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Top 10 Documents That Require an Apostille in the UK

  • Posted: June 1st, 2025

Top 10 Documents That Require an Apostille in the UK

In today’s globalised world, legalising documents for international use has become a necessity. The Apostille Certificate, issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another Hague Convention country. At Prime Apostille, we ensure your documents meet every requirement for Apostille legalisation, saving you time, hassle, and unnecessary delays.

Below, we outline the top 10 most common documents that require an Apostille in the UK, complete with a comprehensive breakdown of why they are needed and what to watch for when preparing them.

1. Birth Certificates

Birth certificates are among the most frequently apostilled documents. When moving abroad for employment, study, or marriage, authorities in foreign countries often request proof of birth and identity.

  • Must be the original or a certified copy issued by a UK General Register Office (GRO) or local register office.

  • Required for visa applications, residency permits, school enrolments, and citizenship applications.

2. Marriage Certificates

For anyone looking to get married abroad or register their marriage in a foreign jurisdiction, a marriage certificate bearing an Apostille is essential.

  • Must be a certified copy issued by the GRO.

  • Commonly requested for spouse visa applications, dual citizenship, and inheritance claims.

3. Educational Certificates

From GCSEs to postgraduate degrees, educational qualifications often need to be legalised for employment or further studies abroad.

  • Includes diplomas, degrees, transcripts, and letters of enrolment.

  • Must be verified by the educational institution or solicitor before submission.

  • Essential for student visa applications, overseas job offers, and professional accreditation.

4. Criminal Record Checks (ACRO Police Certificates / DBS)

Criminal record checks are crucial for visa applications, particularly in sectors involving vulnerable populations, such as education and healthcare.

  • Only ACRO police certificates or enhanced DBS checks are usually accepted for apostille.

  • Required for employment abroad, immigration, and residency applications.

5. Power of Attorney (PoA)

A Power of Attorney document allows someone to act legally on your behalf in another country. Apostilling this ensures it is recognised internationally.

  • Must be notarised by a UK Notary Public before being apostilled.

  • Often used in property transactions, business affairs, and legal representation overseas.

6. Company Incorporation Documents

UK-based businesses expanding into foreign markets must have their corporate documents apostilled to prove legitimacy and legal status.

  • Includes Certificates of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association, board resolutions, and annual returns.

  • Required for opening international bank accounts, branch registration, and cross-border contracts.

7. Death Certificates

When handling inheritance matters, pensions, or transferring property abroad, Apostilled death certificates are often mandatory.

  • Must be issued by the GRO or local register office.

  • Required for probate processes, life insurance claims, and estate transfers internationally.

8. Medical Certificates and Doctor’s Letters

Some countries request Apostilled medical documents to support visa applications or insurance claims.

  • Must be issued and signed by a UK-registered medical practitioner, and then certified by a solicitor or notary.

  • Frequently requested for medical visas, insurance reimbursements, and treatment abroad.

9. Adoption Documents

International adoptions require a stringent legal process, including the apostilling of relevant documents.

  • Includes Adoption Certificates, Court Orders, social worker reports, and parental consents.

  • Must be certified by the relevant authority or notarised, depending on the type.

  • Vital for immigration of adopted children, citizenship, and birth registration in the UK or overseas.

10. Affidavits and Statutory Declarations

These are used to declare facts under oath, often in immigration or legal matters abroad.

  • Must be sworn before a UK solicitor or notary public.

  • Often used in visa applications, family law cases, and business declarations.

Bonus: Documents Commonly Misunderstood but Sometimes Required

While not in the top 10, the following documents are also frequently requested for an Apostille in specific cases:

  • Translation certificates (for translated documents)

  • TEFL certificates (for English teaching roles abroad)

  • HMRC letters (for tax residency abroad)

  • Tenancy agreements (for proof of UK residence)

  • Certificates of No Impediment (for marriage overseas)

How We Help at Prime Apostille

At Prime Apostille, we specialise in swift, secure, and compliant legalisation services. Whether you’re submitting one document or a batch, we guide you through the preparation, certification, and apostille process, ensuring your documents meet the required standards for overseas authorities.

  • Same-day service available

  • Nationwide collection and delivery

  • Fully compliant with UK FCDO and Hague Convention standards

  • We assist with notarisation, translation, and embassy attestation where necessary

Get Your Documents Apostilled Today

Don’t let paperwork hold up your plans. If you’re unsure whether your document requires an Apostille, contact us and let our experts guide you through the process.

📞 Phone: +44 (0) 207 183 8043
📧 Email: info@primeapostille.com
🌐 Website: www.primeapostille.co.uk

 

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Please note that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is currently experiencing severe delays with issuing apostilles. It is currently taking around 20 - 25 working days to apostille a document through the FCDO and, as a result, our standard processing times are taking longer than usual.

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The Qualifications Office of the Consulate General of Italy in London only issues "Dichiarazioni di Valore" (Declarations of Value, DV) of British qualifications - issued by recognised educational institutions (schools, colleges and universities) or professional bodies - that fall under the British education/university system.

Scotland and Northern Ireland fall within the jurisdiction of the Consulate General in Edinburgh.

The "DV" is neither an equivalent of an Italian qualification nor a comparability certificate. It will be up to the relevant Italian institutions (Ministry of Education, Uffici Scolastici Provinciali, Universities, etc.) to subsequently declare if a foreign qualification has a similar Italian equivalent: this is called "equipollenza" (equivalence/certificate of comparability). Please note that the "Declaration of Value" can only be requested for already-completed study cycles (e.g., A-level, Bachelor, Master, etc.).

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