many countries require a certified translation of your apostilled birth certificate into their official language. Spain, Italy, Germany, UAE, China, and most non-English-speaking countries require translations. We arrange certified translations in over 40 languages alongside your apostille, so you receive one complete, country-ready package.

🏛️ Is Your Country Outside the Hague Convention?

The FCDO apostille is accepted in 120+ Hague Convention countries — including China, which joined the Convention in November 2023. For remaining non-Hague countries — such as Qatar, Kuwait, and some African and Central Asian states — embassy legalisation or attestation is required after the apostille. We provide end-to-end legalisation services for non-Hague countries too. Contact us to confirm what's needed for your specific destination.

📅 How Old Can the Certificate Be?

There is no expiry date on a UK birth certificate — a certificate from 1960 is valid for apostille in 2025. However, some foreign authorities impose their own time limits on apostilled documents (e.g. requiring apostille issued within 6 months). Always check the current requirements with the authority you're submitting to, and we'll confirm the implications before you order.

Document Guide

Birth Certificate Types — What the FCDO Accepts

Not all birth certificates qualify for FCDO apostille. This table explains what we can and cannot process.

Certificate Type	FCDO Apostille	Notes
GRO Full (Long-Form) Birth Certificate	Accepted	Most widely accepted by foreign authorities. Shows parents' details. Recommended for marriage abroad, citizenship, adoption.
GRO Short-Form Birth Certificate	Accepted	Accepted by the FCDO, but some foreign authorities require the long-form. Confirm with your destination authority first.
Replacement GRO Certificate (ordered online)	Accepted	Valid for apostille. We can obtain it for you at £60 — no GRO account required, 72hr priority processing available.
Scottish Birth Certificate (NRS-issued)	Accepted	Issued by National Records of Scotland. Accepted by FCDO — process is identical.
Northern Ireland Birth Certificate (GRO NI)	Accepted	Issued by GRO Northern Ireland. Accepted by FCDO.
Hospital-Issued Birth Notification	Not accepted	Not an official GRO certificate. Must obtain GRO-issued certificate before apostille.
Photocopy or Scanned Copy	Not accepted	FCDO requires original certificates only. We pre-check before submission.
Solicitor-Certified True Copy	Not accepted	Solicitor certification does not qualify the copy for FCDO apostille.

Full Price Breakdown

Birth Certificate Apostille — All-Inclusive Pricing

All prices include the FCDO government fee (£40 per document). No hidden charges. Charged in Pound Sterling, inclusive of VAT.

Service	What's Included	Price (per doc)	Turnaround
Standard Apostille	FCDO apostille (incl. £40 gov fee) + pre-check + tracked return	£79	72 hours	Standard
Next-Day Apostille	Same-day FCDO submission + next-day return + express courier	£135	Next working day	Urgent
Apostille + Translation	FCDO apostille + certified translation (40+ languages)	POA	4–6 working days	Combined
GRO Replacement Certificate	GRO-issued replacement birth certificate (if you need a new one)	£60	72hrs (GRO)	Add-on
5+ Documents	Volume discount — contact us for bespoke pricing	Contact us	Agreed on enquiry	Volume

All prices are all-inclusive — the FCDO government fee is included. No hidden charges.

Payments

How to Pay — Flexible Options, No Upfront Payment

Payment is not required until we have confirmed your order and submitted to the FCDO. We then send a confirmation email with your invoice and payment link.

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Card Payment

All major cards accepted in our City of London office. No extra charges or surcharges apply.

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Online — Secure Payment Link

After FCDO submission, we send a secure PayPal payment link. No PayPal account required — pay by card online.

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Bank Transfer

Pay direct to our UK bank account. Bank details are provided on your invoice after we confirm your order. Please include proof of payment with your application.

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WeChat Pay & Alipay

We accept WeChat Pay and Alipay. Contact us and we will provide a QR code and invoice.

Why Choose Us

The Fastest, Most Reliable Apostille Service in the City

We've processed thousands of birth certificate apostilles for clients going to 120+ countries. Here's why solicitors, adoption agencies, and individuals trust us.

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Same-Day FCDO Submission — City of London

We're based at Guildhall Yard EC2V, minutes from the FCDO submission point. Documents received by 10am are submitted the same day — no delays, no overnight storage.

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Pre-Check Before Every Submission

Every certificate is checked before we submit to the FCDO. Wrong certificate type? Short form when long form is needed? We catch it first — saving you rejection delays and replacement costs.

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Translations in 40+ Languages

We arrange certified translations in Spanish, Italian, Arabic, French, German, Mandarin, and over 40 other languages — coordinated alongside your apostille in a single service.

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Status Updates Throughout

You'll know exactly where your birth certificate is at every stage — received, pre-checked, submitted, apostilled, and returned. No chasing, no guessing.

