What Is an Apostille?
If your document is to be used in a country that is a party to the Hague Convention of 1961, it will usually require an Apostille certificate.
In the UK, Apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Once your document is signed by a Notary, it is sent to the FCDO, where an officer confirms the Notary’s credentials and attaches the Apostille.
This process:
- Verifies the Notary’s authority.
- Confirms the authenticity of the document.
- Involves additional costs and processing time.
Consular Legalisation
If your document is intended for a country not part of the Hague Convention, it will need Consular Legalisation rather than an Apostille.
This is done by the relevant Consulate or Embassy in the UK. The consular officer checks the notarised document and attaches a certificate confirming its validity.
Processing times and fees depend on each Consulate and may vary significantly.
Author: www.notarypublic.co.uk
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