If you are reading this blog, you are likely wondering ‘what is legalisation?’ Essentially, legalisation is the process of authenticating a document so it can be accepted by authorities in another country. Legalisation verifies that the notary’s stamp, seal and signature are valid, so that the authorities of your destination country can be certain that your document is legitimate.
There are different forms of legalisation depending on the country you plan on going to. Apostilles are the most common, though some destinations require embassy or consulate legalisation which can come with many extra requirements.
Below, we will go into more detail about legalisation and the different forms it can take, how we can help you, and hopefully answer the question: ‘what is legalisation?’
Apostilles
To begin, we will discuss the most common form of legalisation: the apostille.
Apostilles are certificates that are issued to documents to legalise them. It is a relatively quick process to get an apostille, especially when it is compared to other forms of legalisation.
In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with there being companies such as ourselves who are registered to apply for apostilles on the behalf of clients.
They were originally introduced by the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention as a more convenient way for people to travel between countries with their important documents.
Over time, more countries have become signatories to the convention and adopted apostilles, so that now the majority of countries accept them.
Visit our guide to apostilles and FCDO services to learn more and see a current list of countries that accept them.
Embassy and consulate legalisation
Next, there are embassy and consulate legalisation processes. They are essentially the same thing, but the name differs on whether you use an embassy or a consulate.
One example of a popular location for people from the UK to visit is the United Arab Emirates, which requires embassy legalisation.
This process involves your documents being sent to the FCDO who will issue them with an apostille like usual, but then they will need to be sent to the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to go to, where they will be subjected to further verification. Then, your documents could be sent to authorities within the country itself for more checks.
Once your documents and the notary’s seal have been proven to be legitimate, your documents will be fully legalised.
Embassy and consulate legalisation are much longer processes than just getting an apostille, so it is good to plan ahead and ensure you have enough time to get your documents legalised before you need to travel.
If you are unsure if the country you are going to needs embassy legalisation or not, get in touch with us. We can help you.
Our services
Now we have answered ‘what is legalisation?’ we can take you through the services that we offer to assist you.
At Fast Legalisation, we offer expert services to assist you with the legalisation of your documents, regardless of whether you need an apostille or embassy and consulate legalisation.
We have helped countless clients by managing the legalisation process for them, which has given us valuable knowledge of how the different processes work. As a result, our processes are streamlined and we can answer all of your questions.
For apostilles, we offer two options: the first is standard legalisation, which takes 20 to 25 working days for your documents to be apostilled and returned by the FCDO; the second is our fast-track option, which takes 5 to 7 working days. Please note that the days can vary depending on the time of year and how busy the FCDO is.
Meanwhile, for embassy and consular legalisation, we offer bespoke services tailored to the specific country that you are going to. The number of days it takes for this process to be completed will vary due to every country having their own unique specifications, but we will keep you informed of every step taken.
Notary services
As we have previously touched on, your documents may need to be notarised before they can be legalised. Our sister company, Woodcock Notary Public, is home to two expert notaries who can assist you. They offer both in-office appointments, as well as mobile notary services where a notary comes to you.
If your documents have already been notarised, or do not require notarisation, then we can facilitate the legalisation process for you.
Get in touch with us for legalisation assistance
Are you in need of legalisation services so that you can take your important documents abroad? Then get in touch with us today.
Our helpful team is here to guide you through every step of the process and keep you updated on what stage your documents have reached. If you are unsure what type of legalisation you will need, then they can help you.
You can contact us by phone or email, or our website chatbox to discuss your needs with our friendly team.
Get in touch with us today!
FAQs
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that legalises a document for use abroad by confirming the authenticity of the signature, stamp, or seal. Many countries accept apostilles, but it’s always important to check the requirements of the receiving jurisdiction.
What is embassy legalisation?
Embassy legalisation is an additional verification process required by some countries. It usually involves submitting the document to the relevant embassy for further checks.
What is consular legalisation?
Consular legalisation is essentially the same process as embassy legalisation - the term simply varies depending on whether the document is handled by a consulate or an embassy.
Do documents need to be notarised before they can be legalised?
In some cases, yes. Our sister company, Woodcock Notary Public, can help you with this. Other UK-issued public documents (such as birth and death certificates) can be legalised without a notary’s signature.
How long does legalisation take?
Timeframes vary depending on the destination country and whether your documents require embassy or consular legalisation. We’ll provide the most accurate estimate when you book, based on your document type and where it’s being used.
For apostilles, our typical turnaround times are:
- Fast Track: 5 to 7 working days
- Standard: 20 to 25 working days