When a UK-qualified teacher, nurse, doctor, engineer or other skilled professional accepts an overseas role, the foreign employer, licensing body or immigration authority will typically require a set of authenticated UK documents before employment can begin. Getting the right documents legalised in the right format - and in time - is one of the most practical things to sort out after accepting an offer. Here is what is typically required and what needs to happen to each document.
Identity documents
A certified passport copy is almost always required. Because an apostille is a physical paper certificate attached to the back of the document, an original passport cannot be submitted - a UK solicitor or Notary Public must certify a copy first, and that certified copy is what the FCDO apostilles. Birth and marriage certificates issued by the GRO or equivalent registries can go directly to the FCDO without solicitor certification, as they carry the official registrar's signature or seal.
Professional qualifications
Degrees, PGCEs, QTS certificates, NMC, GMC and HCPC documents, and training certificates are all private documents - they do not carry a government signature the FCDO can directly verify. Every one of these must be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before submission to the FCDO. The FCDO then authenticates the solicitor's or notary's wet-ink signature, seal or stamp.
Background checks
A DBS certificate must always be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before FCDO submission - it cannot be submitted directly. An ACRO Police Certificate carrying a wet-ink signature from an authorised official of the issuing authority can be submitted directly to the FCDO. Both are paper apostille only - neither is eligible for the e-Apostille service.
Employment documentation
Employment contracts, offer letters, experience letters and references are private documents and must all be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before FCDO submission. The FCDO cannot authenticate a document that carries no official signature or seal of its own.
Professional licences
NMC, GMC and HCPC registration documents and teacher registration certificates fall into the same category as qualifications - solicitor or notary certification required before submission. For destination countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention, all apostilled documents must also go through embassy attestation in London. Allow at least four to six weeks for the full process if embassy attestation is required.
Start early
Visa applications, licensing approvals and employment start dates can all be affected by documentation delays. Call our team on +44 (0) 204 646 9500 to confirm what is needed for your specific destination and profession, and we will manage the process.