What is legalisation?

In the UK, legalisation is a process whereby the signature, stamp, and seal on an official document is checked by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Once checked, it is then issued with an apostille, certifying that it has been legalised.nnLegalisation means that documents issued in the UK can be used abroad - and vice versa.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate that verifies that a document has been legalised. In the UK, apostille certificates are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).nnApostille certificates are used by 124 nation states, worldwide. Each of these countries issue their own apostille certificates and accept those of others.nnApostille certificates contain a range of information about the document they are issued in relation to. This includes the country of issue, document type, the name of the signee, and an official stamp or seal, among other information.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is the governmental department responsible for the issuing of apostille certificates in the UK. It is otherwise known as the Apostille Office.

What is the Apostille Convention?

The Apostille Convention, otherwise known as the Hague Convention, is an international treaty.nnThere are 124 contracting nation states of the Apostille Convention. These countries issue their own apostille certificates and accept the apostilles of other contracting states.

What is consular legalisation?

Consular legalisation is the process whereby a document is legalised by a consulate or embassy - in addition to legalisation by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).nnThis is necessary for countries that are not contracting states of the Apostille Convention and, as a result, do not issue or accept apostille certificates.

What kinds of documents might I need to be legalised?

All kinds of documents need to be legalised, in order to be deemed valid for use overseas. Documents types that are more commonly legalised are:n n t birth certificates n t death certificates n t marriage certificates n t property deeds n t qualifications (degrees, diplomas, etc.) n

Why might I need to have a document legalised?

Legalisation means that documents issued in the UK can be used abroad - and vice versa. There are many reasons why you might want to use documents overseas. Some common examples are:n n t to get married in another country n t to buy or sell overseas property (or other asset) n t to claim inheritance in another country n t to apply for and accept work overseas n t for foreign visa applications n t for overseas tax filing purposes n

FAQs

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions regarding legalisation and apostille certificates.

What is legalisation?
In the UK, legalisation is a process whereby the signature, stamp, and seal on an official document is checked by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Once checked, it is then issued with an apostille, certifying that it has been legalised.

Legalisation means that documents issued in the UK can be used abroad – and vice versa.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that verifies that a document has been legalised. In the UK, apostille certificates are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Apostille certificates are used by 124 nation states, worldwide. Each of these countries issue their own apostille certificates and accept those of others.

Apostille certificates contain a range of information about the document they are issued in relation to. This includes the country of issue, document type, the name of the signee, and an official stamp or seal, among other information.
What is the FCDO?
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is the governmental department responsible for the issuing of apostille certificates in the UK. It is otherwise known as the Apostille Office.
What is the Apostille Convention?
The Apostille Convention, otherwise known as the Hague Convention, is an international treaty.

There are 124 contracting nation states of the Apostille Convention. These countries issue their own apostille certificates and accept the apostilles of other contracting states.
What is consular legalisation?
Consular legalisation is the process whereby a document is legalised by a consulate or embassy – in addition to legalisation by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

This is necessary for countries that are not contracting states of the Apostille Convention and, as a result, do not issue or accept apostille certificates.

Find out more about Consular Legalisation.
What kinds of documents might I need to be legalised?
All kinds of documents need to be legalised, in order to be deemed valid for use overseas. Documents types that are more commonly legalised are:
- birth certificates
- death certificates
- marriage certificates
- property deeds
- qualifications (degrees, diplomas, etc.)
Why might I need to have a document legalised?
Legalisation means that documents issued in the UK can be used abroad – and vice versa. There are many reasons why you might want to use documents overseas. Some common examples are:
- to get married in another country
- to buy or sell overseas property (or other asset)
- to claim inheritance in another country
- to apply for and accept work overseas
- for foreign visa applications
- for overseas tax filing purposes