Legislation & Apostille Services London

What Services Does an Apostille Provide?

Apostille services confirm that your documents are genuine so they can be used legally in other countries. This is done by adding an official certificate called an apostille. The apostille proves that the document and signature have been properly verified.

An apostille is usually required when sending documents to countries that are part of the Hague Convention. These countries accept apostilles as proof that the document is authentic. You can view the full list of member countries here.

In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The certificate confirms that the document has been signed or certified by an authorised official. Such as a Notary Public or Registrar.

This helps overseas authorities trust UK documents. Especially when the receiver has no way of knowing if the document or signatures are real or not. However, with the apostille stamp, containing the HM Royal Seal, they can be satisfied about its authenticity. This confirms the document is real and that they are ready for use abroad.

You may need an apostille stamp when sending documents abroad. It shows your document is valid for use in another country.

This usually applies to countries in the Hague Convention.

Common examples include:

• Birth certificates – To prove identity, citizenship, or family links.
• UK educational certificates – To show your qualifications for work or study abroad.
• Powers of attorney – To allow someone to act for you in another country.
• Marriage certificates – To prove marital status for immigration or marriage abroad.
• Statutory declarations – To confirm a statement is true for use overseas.
• Death certificates – To deal with an estate or claim inheritance abroad.

In most cases, your document must be notarised first. It is then apostilled by the FCDO before it can be used overseas.

Our legalisation service makes this process simple. We make sure your documents meet the rules of the destination country.

3 Day Turnaround

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.