Legalisation - Apostille Explained

Legalisation is the process by which the identity and authority of a Government official is verified by the State, often on a document. This can be done under the Hague Convention of 1961 with an apostille and may also require consular legalisation. Relevant UK Officials include Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Registrars of Companies House and Notaries. In the UK, legalisation is carried out by the legalisation Office of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. They place what is known as an Apostille on the document under the Hague Convention. An Apostille confirms that the signature and/or seal of the official who signed the document is genuine. Documents which frequently require legalisation with an Apostille include:-

• Education Certificates
• Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates
• Passports
• Criminal Record Checks (CRB)
• Certificates of no Impediment to Marry
• UK Court Documents
• Powers of Attorney
• Declarations
• Certificates of Incorporation and other company documents
• Translations
• Tax documentation

Further details of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's requirements for legalisation/Apostille, and an explanation of an Apostille under the Hague Convention can be accessed at their website.

A list of countries that are party to the Hague Convention can be accessed by following this link.

Countries that are not party to the Hague Convention may require consular legalisation, sometimes in addition to legalisation with an apostille. see Consular Legalisation.

If you have any queries regarding apostilles, legalisation or consular legalisation, please telephone (+44) 1908 662277 or e-mail Michelle Hughes and we will be happy to answer your queries.

Please call Gareth Pobjoy to see if your documents need legalisation.