Apostille Services
Our UK apostille service covers personal, business and official documents
Whenever you need to use a UK document abroad, the receiving country will usually ask for proof that it is genuine. For countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, that proof is an apostille. At Premium Legalisation Services, we check, prepare and submit your documents, so they come back correctly apostilled and ready to use.
What is an apostille?
Put simply, an apostille is an official certificate that confirms the signature, seal or stamp on a public document is genuine. In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The system comes from the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. As a result, a document that has been through a UK apostille service is accepted in more than 120 member countries without any further legalisation.
Which documents can be apostilled?
The FCDO can apostille documents signed by a UK public official, such as birth, marriage and death certificates, court documents and police checks. In addition, many other documents can be apostilled once a UK solicitor or notary public has certified them. For example, this includes degree certificates, transcripts, passports, company documents, powers of attorney and commercial invoices.
How our UK apostille service works
1. Document check. First, we review your documents and confirm what the destination country needs.
2. Certification. If required, a UK solicitor or notary public certifies the document or copy.
3. FCDO submission. Next, we submit your documents to the FCDO for the apostille.
4. Return. Finally, we send your apostilled documents back to you, ready for use abroad.
Standard or premium apostille?
Our UK apostille service comes in different speeds, so you can choose the one that suits your deadline. Both prices include solicitor certification and the FCDO apostille.
Standard apostille: £75 – ready in 3–4 working days.
Premium apostille: £115 – ready in 2 working days, for urgent documents.
Irish DFA apostille: £90 – for Irish documents, through the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (2–3 weeks).
Optional extras include Royal Mail Special Delivery return (£15) and a scan of your legalised documents by email (£10). Simply choose your service below, or contact us if you are not sure which one you need.
Do you need an apostille or embassy attestation?
Countries that are not part of the Hague Convention, such as the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, usually need more than an apostille. In that case, your document must also be attested by the country’s embassy in London. Find out more about our embassy attestation service.
- Apply Online
- Standard UK Apostille
- UK FCDO Apostille Certificate - Standard
- For all UK documents that need to be apostilled/legalised by the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Inc solicitor's certifications, if needed.
- Service fee: £75 per document
- Service time: 3-4 working days
- Premium UK Apostille
- UK FCDO Apostille Certificate - Premium
- For all UK documents that need to be apostilled/legalised by the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Inc solicitor's certifications, if needed.
- Service fee: £115 per document
- Service time: 2 working day.
- Irish DFA Apostille
- Irish DFA Apostille Certificate - Premium
- For all Irish documents that need to be apostilled/legalised by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
- Service fee: £90 per document
- Service time: 2-3 weeks
- Special Quotes
- Notes
- ACCA Certificate has to be certified on it’s original document, therefore certified copy can not be made.
- FAQ
What is an apostille?
In simple terms, an apostille is a certificate issued by the FCDO that confirms a UK public document is genuine. Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention accept it without further legalisation.
How much does a UK apostille cost?
Our standard UK apostille service costs £75 and our premium service costs £115. Both prices include solicitor certification and the FCDO apostille. For Irish documents, our Irish DFA apostille service costs £90.
Who issues apostilles in the UK?
In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). As part of our UK apostille service, we submit your documents to the FCDO for you and return them once they are apostilled.
Which countries accept an apostille?
More than 120 countries in the Hague Apostille Convention accept apostilles. However, countries outside the Convention, such as the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, usually need embassy attestation as well.
Does my document need to be certified first?
It depends on the document. For example, certificates issued by the General Register Office can usually be apostilled directly. On the other hand, degrees, passports and most company documents must first be certified by a UK solicitor or notary public.
Can you apostille a copy of my document?
Yes, in most cases, as long as the copy is certified by a UK solicitor or notary public. However, some documents must be certified on the original. For instance, an ACCA certificate cannot be legalised as a certified copy.
What is the difference between the standard and premium apostille service?
Both services give you the same FCDO apostille, and both prices include solicitor certification. The difference is speed. Our standard service costs £75 and takes 3–4 working days. On the other hand, our premium service costs £115 and takes 2 working days, so it is the better choice when your documents are urgent.
How long does it take to get an apostille?
Our standard apostille service takes 3–4 working days, and our premium service takes 2 working days. Irish DFA apostilles usually take 2–3 weeks. In addition, please allow time for return delivery.
Can you apostille Irish documents?
Yes. We arrange apostilles for Irish documents through the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. Simply choose our Irish DFA Apostille service above.