📄 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 £85 all-inclusive. Next-day return from £135.
FCDO-Registered Service
From £85 All-Inclusive
Same-Day FCDO Submission
120+ Countries Covered
Next Day from £135
Get a Free Quote
We’ll respond within 2 hours during business hours
No obligation. No payment required to enquire.
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🛂
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🌍
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👶
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💼
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⚖️
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 ProceedingsPackages & Prices
Birth Certificate Apostille — Fixed Prices
All packages include the FCDO government fee (£40), document pre-checking, and status updates. No hidden costs.
Most Popular
Standard Apostille
FCDO apostille only — for Hague Convention countries that don’t need translation
£85
per document
What’s included
- ✓ FCDO Apostille (includes £40 gov fee)
- ✓ Document pre-check before submission
- ✓ Status updates throughout
- ✓ Return by tracked post or collection
⏱ Est. 72hrs / 3–5 working days
Next-Day Apostille
Same-day FCDO submission — apostille returned next working day
£135
per document
Everything in Standard, plus
- ✓ Same-day FCDO submission (arrive by 10am)
- ✓ Apostille returned next working day
- ✓ Priority document pre-check
- ✓ Express tracked return courier
⏱ Next working day
Apostille + Translation
FCDO apostille plus certified translation — country-ready in one service
POA
depends on language
Everything in Standard, plus
- ✓ FCDO Apostille (same-day submission)
- ✓ Certified translation (40+ languages)
- ✓ Translation arranged in parallel
- ✓ One point of contact throughout
⏱ Est. 4–6 working days
Volume discounts for 5+ documents. Contact us for a bespoke quote.
How It Works
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.
1
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.
2
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.
3
FCDO Apostille
Documents received by 5pm are submitted to the FCDO the next working day. For same-day submission, documents must arrive by 10am.
4
Returned to You
Apostilled certificate returned by tracked post, courier, or available for collection. Standard: 72hrs. Next-day service: collectible next working day at 4pm.
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.
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.
✉️ Online / Email
Complete our free enquiry form or email info@legalisation.services.
🚶 In Person (Drop-Off)
Drop your birth certificate at our City of London office Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00. No appointment needed.
📦 By Courier
Send by same-day or next-day courier. Documents must arrive before 10am for same-day FCDO submission.
📮 By Royal Mail Special Delivery
Use Royal Mail Special Delivery so your certificate is trackable. Recommended 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.
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.
📋 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 require the full long-form certificate for marriage abroad, citizenship, and adoption. We advise on which version your destination country requires.
🌍 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.
🏛️ 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. 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.
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 | 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. |
| 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.
| Service | What’s Included | Price (per doc) | Turnaround | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Apostille | FCDO apostille (incl. £40 gov fee) + pre-check + tracked return | £85 | 72hrs / 3–5 working days | 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 | £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. We send a confirmation email with your invoice and payment link after submission.
Card Payment
All major cards accepted in our City of London office. No extra charges or surcharges apply.
Online — Secure Payment Link
After FCDO submission, we send a secure PayPal payment link. No PayPal account required.
Bank Transfer
Pay direct to our UK bank account. Bank details are provided on your invoice after we confirm your order.
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.
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Pre-Check Before Every Submission
Every certificate is checked before we submit to the FCDO. Wrong certificate type? 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.
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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.
⚖️
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.
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. 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.
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.
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. If you only have a copy, we can order a replacement GRO certificate at £60.
All 120+ countries that have signed the 1961 Hague Convention accept an FCDO apostille — including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, USA, Australia, UAE, and China (which joined the Convention in November 2023). For countries outside the Hague Convention (such as Qatar and Kuwait), additional embassy legalisation is required after the apostille.
It depends on your destination country. Many countries require a certified translation of your apostilled birth certificate — Spain, Italy, UAE, China, and Germany are common examples. We arrange certified translations in over 40 languages alongside your apostille.
The FCDO government fee is £40 per document. This fee is included in all our quoted prices — our standard all-inclusive price starts at £85 per birth certificate, and our next-day service is £135. 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. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00.
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, online payment via secure PayPal link, 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. Welsh birth certificates are issued through the same GRO England and Wales system and are also fully accepted.
Get Started Today
Ready to Apostille Your UK Birth Certificate?
Free no-obligation quote. Fixed prices. Same-day FCDO submission available. From £85 all-inclusive. Next day from £135.