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Trusted by Law Firms & Adoption Agencies

Immigration solicitors, family law firms, and international adoption agencies across the UK rely on us to handle their clients' birth certificate apostilles correctly, first time.

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All-Inclusive, Fixed Prices

Our prices include the £40 FCDO government fee. No surprises at checkout — what we quote is what you pay, with nothing added on top.

Client Reviews

Trusted by Clients Across the UK and Abroad

From couples marrying in Italy to families claiming Italian citizenship — here's what clients say.

★★★★★

"Needed my birth certificate apostilled for an Italian citizenship application. The team confirmed exactly which GRO version I needed before I even sent anything. Apostille back within 4 days, Italian consulate accepted it first time."

Sarah L.

Italian Citizenship by Descent — London

★★★★★

"Getting married in Spain — needed birth certificates apostilled with Spanish translation for both of us. Legalisation.Services handled everything together and got us documents back in 5 days. Couldn't have been simpler."

James & Emma R.

Marriage in Spain — Birmingham

★★★★★

"We use them for all our clients' birth certificate apostilles. Fast, reliable, and they always flag any issues with the certificate before submission. Exactly what a busy immigration practice needs."

Rachel T.

Immigration Solicitor — Manchester

Frequently Asked Questions

Birth Certificate Apostille UK — Common Questions

Yes, in almost all cases you need the original GRO-issued birth certificate — not a photocopy. This means a certificate issued directly by the General Register Office (GRO) or a UK register office. Hospital-issued birth notifications and solicitor-certified copies do not qualify. If you've lost your original, we can order a replacement from the GRO at £60 — no GRO account is required and processing time is 72hrs. We check every document before FCDO submission and will advise you if there's a problem.

Standard processing takes approximately 72hrs from the day we receive your birth certificate at our City of London office. Our next-day service involves same-day FCDO submission (documents must arrive by 10am), with the apostille collectible the next working day at 4pm — for example, a document received on Monday morning is ready Tuesday afternoon. This makes our expedited service one of the fastest available in the UK.

Only if it is an official GRO-certified copy — issued directly by the General Register Office or a UK register office. A 'true copy' certified by a solicitor or notary does not qualify, because the FCDO apostilles the original registrar's signature on the official certificate. If you only have a copy, we can order a replacement GRO certificate at £60 — no GRO account is required and processing time is 72hrs.

All 120+ countries that have signed the 1961 Hague Convention accept an FCDO apostille — including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal, USA, Australia, UAE, China (which joined the Convention in November 2023), India, and many others. For countries still outside the Hague Convention (such as Qatar, Kuwait, and some African states), additional embassy legalisation is required after the apostille. We advise on your specific destination before you proceed so you know exactly what's needed.

It depends on your destination country and the specific authority you're submitting to. Many countries require a certified translation of your apostilled birth certificate — Spain, Italy, UAE, China, and Germany are common examples. The apostille certificate itself does not need to be translated. We arrange certified translations in over 40 languages alongside your apostille, so you receive one complete, ready-to-submit package.

The FCDO government fee is £40 per document (the business customer rate). This fee is included in all our quoted prices — our standard all-inclusive price starts at £79 per birth certificate, and our next-day service is £135. Many competitors quote a lower headline price and add the government fee on top. Our prices are always all-inclusive.

You can send your original birth certificate by Royal Mail Special Delivery, courier, or drop it off in person at our City of London office (Blackwell House, Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE). For same-day FCDO submission, documents must arrive by 10am. Documents received by 5pm on a working day are submitted to the FCDO the next working day. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 (excluding Bank Holidays).

Payment is not required upfront. After we confirm your order and submit your document to the FCDO, we send a confirmation email with an invoice and payment link. We accept all major cards (in person, no surcharge), online payment via a secure PayPal link (no PayPal account needed), bank transfer, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.

Yes. Certificates issued by National Records of Scotland (NRS) and by GRO Northern Ireland are both accepted by the FCDO and the apostille process is identical. Welsh birth certificates are issued through the same GRO England and Wales system and are also fully accepted.

Apostille Birth CertificateUK — Fast, Fixed Price,City of London

Get a Free Quote

Why You Might Need an Apostille on Your Birth Certificate

Birth Certificate Apostille — Fixed Prices

From Birth Certificate to Apostille in Four Steps

How to Send Us Your Birth Certificate

What You Need to Know Before Sending

Birth Certificate Types — What the FCDO Accepts

Birth Certificate Apostille — All-Inclusive Pricing

How to Pay — Flexible Options, No Upfront Payment

The Fastest, Most Reliable Apostille Service in the City

Trusted by Clients Across the UK and Abroad

Birth Certificate Apostille UK — Common Questions

Ready to Apostille Your UK Birth Certificate?

Apostille Birth Certificate
UK — Fast, Fixed Price,
City of London