FCDO Apostille — Standard
British authentication for your standard procedures.
Who it's for
Ideal for: degree recognition abroad, international marriage file, criminal record certificate for visa, certified UK birth certificate for Francophone procedure.
When it's NOT the right choice
- Documents bound for Cameroon, DRC, Chad, Gabon (use the non-Hague Pack Afrique)
- Private documents not notarised (contracts, handwritten powers of attorney — require prior notarisation)
- Urgency under 7 days (use FCDO Apostille Express)
What's included
- Document eligibility verification (FCDO requirements)
- Preparation and submission to FCDO
- Daily case tracking
- Standard FCDO fees (~£30) included
- Retrieval and secure Royal Mail Special Delivery within the UK
- Bilingual EN/FR communication at every key step
Possible extras
- Prior notarisation if private document: £100-£200 (quoted before execution)
- DHL International shipping if foreign destination: £35-£60 by zone
- Certified translation: £85-£150 by length (quoted before execution)
How it works
Required documents
- The original document to be apostilled (sent securely by you)
- Applicant's ID (passport or UK driving licence)
- UK proof of address (< 3 months)
- Specification of the document's destination country
FAQ
UK public documents YES: civil status records, criminal record, accredited university diplomas, notarised documents, Companies House certificates. Private documents (contracts, handwritten powers of attorney, letters) must first be notarised in the UK. I verify your specific case during the quote.
For the 124 signatory countries of the Hague Convention: yes, no additional step. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, USA, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Tunisia are signatories. For NON-signatory countries (Cameroon, DRC, Chad, Gabon, Madagascar...), use the non-Hague Pack Afrique instead.
Yes. Volume discount: -£25 on the 2nd document, -£40 per additional document from the 3rd. Economical and logical when preparing a complete file (marriage, succession, visa application).
Yes, always. The apostille is affixed directly to the original (or to a certified copy if you prefer not to send the original). You receive everything by Royal Mail Special Delivery (UK) or DHL (international) on request.
I notify you immediately and identify the cause. If it's a documentary format issue I couldn't detect upstream (rare but possible), I correct and resubmit at no additional service fee. Only re-engaged FCDO fees (~£30) would fall on you depending on the cause.