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 certain types of 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.

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.