Apostille Translation Services in the UK
Prepare documents for use overseas with the right combination of translation, certification and apostille handling. We help you understand the required steps before documents are submitted for legalisation.
- Certified translation options
- FCDO apostille coordination
- Country-specific requirements reviewed
Apostille-ready documents
We check the requested legalisation route and preparation requirements before a submission is arranged.
Translation, notarisation and apostille are different services.
They may form part of one overseas-document process, but not every document needs all three. Check the receiving authority’s requirements before choosing the sequence.
Certified translation
A faithful translation accompanied by an agreed accuracy statement and translator or agency details. Certification requirements vary by country and authority.
Notarisation
A notary may authenticate a signature, certified copy or other act when requested. This is not automatically required for every UK apostille.
Apostille
The FCDO Legalisation Office checks an eligible signature, stamp or seal and issues the official apostille. It does not validate the document’s statements.
Apostille coordination for documents going abroad.
Personal certificates, qualifications, legal papers and corporate records can have different preparation requirements. Some may be eligible as original UK public records, while others need a solicitor or notary signature first.
We can review the document type, destination and translation needs and confirm the available steps, handling service and any documents that must be posted.
From your documents to the right legalisation route.
Rather than assume that translation always comes first, we check what should be legalised and what needs translating.
Send your requirements
Share the document types, issuing country, destination authority, language pair and deadline. We review clear copies to establish the scope.
Confirm the preparation
We identify any required certified translation, notarisation or other pre-legalisation step and confirm the price and handling method.
Arrange legalisation
The agreed documents follow the eligible apostille route. We confirm the arrangements for completed documents and any further destination-specific requirements.
Make sure you’re arranging the right certification.
Tell us where the documents were issued and where you will submit them. We’ll help scope translation and apostille handling.
Which UK apostille format can you use?
The FCDO offers paper-based and electronic apostilles for eligible documents. The correct choice depends on the document and the organisation receiving it.
For physical documents
Documents are submitted through the paper-based legalisation process. Original or suitably certified documents may be needed. Paper apostilles are necessary for certain records that cannot use the e-Apostille route.
For qualifying electronic documents
Eligibility is limited. The FCDO requires a PDF electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor, and excludes some document types including General Register Office certificates and ACRO police certificates.
Understand what is included in your quote.
Government legalisation fees are separate from translation, notarial work, handling, courier or other destination-specific formalities.
One scope, with the steps explained.
We confirm your document eligibility, translation needs, certification, handling and any return delivery before the service starts.
All-inclusive project price confirmed on enquiryNo fixed final price is assumed for every document or destination. Registered-business urgent routes have separate eligibility and scheduling rules.
FCDO published fees
Government fees per document, as shown by GOV.UK when reviewed in November 2026. The FCDO also has restricted registered-business services. Postage, courier, agency handling, translation and notarial fees can add to the total.
Published government processing times vary. Standard paper legalisation can take considerably longer than digital legalisation; urgent registered-business arrangements are not automatically available.
Check current government fees and timesListed by the FCDO: Locate Translate Limited appears on the government’s published next-day legalisation service-provider list. Inclusion is not government endorsement and does not guarantee the availability or outcome of a particular application.
Find the right guidance for your documents.
Start with the UK apostille process, or explore requirements for specific documents and overseas destinations.
Start with the essentials
The basic rules behind UK apostilles and document preparation.
By document or destination
More focused help for certificates, legal records and international use.
Apostille and document translation FAQs.
What is an apostille?+
An apostille is an official certificate issued by the relevant legalisation authority to authenticate a public official’s signature, stamp or seal on an eligible document. It does not certify the content of the document or guarantee acceptance by the recipient.
Who issues a UK apostille?+
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Legalisation Office issues apostilles for eligible UK documents. Private providers can assist with preparation and submissions, but do not issue the apostille themselves.
Do I need translation, notarisation and an apostille?+
Not necessarily. Some documents require only an apostille; others need a certified translation, a notarial step, separate legalisation, or a combination. The receiving authority’s instructions determine which documents and sequence are required.
Can an e-Apostille be used for a birth or marriage certificate?+
The FCDO says e-Apostilles cannot currently be used for General Register Office birth, death, marriage, civil partnership and adoption certificates. An eligible paper-based apostille may be required instead.
Can you legalise a document issued outside the UK?+
A UK apostille service generally does not legalise documents issued by another country. Documents usually need to be legalised in their country of issue, with further steps depending on the destination.
How long does apostille legalisation take?+
FCDO published processing times vary by service: standard paper apostilles are typically considerably slower than e-Apostilles. Registered-business next-day arrangements have eligibility conditions, and postal or courier time is additional. We confirm any available handling route when reviewing your documents.
Does the apostille itself need translating?+
Only if the receiving authority requires a translation of the apostille wording. Some authorities may request a translation of the full legalised document including stamps and certificates; confirm this before arranging the sequence.
Can an apostille be used in every country?+
No. An apostille facilitates recognition among relevant Hague Apostille Convention participants. Other destinations can require additional embassy, consular or foreign ministry legalisation.
How much does apostille translation cost?+
The total can include government legalisation fees, translation, optional notarisation, provider handling and postage. The exact fee depends on your documents, country, required certification and urgency.
Do I have to provide my original document?+
Not always. The correct form depends on the document, whether a paper or electronic apostille is eligible and the receiving authority’s requirements. Provide clear scans for assessment; we will confirm if an original or certified copy is necessary.
Tell us about your apostille documents
Share the document type, issuing country, destination authority, language and deadline. We will confirm the requirements and what to send next. You can also contact hello@locatetranslate.co.uk.