Who can certify documents for an apostille in the UK? A UK solicitor or notary public can certify many private documents and copies before they are legalised. Certain official UK originals — including eligible birth, marriage and death certificates — may go straight to the FCDO Legalisation Office without a solicitor or notary first.
The key distinction: A solicitor or notary can authenticate a signature or certify an appropriate document; the FCDO issues the apostille. An apostille verifies an eligible signature, stamp or seal, not the truth of the document's contents. Check whether the overseas recipient wants an original, a certified copy or a particular professional's signature before paying for certification. Official GOV.UK guidance.
Who is authorised to certify documents for an apostille?
For many UK apostille applications involving private documents or certified copies, the relevant professional will be a UK notary public or UK solicitor. Their qualifying signature may be checked by the FCDO as part of legalisation. These roles are different from the FCDO's role as issuing authority.
UK solicitor
A solicitor can certify an eligible copy, sign a declaration or witness a document where appropriate. Passport copies, academic certificates and some private agreements may follow this route. Ask if the recipient specifically requires notarisation instead.
UK notary public
A notary can authenticate signatures, certify copies and perform notarial acts for overseas use. Some receiving authorities ask for a notary rather than a solicitor, particularly for powers of attorney or corporate documents.
Issuing public authority
Eligible documents already issued or signed by a UK public registry, court, government department or other recognised official may be submitted directly. They do not automatically need a separate solicitor's stamp.
FCDO Legalisation Office
The FCDO checks relevant UK signatures, stamps or seals and issues the paper apostille or eligible e-Apostille. Solicitors, notaries and commercial service providers do not issue UK apostilles themselves.
What about teachers, accountants or other professionals? They may certify copies for some everyday administrative purposes, but this does not make their certification automatically suitable for FCDO legalisation. The general certified-copy guidance and apostille rules are not interchangeable.
Which documents need certification before an apostille?
The correct step depends on the document's issuing authority, whether it is an original or a copy, the signature already on it and the instructions of the organisation abroad. The following examples describe typical UK routes rather than guaranteed requirements.
| Document type | Typical preparation |
|---|---|
| UK birth, marriage or death certificate | An eligible original or official registry copy can generally go directly for an FCDO paper apostille. General Register Office certificates cannot receive an e-Apostille. |
| Passport or driving licence copy | A certified copy will commonly need a UK solicitor or notary's eligible signature before apostille legalisation. |
| University degree or diploma | May require certification by a solicitor or notary. Check the issuing institution, original and receiving authority's instructions. |
| Power of attorney or signed declaration | Frequently needs signing, witnessing or notarisation. The recipient may specifically insist on a notary. |
| Private contract or company agreement | Often needs an eligible solicitor/notary signature. Certain official Companies House records can instead be legalised directly. |
| Court order or signed medical certificate | Some eligible court-sealed or doctor-signed documents can be legalised directly, depending on the recognised UK signature or seal. |
| Certified translation | Not every translated document needs an apostille. Where requested, establish whose signature on the translation needs authenticating and whether a solicitor or notary must be involved. |
Foreign-issued documents: the UK FCDO cannot apostille an original document issued abroad. Contact the competent authority in its country of issue, and separately check whether the receiving organisation needs a translation.
When can a document be apostilled without solicitor certification?
If an original document carries a qualifying signature or seal from a recognised UK public authority, additional certification may be unnecessary. Examples can include UK registry-issued birth and marriage certificates, Companies House certificates, appropriately sealed court records, and some documents signed by a recognised UK official.
Don't over-certify: Paying for a solicitor to certify a document that can be legalised directly may add cost without meeting an additional requirement. Equally, an overseas authority can insist on a particular original or notarial form. Ask the recipient what it accepts before beginning.
For a UK public document going abroad, first check whether the Legalisation Office can accept it directly. If the receiving organisation wants a certified copy rather than an original, make that distinction explicit when preparing the application.
How do you certify and apostille a document in the UK?
Check the receiving rules
Confirm the destination country, recipient's requirements, original or certified copy, paper or electronic format and whether translation is needed.
Arrange certification if needed
Where the document is not directly eligible, obtain the appropriate UK solicitor or notary signature. Do not assume every document needs both.
Apply for legalisation
Use the official FCDO online service for a paper apostille or an eligible e-Apostille. Follow its submission and delivery instructions.
- Check that names, dates, pages, signatures and seals match the intended document.
- Ask the receiving organisation whether it accepts a certified copy or demands the original.
- Confirm whether translation is needed before or after the apostille is attached.
- For destinations outside the applicable Hague Apostille arrangements, check whether consular legalisation is additionally required.
You can apply directly through GOV.UK. Using a third-party provider for preparation or handling is optional.
Does a translated document need certification or an apostille?
Not always. A certified translation supports the accuracy and completeness of translated wording. An apostille authenticates an eligible public signature, stamp or seal. The receiving organisation decides whether it needs a certified translation alone, an apostille on the original, or legalisation of a qualifying signature associated with the translation.
Certified translation requested
Some applications accept a properly certified translation without notarisation or an apostille. Check the precise translation statement and delivery format specified by the recipient.
Apostille on the source document
The recipient may want the original UK document legalised first and a translation of the completed pack afterwards, perhaps including the apostille page.
See whether your translation needs an apostille and the difference between a certified translation and an apostille.
Can a document receive an e-Apostille?
Qualifying PDF documents electronically signed by a UK solicitor or notary can be eligible for an e-Apostille. However, GRO birth, marriage and death certificates, ACRO police certificates and DBS certificates are among the types excluded from the UK electronic route. Also check whether the foreign recipient accepts an e-Apostille; some require paper.
Frequently asked questions about apostille certification
Can I certify my own documents for an apostille?
No. If the application requires a qualifying solicitor or notary signature, self-certification will not satisfy that requirement. Some eligible originals issued by UK authorities need no separate certification.
Can a solicitor issue an apostille?
No. A UK solicitor can certify or sign appropriate documents before legalisation, but the FCDO Legalisation Office issues the actual apostille.
Does an apostille need a notary public?
Not in every case. Some originals can be legalised directly; other documents may be certified by a solicitor or notary. A foreign recipient may specifically request a notarial act.
Who can certify a passport copy for an apostille?
A UK solicitor or notary can commonly certify an appropriate copy. Confirm whether the receiving authority requires a particular type of professional certification.
Can the FCDO apostille a foreign birth certificate?
No. The document ordinarily needs legalisation from the competent authority in the country where it was issued. Translation requirements are separate.
Will an apostille guarantee acceptance abroad?
No. An apostille authenticates the origin of an eligible public signature, stamp or seal; the receiving organisation still decides whether the document meets its requirements.
Related guides
Need help preparing documents for use abroad?
Send the document type, issuing country, destination and exact wording of the receiving authority's request. Locate Translate can discuss translation and legalisation handling options.
Provider information: Locate Translate Limited is included on the FCDO's published next-day legalisation service-provider list. The listing does not mean Locate Translate itself issues government apostilles or guarantees acceptance or processing time for every submission.