Overseas employers, immigration offices and licensing bodies requesting an apostilled ACRO Police Certificate are not simply asking for a piece of paper. They are asking for a specific form of internationally authenticated evidence - one that confirms the document was signed or stamped by a recognised UK official. Understanding what the apostille actually does, and why the process requires an original, makes the whole thing considerably less confusing.
What the apostille actually does
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issues an apostille by authenticating the wet-ink signature, seal or stamp of the issuing officer on the document. That is the full extent of what it confirms. The apostille tells the receiving authority abroad that the signature, seal or stamp on the document belongs to a recognised UK official - nothing more. It does not assess the content of the certificate, comment on whether a person has a criminal record, or make any broader statement about the document's accuracy.
Why the original is the only acceptable form
Because the FCDO is authenticating the wet-ink signature, seal or stamp on the document, it must be able to see and verify that signature, seal or stamp in its original form. A photocopy, scan or digital file carries no original signature, seal or stamp - only a reproduction of one. There is nothing for the FCDO to authenticate. This is why photocopies and digital files are rejected without exception, and why no amount of solicitor or notary certification resolves the issue for ACRO certificates - the original must be submitted directly.
What to do if your original is lost or damaged
If the original certificate has been lost, damaged, or is no longer in a condition suitable for submission, it must be replaced before legalisation can proceed. Replacement certificates are ordered directly from the ACRO Criminal Records Office. Two service levels are available: a standard service taking approximately twenty working days, and a premium service taking approximately two working days for urgent timelines such as an imminent visa appointment or employment start date.
Check the condition of your certificate before submitting
Before posting the original to the FCDO, check it carefully. The certificate should be undamaged, clearly legible throughout, and free from heavy folds or tears. If the signature, seal or stamp has been obscured or damaged in any way, the FCDO will be unable to authenticate it and the application will be rejected. In any case of doubt, ordering a replacement is the right decision.
Hague Convention countries and non-Hague destinations
For countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention - including most of Europe, the USA and Australia - the apostille is the final step. For countries outside the Convention, such as the UAE and Qatar, the apostilled certificate must also go through embassy attestation in London before it will be accepted by the receiving authority. Confirm the requirements of your destination before submitting.
Get the process right from the start
Call our team on +44 (0) 204 646 9500 to confirm whether your certificate is in the correct condition for submission and what your specific destination requires. We manage the full process from document checking through to apostille and embassy attestation where needed.