Document Legalisation Guide
General guidance on Apostille, embassy legalisation, and notarisation requirements.
For guidance only - always verify with FCDO and the relevant embassy
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Please Verify Requirements
This tool provides general guidance only. Requirements can change and may vary based on your specific circumstances. Always confirm current requirements directly with the FCDO, the relevant embassy or consulate, and the receiving authority in your destination country before proceeding.
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Understanding Document Legalisation
Key concepts explained
Apostille
An official FCDO certificate that authenticates UK documents for use in 128 Hague Convention member countries. No embassy visit needed.
Embassy Legalisation
Required for non-Hague countries. After the Apostille, the document must be stamped by the destination country's embassy in London.
Notarisation
Some documents need a UK notary or solicitor to certify them before the FCDO will issue an Apostille. Required for non-official documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is an official certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that authenticates documents for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. It eliminates the need for embassy legalisation in 128 member countries.
What is the difference between Apostille and embassy legalisation?
An Apostille is sufficient for Hague Convention member countries (128 countries). Non-member countries require additional embassy legalisation, where the document must be stamped by their embassy in London after receiving the Apostille.
How long does legalisation take?
Standard FCDO Apostille takes up to 15 working days. E-Apostille takes 2 working days. Embassy legalisation adds 5-15 additional working days depending on the country. Total time for non-Hague countries is typically 15-25 working days.
Do I need a certified translation for legalisation?
Many countries require documents to be in their official language or English. If your document needs translation, it should be certified and may also need to be notarised before legalisation. The translation can be apostilled separately or together with the original document.
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