Legalisation Services
Legalisation / Apostille
You may have been told that your documents require ‘legalisation’ or ‘the apostille’. This is a separate layer of authentication, distinct from notarisation (although often in addition to it), required by certain countries.
I can handle this process for you – either:
- Apostille: Issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – appropriate for countries who are members of the Hague Apostille Convention
- Consular legalisation: Certification from the relevant foreign embassy or consulate.
Occasionally, you might be asked to obtain the apostille and go through consular legalisation, although this is less common.
It’s not unusual to be asked to produce a mixture of documents: some only notarised, some only legalised, and some requiring both processes. The precise requirements are often document and country specific. If you’re finding it confusing, please don’t worry – it’s not just you!
In most cases, it’s entirely possible to deal with legalisation yourself. However, if you want to avoid the hassle of navigating the system, I will be happy to take care of it for you. I’ll outline the options available and provide an estimate of costs. If you ask me to handle it on your behalf, I’ll keep you updated every step of the way