Apostille Services

FCDO apostille and e-Apostille services for UK documents, checked before submission and handled correctly by UK-based specialists.

  • Document pre-check to reduce rejection risk
  • Standard and express FCDO apostille options
  • Secure, tracked handling throughout
Check My Documents

At a glance

Send Document

  • Send your document details for review
  • We confirm the correct route and any certification needed
  • We submit via the right apostille format (paper or e-Apostille where eligible)
  • We return your documents by tracked delivery

Secure Handling

  • Your document (original or correctly certified copy, depending on type)
  • If required: solicitor certification or notarisation (confirmed during pre-check)
  • If required: certified translation (we advise where it fits)

Apostille Processing

  • FCDO processing capacity and chosen service type
  • Whether certification is needed before submission
  • Courier and postage time both ways
  • Errors that must be corrected before submission

Tracked Return

  • Incorrect certification wording or missing details
  • Wrong format (original vs certified copy)
  • e-Apostille files that do not meet digital signing requirements
  • Missing pages, attachments, or incomplete documents

What is an apostille and what does it confirm?

An apostille is issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to authenticate the signature, stamp or seal on a UK document for use overseas. It does not verify the document’s content.

Do you need an apostille or embassy legalisation?

Some destinations only need an apostille. Others need further embassy or consular legalisation after the apostille.

Use Check My Documents and tell us where the document will be used. We will confirm the route before submission.

What documents can be apostilled?

  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificates
  • Police clearance certificates
  • Medical or death certificates

Many UK-issued certificates can be apostilled once eligibility is confirmed. We verify this before submission.

  • GCSEs, O-Levels, National 5s
  • AS and A Levels
  • Certificates, awards and diplomas
  • Higher National Certificates and Diplomas
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Degrees: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral
  • PGCE and teaching certificates

Most educational documents require solicitor certification before the apostille can be issued. We confirm the correct route before submission.

  • Certificates of incorporation
  • Powers of attorney
  • Company resolutions
  • Financial reports and business documents
  • Invoices and contracts

Commercial documents may need solicitor certification and, for some export routes, Chamber of Commerce processing. We confirm what applies before submission.

Do you need Solicitor Certification & Notarisation

Notarisation

Notarisation is not always required. In many cases, solicitor certification is enough and is commonly needed for:

  • Educational certificates and transcripts
  • Experience letters
  • Membership certificates
  • Medical or financial documents
  • Passports and powers of attorney (copies)

Solicitor Certification

  • Personal documents: Â£19.99
  • Commercial documents: Â£29.99

If notarisation is required, we will tell you clearly and can arrange it. We assess this during the pre-check so you do not pay for unnecessary steps.

Paper apostille vs e-Apostille

Paper Apostille

There are two formats: paper apostille and e-Apostille. We confirm which is suitable based on your document, destination, and receiving organisation.

E-Apostille

There are two formats: paper apostille and e-Apostille. We confirm which is suitable based on your document, destination, and receiving organisation.

How The Process Works

1

Document review

Send your document details. We confirm eligibility, any certification needed, and the correct route.

2

Apostille processing

We submit via the correct format, paper apostille or e-Apostille where eligible. If we receive your documents by 10:00am, we aim to submit the same working day,subject to checks and availability

3

Secure return

Your apostilled document is returned by tracked delivery, ready for use.

Turnaround and pricing

Clear timelines. No guessing. We confirm the correct route before we begin.

ServiceTurnaroundPrice
Standard Apostille4–5 working days (typical)From £75 per document
Express Apostille2 working days (where available)£120 per document

Limited launch offer: Express Apostille £110 per document (Standard £75 + £35 upgrade)

Offer ends: 31st May 2026

Express cut-off: Express cut-off: documents must be received before 10:00am.

Timelines start once documents are received and checks are complete.

Prices exclude return postage. Multi-document discounts may apply

Get a Quote

Postal Handling & Security

  • Tracked return delivery
  • Secure UK-based handling
  • Clear chain of responsibility
  • Documents accounted for at every stage

Your documents are handled professionally throughout.

Why Sterling & Reeve

Document Review

We check documents before submission, not after rejection.

Certification Check

We advise when apostille is part of a wider legalisation journey.

Apostille Submission

Clear responsibility from receipt to return.

Secure Return

Solicitor certification and Chamber of Commerce coordination where required.

Get In Touch

Apostille your documents correctly, without unnecessary delays

Get a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

If it will be used outside the UK, an apostille is usually required. We confirm this during review.

No. Many original UK certificates do not. Educational and commercial documents often do.

No. In most cases, solicitor certification is sufficient. We advise if notarisation is necessary.

The apostille itself does not expire, but receiving authorities may impose validity limits.

Yes. If further legalisation is required, we can advise and handle the next steps.

No. Acceptance varies by destination and receiving authority. We confirm suitability before processing.

Use Check My Documents and we will confirm the correct steps.