Many countries require UK-issued documents to be formally authenticated before they can be accepted for business, customs or legal purposes overseas. This is because foreign authorities cannot independently verify UK documents. Legalisation provides official confirmation that a document is genuine and has been issued or certified by a recognised UK authority.
In the UK, document legalisation is carried out by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The FCDO verifies the signature, stamp or seal on a document and issues an official certificate known as an ‘apostille’, confirming its authenticity for international use.
Depending on the destination country, further steps may be required:
- For countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, an FCDO apostille is usually sufficient
- For non-Hague countries, additional embassy or consular legalisation may be required after the apostille
Requirements can vary significantly depending on the country and the type of document. Some documents must first be certified by a notary public or solicitor before they can be legalised. A notary public is a specialist legal professional who verifies identities, signatures and documents so they are accepted by authorities overseas.”
Services Available
Our team can assist with:
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) apostille
- Embassy legalisation services
- Notary public requirements
- Commercial document authentication
- Certification of supporting trade documents
Requirements vary from country to country, and our team can advise on the most appropriate route for your documentation.
Why Use Devon Chamber?
International documentation requirements can be complex and time-sensitive.
Our experienced team works with businesses across Devon to ensure documentation is processed correctly and submitted through the appropriate channels, helping reduce delays and minimise risk.