Document Legalisation Checklist

Before ordering document legalisation, follow these steps to ensure a smooth process. This guide covers eligibility, requirements, costs, and processing times for apostilles.

Step 1: Confirm Document Eligibility

Ensure your documents can be legalised. Eligible documents include those issued or certified by:

• A court with a wet ink court seal (e.g., court orders).
• A public registry (e.g., birth, marriage, death, or company certificates from Companies House).
• A government department, signed by an official (e.g., tax registration confirmation).
• A registered doctor (e.g., medical certificates).
• A UK public official, such as a notary or solicitor (e.g., power of attorney, contracts, qualification certificates, or certified copies of passports/driving licences).

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Contact us if you're unsure about your document's eligibility.

Step 2: Verify Document Requirements

Contact the recipient of your legalised documents to confirm:

• Whether they need original documents or certified copies.
• If specific signatures are required (e.g., from a UK notary or solicitor).

If notarisation is needed, arrange for a UK notary or solicitor to certify your documents before submission.

Step 3: Choose the Right Apostille Type

There are two types of apostilles:

• Paper-based Apostille: Requires sending documents by post or in-person submission (for registered businesses).
• e-Apostille: Requires uploading PDF files electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor.

Both types are applied for online. Choose based on the recipient's preference or document eligibility. e-Apostilles are not available for:

• Birth, death, marriage, civil partnership, or adoption certificates from the General Register Office.
• ACRO police certificates (England and Wales).
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificates (England and Wales).
• Disclosure certificates (Scotland and Northern Ireland).
• Fingerprint certificates.
• ACCA membership certificates.

Confirm with the recipient whether they need:

• A paper-based apostille or an e-Apostille (if eligible).
• A single apostille for a group of documents or one per document.

Step 4: Understand the Costs

Fees are charged per document. Non-eligible documents are non-refunded.

Step 5: Courier Costs for Paper-based Apostilles

Choose from the following options:

• Royal Mail Signed For: £8
• DHL/FedEx: £75

Important: Legalised documents cannot be returned to Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus. Use an alternative delivery address or opt for an e-Apostille.

Step 6: Processing Times

Note: For Restricted Urgent Service, please email  support@fasttrackapostille.co.uk to obtain pre-approval before submitting your application.

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