What is an Apostille?
An apostille services is a process verifying the genuineness of documents for international use. It confirms the legitimacy of signatures and seals on public records. The apostille document authentication process follows the framework established by the Hague Convention of January 1961, effective from January 1965. The United Kingdom joined the Hague Convention in October 1961. Countries not part of the Hague Convention do not recognize the electronically used Hague Apostille. The apostilles authenticate public documents, simplifying the process of international document certification.
The apostille stamp applied on the back of the requested document confirms the validity of a document, signature, stamp or seal. An apostille is issued by the competent authority in the country where the document was issued. An apostille certificate can be issued on any UK document in the UK.
Misconceptions about Apostille Services in the UK
Some of the misconceptions about the apostille services in the UK are mentioned below:
- It is a common misconception that a certified solicitor, a notary or a registrar can issue the apostille. Such claims are misleading. The apostille in the United Kingdom is issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
- Another misconception about the apostille process is that every foreign document can be legalized within the United Kingdom. This will be true if the British overseas territory issues the document that must be legalized. Even in such cases, an authorized embassy attestation is required after legalizing the documents within the UK.
- One of the misconceptions is the belief that the UK embassy can issue the apostille stamp. This is untrue since only the FCDO can issue the apostille stamp within the UK.
- The process for apostille, UK, could take at least 2 weeks to be completed. This is untrue since obtaining the apostille stamp within 10 working days is possible.
- There is some confusion regarding the apostille of original and copied documents. Each process depends on the document type and the country in which it is being legalized. Some original documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates and ACRO police checks can be apostilled directly. The academic and educational documents must be certified or notarized before they can be apostilled. Documents signed by a government official, such as a registrar, do not require further legalization.
Need for apostilling documents.
The apostilization authenticates public documents, simplifying the process of international document attestation and preventing the need to further legalize your documents in countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. The process has made it easy for individuals and businesses to meet international legal requirements. It serves as a universally recognized seal of approval, making sure that a document issued in one country is accepted in another country without further authentication. Legalizing documents through Apostille services is advantageous in cases requiring certificate authentication from the origin and destination states.
Apostille Legalisation
The FCO legalisation office issues the apostilles on the UK public documents through the following steps:
- Verifying authenticity: Checks whether the signatures, stamps, or seals on a document match their records.
- Attaching an apostille: A stamped official certificate validates the document for use in other countries.
- Issuing electronic e-Apostilles: This option is quicker, cheaper, and more efficient for some documents.
For getting documents apostilled UK you can:
- Submit the apostille documents for the FCO apostille to the Legalisation Office of FCDO in the UK. The Legalisation Office will attach an apostille on the back of the requested document confirming the validity of a document, signature, stamp or seal.
- For a country not party to the Hague Convention, the document must be attested by its embassy in London and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country you’re sending it to.
The documents may be submitted for traditional apostilling by post or courier or through an authorized company that uses its expertise to facilitate the procedure.
Helpline Group in the UK
Helpline Group in the UK, a pioneer in providing apostille service, helps applicants to get their documents apostilled in the UK hassle-free. With over 25 years of experience, 300+ experts, and a global presence, we assure you of expeditious legalization of your documents and incredibly reliable and fast apostille services in the London.