Which Documents Can Be Legalised?

You can have documents legalised if they have been issued by:

• A court, bearing an official wet-ink court seal
• A public registry, such as a birth, marriage or death certificate, or a company certificate issued by Companies House
• A UK government department, signed by an authorised official (e.g., a confirmation of tax registration letter)
• A registered medical practitioner, such as a doctor-signed medical certificate.
  Please note: for express apostille services, doctors must be registered with the FCDO so their signature can be verified.
  

Documents Certified by a UK Public Official

Other documents can also be legalised, provided they have been certified by a UK public official, such as a notary public or a solicitor.

Important: UK solicitors must be registered with the FCDO so their signatures can be officially verified.

Examples include:

• Private documents such as powers of attorney, contracts, or qualification certificates
  
• Certified copies of documents such as a passport, driving licence, or other personal records
  

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list. Many other UK-issued or UK-certified documents can be legalised, provided they meet official FCDO requirements.

• Choose the suitable apostille type — decide whether your document requires a paper-based apostille (physical submission) or an e-Apostille (digital submission). Make sure the document type and the recipient’s requirements match the option you select.
• Follow the submission instructions — if you choose a paper-based service, send your original document by post or courier to the address provided. For an e-Apostille, simply upload your PDF file through our secure online portal.
• Check apostille quantity — some documents must be legalised individually (each with its own apostille), while related documents can sometimes share a single apostille per set. Always confirm this with the requester to avoid reprocessing.
• Respect requester’s preferences — if the receiving authority specifically requires a paper-based apostille, use that option even if your document qualifies for an e-Apostille. This ensures smooth acceptance and prevents unnecessary delays.