Find answers to common questions about FCDO apostille, document legalisation, and embassy attestation services. If your question isn't answered here, please contact us directly.
FCDO apostille is an official UK certification that authenticates the origin of a public document. It's required for UK documents to be recognized internationally under the Hague Apostille Convention. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issues apostilles for documents from the UK, making them legally valid for use in over 170 countries worldwide.
Yes, FCDO apostille is recognized in 170+ countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. This includes all EU countries, USA, Canada, Australia, and most other countries worldwide. Apostille is a standardized international certification, making your UK documents legally valid for use abroad in any Hague Convention country. Check with the receiving country's embassy if you're unsure whether apostille is required.
FCDO apostille is a standardized international certification recognized globally in 170+ countries under the Hague Apostille Convention. It's issued by the UK government and is universally recognized. Embassy attestation is specific to individual countries and is issued by the relevant country's embassy in the UK. It's typically used for bilateral recognition only (between two specific countries) and is not recognized in other countries. FCDO apostille is faster, cheaper, and more widely recognized. We recommend apostille unless a specific country requires embassy attestation.
Any UK public document intended for use abroad may need apostille, including: birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, educational qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certificates), teaching credentials, professional licenses, powers of attorney, company documents (articles of incorporation, board resolutions, certificates of good standing), court orders, police clearance certificates, and medical records. Privately issued documents (contracts between individuals, invoices, employment letters from private companies) typically do not require apostille unless specifically demanded by the receiving country.
For most services, you can provide scanned copies, photographs, or digital files of your documents. We can issue apostilles based on certified copies. However, some receiving authorities may require apostilles on original documents. If original documents are required, we can provide a service where we authenticate copies and issue apostilles accordingly. Contact us with your specific needs and we'll advise the best approach for your situation.
Yes, we can issue apostilles for certified copies of documents. If you have a certified copy from a solicitor or notary, we can apostille that certified copy. The apostille will apply to the certified copy itself. If you need apostilles on multiple certified copies, we can arrange that. Some countries accept apostille on certified copies, while others require apostille on the original. We advise on the best approach for your destination country.
Damaged or illegible documents can sometimes be challenging, but we can advise on solutions. Options include: (1) Requesting a duplicate original from the issuing authority (best option), (2) Obtaining a certified true copy from a solicitor or notary, (3) Getting an attested statement from the issuing authority confirming the document's authenticity. We'll assess your specific situation and recommend the best course of action. Contact us with details and we'll advise without obligation.
Standard FCDO apostille costs £50 per document (5-7 working days). Expedited processing (24-48 hours) is £100 per document. Same-day processing is £150 per document. Bulk discounts are available for 10+ documents (£40 each). All prices include digital delivery. Physical delivery by courier is available at additional cost. Request a quote for your specific needs.
Standard FCDO apostille processing takes 5-7 working days. We offer expedited services for urgent requests that are processed within 24-48 hours. Same-day submission options are available if your documents reach our London office before 2 PM. Processing times may vary during busy periods, but we always meet our quoted timelines.
Yes, we offer fully online services. You can submit documents via email, our secure portal, or WhatsApp. We accept digital copies, scanned documents, and photographs of originals. We provide certified digital apostilles that are legally equivalent to physical apostilles and are recognized internationally. No need to visit our London office unless you prefer in-person service.
Yes, we can provide digital apostilles for electronic documents, PDF files, and scanned copies. Digital apostilles are legally equivalent to physical apostilles and are fully recognized internationally. They can be delivered via email or downloaded from our secure portal immediately upon completion. No physical courier is required. Digital apostilles are ideal for remote clients and international use where paper documents are impractical.
You have multiple convenient options: (1) Email your documents to [email protected], (2) Use our online secure portal at legalisation.services/submit, (3) WhatsApp/call us at +44-020-3538-2848, (4) Visit our London office in person at Legalisation Services, Mandarin Mgmt, 1 Cornhill, London. For physical documents, you can post them to our London office with a prepaid return envelope. Once received, we'll process immediately and keep you updated on progress.
Delivery options depend on your preference: (1) Digital delivery via email (fastest, immediate upon completion), (2) Download from secure portal (available 24/7), (3) Physical delivery by Royal Mail (2-3 days), (4) Courier delivery (next day), (5) In-person collection from our London office. Digital delivery is included in all prices. Physical delivery incurs additional courier charges. For international clients, we typically recommend digital delivery for speed and cost-effectiveness.
Our London office is open Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM. We accept document submissions 24/7 via email, portal, and WhatsApp. For urgent requests or out-of-hours assistance, please WhatsApp or call +44-020-3538-2848 and we'll arrange priority processing. Weekend and evening services are available for expedited requests at no additional charge beyond the expedited service fee.
No, FCDO apostille is specifically for UK documents only. However, if you need apostille for documents from other countries, we can refer you to the appropriate authorities. For example: US documents need apostille from the US State Department, Australian documents from the Australian government, Canadian documents from provincial authorities, etc. We specialize in UK document legalisation but can advise on international options. Contact us for referrals to trusted partners worldwide.
Yes, absolute confidentiality is guaranteed. We are registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) for data protection compliance. All client information, documents, and communications are handled with strict confidentiality. We use secure encryption for digital submissions and locked storage for physical documents. Your data will never be shared with third parties without your explicit consent. We comply with GDPR and all UK data protection regulations.
We provide guidance on whether documents require apostille and the best documentation approach for specific countries. However, we are not solicitors and cannot provide legal advice. For legal questions about document requirements, immigration implications, or contract interpretation, we recommend consulting with a qualified solicitor. We work closely with legal professionals and can refer you to trusted advisors if needed. Our role is to authenticate and legalise documents, not to interpret their legal implications.