Apostille and Legalisation for Translated Documents

Apostille and Legalisation: what it is

An apostille is a certificate that confirms a signature, seal or stamp on a UK public document is genuine. In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostille without further checks.

Some countries are not part of the Convention. For those, the document usually needs the FCDO apostille first, then legalisation by that country's embassy or consulate in the UK. This second step is often called embassy legalisation.

Why a translation cannot be apostilled on its own

The FCDO only legalises signatures it can check. That means UK public officials, such as a registrar, and UK solicitors or notaries. A translation signed only by a translator or translation company is not a public document. So the usual route is:

1. We produce a certified translation.
2. A notary public (or in some cases a solicitor) signs to confirm the translator's declaration.
3. The FCDO adds an apostille to the notary's or solicitor's signature.
4. If the destination country requires it, the embassy legalises the document.

This is why an apostille certified translation UK authorities abroad will accept almost always involves a notary. Read more about that step on our notarised translation for refugees page.

What the apostille does not do

An apostille confirms the signature and seal. It does not confirm that the content of the document is correct, and it does not guarantee the foreign authority will accept the document. Each country decides what it needs.

Who needs an apostille translation and when

Most refugees never need an apostille for UK use. The Home Office, the Tribunal and HM Passport Office ask for certified translations, not apostilles. An apostille is usually needed when a UK document goes to another country.

Common situations:

• Studying or working in another country: UK degree certificates, transcripts or DBS certificates with translations.
• Marriage or family matters abroad: UK birth, marriage or divorce certificates with translations into the local language.
• Property or inheritance in a third country: powers of attorney or statutory declarations signed in the UK.
• Business or professional registration abroad: company documents, references and qualifications.

For UK-issued certificates translated into another language, we translate from English into the language the destination country needs. See also our certified true copy service if the receiver wants notarised copies, and our statutory declaration service for declarations used abroad.

A caution for refugees

If you have refugee status or a pending asylum claim, think carefully before contacting the embassy of the country you left, or sending documents to its authorities. It can have consequences for your protection. Speak to your solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) first. We do not give immigration advice, and we will not contact any embassy for you without your clear instruction.

Settlement and citizenship documents

Documents for UK settlement or British citizenship applications normally need a certified translation, not an apostille. See our refugee ILR and citizenship translation service for those.

How we arrange your apostille translation

1. Tell us the destination country and receiver. Send any written instructions from the foreign authority, university or employer. These decide whether you need an apostille only, or embassy legalisation as well.
2. Send your documents. Scans are enough to quote and translate. For originals that must be apostilled, such as a UK birth certificate, we explain what to send.
3. Certified translation. Our translator prepares the translation and signs a declaration of accuracy.
4. Notarisation. A UK notary public confirms the translator's signature and adds their seal.
5. FCDO apostille. The notarised document is sent to the FCDO Legalisation Office for the apostille. This is the FCDO apostille translation step.
6. Embassy legalisation, if needed. For countries outside the Apostille Convention, we submit the apostilled document to the relevant embassy or consulate.
7. Return to you. We send the finished document by tracked post, or to an address abroad if you ask.

We do not add any wording to your document that is not needed. Each step is shown on your quote so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Legalisation for embassy UK requirements

Embassy rules differ a lot. Some want an appointment, some take postal applications, and some need extra copies or forms. Legalisation for embassy UK submissions can add days or weeks. We check the embassy's current requirements when we quote, so the steps and timings in your quote reflect the rules at the time you order.

Apostille and Legalisation price and time

• Certified translation: from £18 per page.
• Notarisation: from £45 per bundle.
• FCDO apostille, including handling: from £75 per document, FCDO fee included.
• Embassy legalisation, if needed: from £95, plus the embassy's own fee (this varies by embassy).
• Typical time: 1 working day for certificates or 2–3 working days for longer documents for the translation, plus 1 working day for notarisation, then FCDO and postage time.
• Urgent option: same day or within 24 hours for the translation, from £10 extra per document, where the FCDO and embassy timings allow.

Prices shown are starting prices and include VAT. We confirm your exact price in a written quote before any work starts. Embassy fees are set by each embassy and can change. See our translation prices page for our translation rates, or send your documents for a quote for apostille and legalisation.