Who can issue an apostille on a UK document? The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office is the UK's designated issuing authority. A solicitor, notary, translation agency or legalisation service may prepare or submit a document, but only the Legalisation Office issues the UK apostille itself.
Short answer: The FCDO authenticates the eligible UK signature, stamp or seal by checking its records and issues the official paper or electronic apostille. An apostille does not verify that the document's contents are true, authenticate a translation's accuracy or guarantee acceptance abroad. Read official GOV.UK guidance.
Who issues a UK apostille, and who can help prepare it?
The Hague Conference on Private International Law identifies the FCDO Legalisation Office as the UK's competent authority. Distinguish the formal issuer from professionals whose signatures may be legalised and agents who assist with submissions.
FCDO Legalisation Office
Issues the apostille on eligible UK public records or qualifying documents. It checks the official UK signature, stamp or seal, then issues a paper apostille or e-Apostille.
UK notary public
Can notarise or certify certain private documents or copies. A qualifying UK notary's signature may then be legalised by the FCDO. The notary does not issue the apostille.
UK solicitor
May certify or sign specified documents before legalisation when permitted. Not every public document needs a solicitor, and solicitor certification is not automatically equivalent to a notarial act.
Translation or legalisation provider
Can assist with certified translations, document preparation and applying through the permitted channels. The provider is not the government issuing authority and cannot guarantee foreign acceptance.
Locate Translate's documented role: GOV.UK's published next-day legalisation service-provider list includes Locate Translate Limited. This is evidence of a listed provider, not a claim that Locate Translate issues government apostilles, is the FCDO itself or can guarantee next-day completion for every customer. Availability and the document's eligibility must be checked.
Which UK documents can receive an apostille?
GOV.UK distinguishes original public documents from documents requiring a qualifying UK public official's signature. It is important to check the issuing authority, original-versus-copy requirement and overseas recipient's instructions before paying for certification.
Birth, death and marriage certificates
Eligible certificates from UK public registries can generally be legalised in original form. GRO civil-status certificates cannot use the e-Apostille route; paper apostilles are the relevant option when eligible.
Companies House certificates
Qualifying registry-issued company certificates can be submitted for legalisation. Privately signed corporate contracts may instead need a notary or solicitor first.
Degrees, contracts and powers of attorney
These may need certification or signing by a UK notary or solicitor before the FCDO can verify an eligible signature. Requirements depend on the type of record.
Council-tax letters or signed medical records
A council-tax letter is not automatically apostille-ready just because it comes from a council. Check whether its signature is eligible or a qualifying certification is accepted. GOV.UK lists certain signed medical certificates among eligible examples.
Foreign-issued records: the UK Legalisation Office does not apostille documents originally issued outside the UK. Ask the competent legalisation authority in the country where the source document was issued.
How do I apply for a UK apostille?
Individuals can apply directly through the official GOV.UK legalisation application; using a commercial intermediary is optional. Both paper and electronic routes begin with an online application.
Confirm the destination
Ask the overseas recipient which original or certified copy it wants, whether the apostille must be paper or electronic and if a translation is required.
Check the document
Identify the issuer and confirm whether a UK notary or solicitor must sign it before legalisation. Do not pay for notarisation without checking.
Apply via the FCDO
Use GOV.UK, pay the correct fee and follow the instructions for posting physical documents or submitting an eligible electronically signed PDF.
- Confirm the country of issue, receiving authority and destination.
- Check original versus certified copy, including any necessary UK professional signature.
- Ask whether a translation must be submitted with the original or apostilled separately.
- Confirm courier, return address, fees and current processing time.
Paper apostille or e-Apostille: who can issue each?
The FCDO issues both. An e-Apostille requires an eligible PDF electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor. A scan or ordinary digital stamp does not make a document eligible.
GOV.UK expressly excludes certain records from e-Apostilles, including GRO birth, marriage and death certificates, ACRO police certificates, DBS certificates and certain other listed documents. Paper legalisation may be available for eligible originals. Ask the foreign recipient whether electronic apostilles are accepted at all.
Translation is different from apostille: If the foreign recipient needs an apostilled translation, clarify which qualifying signature on the translation requires legalisation. Apostilling an original UK certificate does not automatically authenticate a later translation. See UK apostille certificates for translated documents.
How much do UK apostilles cost in 2026?
These are the FCDO's published government fees as checked on 28 October 2026. They do not include translation, solicitor, notary, intermediary or courier fees. Confirm any changes on GOV.UK.
| FCDO option | FCDO fee and service |
|---|---|
| Standard paper apostille | £45 per document plus courier/postage. Usually up to 25 working days, excluding delivery. |
| Electronic e-Apostille | £35 per eligible document. Up to two working days. |
| Next-day paper service | £40 per document. Registered-business service only; eligibility and availability apply. |
| Restricted urgent paper service | £100 per document. Registered businesses only, with FCDO pre-approval. |
The official next-day and restricted urgent routes are not blanket guarantees of completion for every document. Extra signature verification and document problems can extend processing.
Who can issue a UK apostille? Frequently asked questions
Who does apostilles in the UK?
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Legalisation Office issues UK apostilles. Other businesses or professionals may prepare or submit documents but do not issue the apostilles themselves.
Can a solicitor apostille a document?
A solicitor can sign or certify certain documents before legalisation. The apostille is then issued by the FCDO, not by the solicitor.
Can a notary public issue an apostille?
No. A UK notary may authenticate or certify a document, but the FCDO separately issues any eligible apostille on the notarial signature.
Can Locate Translate issue UK apostilles?
No. Locate Translate Limited appears on the government's published next-day legalisation provider list, but is a service provider rather than the government issuing authority. Check the handling service, eligibility and timing before proceeding.
Can I apply for my own apostille without an agent?
Yes. You can apply directly through GOV.UK for the standard paper or qualifying electronic routes. Registered-business conditions apply to special fast paper services.
Can a Post Office issue an apostille?
No. A Post Office certification or photocopy-checking service is not an FCDO apostille and does not necessarily fulfil pre-certification requirements.
Can a UK birth certificate receive an e-Apostille?
Not if it is a General Register Office civil-status certificate, which GOV.UK expressly excludes from the e-Apostille route. An eligible certificate may use paper legalisation.
Can a council-tax letter be apostilled?
Not automatically. The issuing signature, stamp or appropriate UK solicitor/notary certification must be eligible. Ask the FCDO and receiving body what evidence is acceptable.
Does a certified translation automatically need an apostille?
No. The overseas recipient determines whether it needs an apostille on the original, the translation or an appropriate professional signature. Translation accuracy certification and apostille legalisation serve different purposes.
Can the FCDO apostille a foreign birth certificate?
No. The UK Legalisation Office does not issue apostilles for documents originally issued outside the UK. Contact the issuing country's competent authority.
Does an apostille guarantee acceptance in every country?
No. The Hague Apostille Convention works between participating states when its conditions are met. Receiving authorities may still require separate translations, originals or consular procedures.
How can someone check whether an apostille is genuine?
Use the verification option linked from the official FCDO Legalisation Office service, not an agent's badge or an unofficial digital stamp.
More guidance on UK apostilles and translations
Need translation or legalisation support?
Tell us the document, issuing country, destination and receiving authority. We can discuss the available services without implying that a private provider issues the apostille.