Obtain a UK Apostille certificate for your corporate documents through our expedited legalisation service. We verify, notarise, and submit your filings to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to ensure international legal recognition for overseas business operations.
What is an Apostille Certificate?
An Apostille is an official government certificate issued in the UK by the FCDO that validates the signature and seal of a public official on a document. This certification ensures your UK company documents are legally accepted in all Hague Convention member countries.
International authorities require this proof of authenticity before they allow a UK entity to open foreign bank accounts, establish branches, or enter into cross-border contracts. Without an Apostille, a document signed by a UK official or notary has no legal standing outside of British jurisdiction.
Our service handles the entire chain of authentication. We manage the transition of your Certificate of Incorporation or Memorandum and Articles of Association from internal company records to internationally recognised legal instruments. This process bridges the gap between UK Companies House filings and the requirements of foreign legal systems.
What is the Process for Document Legalisation?
The legalisation process involves four distinct stages: document verification, solicitor certification (if required), FCDO submission, and secure dispatch. We manage every step to ensure your documents meet the strict technical standards required by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
1. Selection and Verification
You select the documents requiring legalisation. These typically include:
Certificate of Incorporation
Articles of Association
Confirmation Statement (CS01)
Certificate of Good Standing
2. Notarisation and Certification
If the document is a photocopy or a private business agreement (like a Power of Attorney), a solicitor must verify the signature. We use our in-house legal network to certify that the document is a true copy of the original held at Companies House.
3. FCDO Submission
We submit your papers to the FCDO Legalisation Office. A physical Apostille certificate a square paper attachment with a holographic seal, is permanently embossed and glued to the back of your document.
4. Final Quality Check and Delivery
Each document is inspected for the official FCDO signature and stamp. Once verified, we ship the completed files via tracked courier to your registered office or an international destination.
What are the Requirements for an Apostille?
To qualify for an Apostille, a document must be an original issued by a UK public official or a copy certified by a UK-registered solicitor. All documents must relate to a UK-registered entity and contain clear, legible signatures and official seals.
Specific requirements apply to different Legal Entities, such as a Limited Company or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). For a Director or Shareholder to use their personal identity documents abroad, those must also be notarised before the Apostille stage.
Public Documents: Originals signed by a registrar (e.g., Certificate of Good Standing).
Private Documents: Must be signed in the presence of a solicitor (e.g., Board Minutes, Resolutions).
Educational Documents: Must be verified by the issuing institution or a solicitor.
Format: Digital signatures are only accepted in specific FCDO “e-Apostille” formats; physical documents still require wet-ink seals for most international banks.
How Long is the Timeline for Completion?
Our standard processing time is 5 to 7 working days from the moment we receive your physical documents. We also offer an express courier service that reduces transit times, ensuring your legalised paperwork reaches international authorities within the shortest possible window.
Timeframes are dictated by the FCDO’s current volume and the postal method chosen.
Day 1: Receipt and verification of documents at our office.
Day 2: Solicitor certification and dispatch to FCDO.
Day 3-5: FCDO processing and certificate attachment.
Day 6-7: Return transit and final delivery to the client.
For urgent business tenders or immediate bank account openings, we recommend that our Registered Office Address clients use our digital scan-back service, allowing you to view the Apostille details immediately upon completion while the physical copy is in transit.
Why Choose Form My Company for Your Apostille?
Form My Company provides a streamlined, professional legalisation service backed by years of expertise in UK company law and FCDO protocols. We guarantee that your documents will be accepted by the receiving authority, or we will re-process them at no additional cost.
We differ from generic agencies by focusing exclusively on corporate compliance. Our systems are integrated with Companies House, allowing us to pull official documents for you directly, saving you the time of sourcing them yourself.
Expert Oversight: Every document is reviewed for compliance before submission to avoid delays.
Security: We use tracked, signed-for mail for all original legal papers.
Comprehensive Support: We assist with related needs, such as Company Secretary appointments or VAT Registration for expanding businesses.
Transparency: No hidden fees. The price you see includes all government levies and solicitor costs.
Specifications and Quality Standards
Our service adheres to the following technical specifications to ensure global validity:
Apostille Dimensions: Standard 15cm x 15cm certificate.
Language: Issued in English, French, and Spanish (the three official languages of the Hague Convention).
Verification: Includes a unique reference number that can be verified online by foreign embassies.
Durability: Applied using permanent adhesive and an embossed seal to prevent tampering.
Packaging: Documents are shipped in reinforced, moisture-resistant envelopes to prevent damage to the FCDO seal.
Export and International Use
Once your Apostilled Documents are processed, they are ready for export to any of the 120+ member nations of the Hague Convention. This includes major trade partners such as the USA, Spain, Italy, and India. If you are doing business in a country that is not a member (e.g., UAE, China, or Qatar), we can facilitate the additional step of Embassy Legalisation following the Apostille.
This ensures your Confirmation Statement, Share Certificates, and Memorandum of Association are fully compliant with the local laws of your target market.
Apostilled Documents Service FAQs
Most corporate documents used for international trade or banking require an Apostille, including the Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association, Share Certificates, and Board Resolutions. These documents must be verified as genuine UK filings to be accepted by foreign jurisdictions.
Yes, any document that is not an original government-issued certificate with a wet-ink signature or seal must be certified by a UK-registered solicitor or Notary Public. This includes photocopies of original documents and private business agreements.
While a UK Apostille certificate does not technically expire, most foreign banks and government agencies require documents to have been legalised within the last 3 to 6 months. This ensures the information, such as the list of Shareholders or Directors, remains current and accurate.
An Apostille is a streamlined certification for countries that are members of the Hague Convention. In contrast, Embassy Legalisation is an additional, multi-stage process required for countries that are not members. An Apostille is always the first step in both processes.
Yes, the FCDO now offers e-Apostilles for certain digital documents that have been electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor. However, you must verify that the receiving country accepts digital certificates, as many international banks still require physical paper documents.
Apostilled Documents
Your documents will be checked by a solicitor, certified by the FCDO and posted directly to you via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery.