There is no single document pack required for every UK apostille application. The key question is whether the document itself is eligible for legalisation and, if necessary, whether it has first been certified by an appropriate UK public official.
Current GOV.UK guidance says the Legalisation Office can legalise certain official UK documents directly and can also legalise other documents that have been certified by a UK public official such as a notary or solicitor. The exact route depends on the document and what the overseas recipient requires.
For the complete service route, see our UK apostille service. This guide focuses specifically on which documents can be legalised and what needs to be checked before submission.
Documents that can commonly be legalised in the UK
GOV.UK gives examples of documents that can be legalised when they have been issued by an appropriate UK authority or carry a verifiable official signature, stamp or seal.
- Public registry documents: birth, marriage and death certificates, and eligible company certificates issued by Companies House.
- Court documents: where the document carries the required court seal.
- Government documents: for example, eligible documents signed by a government official.
- Medical documents: certain certificates signed by a registered doctor.
This is not an exhaustive list. Eligibility depends on the individual document and whether the Legalisation Office can verify the relevant signature, stamp or seal.
Documents that may need certification first
Other documents can be legalised after they have been certified by an appropriate UK public official. GOV.UK gives examples including:
- powers of attorney
- contracts and agreements
- qualification certificates and other educational documents
- certified copies of passports or driving licences
The required certification is document-specific. Do not assume every private, academic or copy document needs exactly the same notary or solicitor step. Check the overseas recipient’s instructions and the current Legalisation Office rules first.
Birth, marriage and other General Register Office certificates
Official General Register Office certificates can follow the paper legalisation route where required. However, current GOV.UK guidance lists General Register Office birth, death, marriage, civil partnership and adoption certificates among the documents that cannot receive an e-Apostille.
If the recipient has asked for a legalised birth or marriage certificate, confirm whether it needs the original official certificate and whether a paper apostille is required before applying.
Academic and qualification documents
Degrees, diplomas, transcripts and other qualification documents can require certification before they are eligible for legalisation. The correct route depends on the document and the organisation receiving it abroad.
Do not rely on a generic statement that every academic document must be “verified by the university” or must always be notarised. Confirm the exact certification required for the document you hold and the destination where it will be used.
Business and corporate documents
Eligible Companies House records can be legalised, while private corporate documents such as resolutions, contracts, powers of attorney or copies may need an appropriate certification step first. The company document should be identified precisely before the route is selected.
If the document is ultimately being used in the UAE, additional embassy or Ministry stages may follow the UK apostille. See our guide to attesting UK documents for use in the UAE.
Original document or certified copy?
The answer depends on the document and the receiving authority. GOV.UK tells applicants to check whether the overseas recipient needs the original document or a certified copy, and whether it must be signed by a particular person such as a UK notary or solicitor.
Do not send an irreplaceable original until the route has been confirmed. A correctly certified copy may be appropriate in some cases, while another application may specifically require the original.
Paper apostille or e-Apostille document requirements
Paper apostille
For a paper apostille, you apply online and then submit the physical document through the instructed route. The completed document is returned physically.
e-Apostille
An e-Apostille requires an eligible PDF that has been electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor. Not every document category is eligible, and the person or organisation receiving the document should confirm that it will accept the electronic format.
What you need to apply
For the Legalisation Office application itself, GOV.UK says you apply online and need the documents you want to legalise plus a credit or debit card to pay the fees. For a paper-based apostille sent by post, you also need the return address and access to a printer.
The larger preparation checklist may include certification, notarisation, translation or destination-country requirements, but those are not universal requirements for every UK apostille application.
Before you send the document
- Confirm the document was issued in the UK; the UK Legalisation Office does not legalise documents issued outside the UK.
- Identify the destination country and receiving organisation.
- Check whether the recipient wants the original or a certified copy.
- Confirm whether a notary, solicitor or another appropriate public official must certify it first.
- Check whether paper apostille or e-Apostille is acceptable and available for that document.
- Confirm whether further embassy, consular or Ministry authentication will follow.
For current processing periods, see how long a UK apostille takes. For avoidable preparation errors, see the guide to common UK apostille mistakes.
UK apostille document FAQs
Do all documents need notarisation before an apostille?
No. Some official documents can be legalised based on their existing official signature, stamp or seal. Other documents need certification by an appropriate UK public official first.
Can a passport copy be apostilled?
A copy document can be eligible where it has been certified by an appropriate UK public official and otherwise meets the Legalisation Office requirements. The receiving authority should also confirm that a certified copy is acceptable for its purpose.
Can a UK birth certificate get an e-Apostille?
Current GOV.UK guidance lists General Register Office birth certificates among the documents that cannot receive an e-Apostille. A paper apostille may be required instead.
Can the UK Legalisation Office apostille a document issued abroad?
No. GOV.UK states that documents issued outside the UK must be legalised in the country where they were issued.
Ask First Elite Global to review your document route or return to the main UK apostille service.
