Legislation & Apostille Services London

What Services Does an Apostille Provide?

Apostille services confirm that your documents are genuine and make them legally accepted in other countries. This is done by attaching a special certificate called an apostille.

An apostille is usually needed for documents being sent to countries that are part of the Hague Convention. You can view the full list of member countries here.

In the United Kingdom, apostille stamps are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The apostille confirms that the document has been properly checked and approved by an official recognised by the UK Government, such as a Notary Public or Registrar.

This is particularly useful when UK documents are being sent to another country, and the receiver has no sure-fire way of knowing if the document or the Notary’s signature is authentic or not. However, once they see the apostille stamp, which contains the HM Royal Seal, they can be satisfied about its authenticity. This process ensures that original documents are properly authenticated and ready for use abroad.

You may need an apostille stamp when sending documents abroad to a country that is a member of the Hague Convention.Listed below are some examples of where an apostille certificate may be needed:

• Birth Certificates – To confirm identity, citizenship or family relationships when dealing with foreign authorities or making legal arrangements abroad.
• UK-Issued Educational Certificates – To verify qualifications for jobs or study abroad. Many institutions and employers overseas will require these documents to be legalised.
• Powers of Attorney – To give someone the legal authority to act for you in another country. Such as for property deals or legal matters.
• Marriage Certificates – To confirm marital status for immigration purposes or to marry abroad. Especially when proof of a previous marriage is needed.
• Statutory Declarations – To verify the truth of a statement for use in another country. These are often required for issues like inheritance or international business.
• Death Certificates – Needed for dealing with the estate of someone who passed away abroad. For example, an apostille may be required to claim inheritance or inform foreign authorities.

In most cases, your document must first be notarised by a Notary Public, then apostilled by the FCDO before it is legally accepted in another country. Our legalisation service ensures your documents are correctly certified and meet the destination country’s standards.

South London Notaries is a ‘one-stop shop’ for document checks and legalisation. We focus on speed, ease and keeping costs low.

UK Apostille Services

We offer notary certification and apostille services together. This makes getting documents legalised simple and quick. We also have a range of packages that offer fast processing times, suitable for urgent needs.

Whether it’s getting birth certificates, educational documents, or powers of attorney legalised, our team is here to help you every step of the way.

We understand the importance of having your documents properly validated, and our services are designed to give you peace of mind when dealing with foreign authorities. With our experience and expertise, you can be confident that your documents will be handled correctly and returned promptly, fully legalised and ready for their intended purpose abroad.

Feel free to give us a call to find out more information.