In simple terms, apostille services validate your documents and make them legally recognised in foreign countries by attaching a special certificate called an apostille.

An apostille is normally required for documents issued for heading to countries that have signed up to the Hague Convention. A full list of member countries that are signed up to the Hague Convention can be found here.

The apostille stamps are issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO); essentially, it confirms that the document has been correctly authenticated and verified by an official certification service that is recognised by the UK Government. Such services include professionals like a Registrar or Notary Public.

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.

There are many situations in which an apostille stamp would be needed; all of which are when a document is being sent abroad to a Hague Convention member country. Listed below are some examples of where an apostille certificate may be necessary:

• Birth certificates – To verify identity, citizenship, or family relations when dealing with foreign authorities or making important life decisions abroad.

• Educational certificates issued in the UK – To confirm qualifications for work or further study abroad. Many foreign institutions and employers will require your original documents to be legalised before they can be accepted.

• Powers of Attorney documents – To legally authorise someone to act on your behalf in another country, particularly in matters such as property transactions or legal cases.

• Marriage certificates – To prove marital status for immigration purposes, or if you’re planning to marry abroad and need evidence of your prior marital status.

• Statutory Declarations – To confirm the truthfulness of a statement, for use in a foreign jurisdiction. For example, a statutory declaration may be required for matters like inheritance or business transactions abroad.

• Death Certificates – An apostille stamp is often required for death certificates when handling matters related to the deceased in a foreign country. For example, an apostilled death certificate may be needed to claim an inheritance, settle estate affairs, or notify foreign authorities about the passing of an individual.

In most situations, a document will need to go through this two-step verification process of being notarised by a Notary Public and then apostilled by the FCDO before it would be accepted in a foreign jurisdiction. This ensures that documents are both correctly certified and meet the required standards for the destination country.

South London Notaries are a “one-stop shop” when it comes to the document verification and legalisation procedure. We excel in terms of speed, convenience, and, most importantly, price.

We are able to offer both notary certification as well as apostille services in a package deal, ensuring that our clients have their documents apostilled efficiently and without hassle. 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.