Apostille Translation UK: Certified Translation with FCDO Legalisation

What is an apostille translation?

An apostille translation is a certified translation of a UK document paired with an FCDO apostille certificate, so the translation and the underlying signature are both legally recognised in the 125+ Hague Convention countries that accept apostilled UK public documents.

Can I get an apostille translation in the UK?

Yes — apostille translation is available across the UK, combining an ISO 17100 certified translation, notarisation by a UK notary public and an FCDO apostille certificate.

Who can apostille a document in the UK?

Only the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office can issue an apostille certificate in the UK.

Can you apostille a document in a different language?

Yes — a foreign-language document issued by an official UK body can be apostilled, and a UK certified translation can also be apostilled.

Should I translate my document before or after getting an apostille?

The order depends on the destination country's consular requirements.

Do I need a certified, notarised or sworn translation for an apostille?

A UK apostille attaches to a notarised translation in almost every case: the translator signs a certificate of accuracy (certified), a UK notary public witnesses that signature (notarised), and the FCDO apostilles the notary's signature.

Apostille translation combines a UK certified translation with an FCDO apostille certificate, so a UK document and its translation are recognised abroad. This page explains the two-legal-act service — authentication of a signature and conversion of language — for individuals, solicitors and businesses across the UK.

What is an apostille translation?

An apostille translation is a certified translation of a UK document paired with an FCDO apostille certificate, so the translation and the underlying signature are both legally recognised in the 125+ Hague Convention countries that accept apostilled UK public documents. It is one service delivered as two sequential legal acts. The apostille sits on top of a notarised certified translation.

The service answers two needs at once:

• Language — a certified translation from English into the destination-country language, or vice versa.
• Authentication — an official certificate issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office confirming the signature is genuine.
• Cross-border recognition — a legalised document accepted by foreign courts, registries and universities.

For the base tier without an apostille, see our Certified Translation page.

What does the FCDO apostille actually certify?

The FCDO apostille certifies that the signature, seal or stamp on a UK public document is genuine — it does not read, verify or endorse the language of the text, which is why a separate certified translation is almost always required for overseas use. The apostille confirms the public document is genuine; it does not confirm the accuracy of any translation attached to it.

How is an apostille translation different from a standard certified translation?

A standard certified translation carries only a translator's signed certificate of accuracy for UK use. An apostille translation adds a UK notary public's signature and an FCDO apostille stamp, so the document is accepted by foreign authorities in Hague Convention countries. The certified tier alone serves UK bodies; the apostille tier serves overseas ones.

Tier	Signed by	Recognised in
Certified translation	ISO 17100 translator	UK: Home Office, HMRC, universities
Notarised translation	Translator + UK notary public	UK + some overseas bodies
Apostille translation	Translator + notary + FCDO	125+ Hague Convention countries
Sworn translation	Court-appointed translator abroad	Italy, France, Spain and other EU jurisdictions

Can I get an apostille translation in the UK?

Yes — apostille translation is available across the UK, combining an ISO 17100 certified translation, notarisation by a UK notary public and an FCDO apostille certificate. Documents can be sent to our London office by post or uploaded online for the full three-step service for UK documents. The apostille service covers 150+ languages.

Do I need to send original documents or are scans enough?

The FCDO Legalisation Office accepts most original UK-issued public documents and, in some cases, high-quality colour scans certified by a UK solicitor. Personal certificates such as birth, marriage and death certificates should be posted as originals to avoid consular rejection. Send your documents by tracked post to protect the paper record.

Do you offer an e-apostille service for UK documents?

The FCDO e-Apostille service applies only to selected electronically signed UK-issued documents. Paper certified translations still route through the standard paper apostille process, with documents returned by tracked postage. The format matters: only documents electronically signed by a UK issuing body qualify for the digital route.

Who can apostille a document in the UK?

Only the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office can issue the apostille certificate in the UK. A UK notary public, solicitor or FCDO-registered translator prepares the document beforehand, but no other body has authority to attach the apostille stamp. The FCDO is the sole issuing authority.

Roles in the chain, from bottom to top:

1. Translator — an ISO 17100 linguist certified by a UK translation organisation signs the certificate of accuracy.
2. UK notary public or UK solicitor — witnesses the translator's signature and applies a notarial seal.
3. FCDO Legalisation Office — authenticates the notary's signature and issues the apostille certificate.

What role does a UK notary public or solicitor play?

A UK notary public or solicitor witnesses and certifies the translator's signature on the certified translation. The FCDO then authenticates the notary's signature with an apostille. The notary is the legal link that makes a private translation apostillable. Without notarisation, the FCDO has no UK signature to authenticate.

Can I apostille a document myself through GOV.UK?

You can apply online through GOV.UK for a standard FCDO apostille, but the document still needs to be prepared — translated, certified and notarised — before submission. Most applicants use an FCDO-registered apostille service to avoid rejection and courier delays. Self-submission works for a clean original; a translation always adds the notary step first.

Can you apostille a document in a different language?

Yes — a foreign-language document issued by an official UK body can be apostilled, and a UK certified translation can also be apostilled. The FCDO authenticates the signature or seal, not the language, so documents in any of 150+ languages can be legalised. The apostille certificate is issued in a standard bilingual format recognised across all Hague Convention states.

Should I translate my document before or after getting an apostille?

The order depends on the destination country's consular requirements. Spain, Italy and France usually require the UK document to be apostilled first, then translated by a sworn translator. Other Hague Convention countries accept the translation being certified, notarised and apostilled together. The person requesting the document abroad should confirm the local rule before ordering.

Destination	Sequence	Who translates
Spain (ACRO for visa)	FCDO apostille first, then translate	Traductor jurado in Spain
Italy	Apostille source, then translate	Court-appointed sworn translator
France	Apostille source, then translate	Traducteur assermenté
Germany, Netherlands, Portugal	Translate + notarise, then apostille the translation	UK ISO 17100 translator
UAE, Qatar, Kuwait (non-Hague)	FCDO apostille, then embassy attestation	UK translator + embassy stamp
Some Latin American authorities	Both source and translation apostilled	UK translator, two FCDO submissions

When is the apostille placed on the source document first?

The apostille is placed on the source document first when the destination country requires a locally sworn translator. A UK ACRO certificate bound for Spain is apostilled by the FCDO first, then translated into Spanish by a traductor jurado. Reversing the order causes consular rejection at the Spanish border.

When is the apostille placed on the translation?

The apostille is placed on the certified translation when the destination country accepts a UK-issued translation as the legal record. The translation is certified, notarised by a UK notary public, then submitted to the FCDO Legalisation Office for the apostille. Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal commonly follow this route.

When are both the source document and the translation apostilled?

Some jurisdictions — including several Gulf and Latin American authorities — require both the original UK document and its certified translation to carry separate FCDO apostilles. That means two FCDO submissions and two government fees. Confirm the destination's specific requirements before ordering to avoid duplicating cost.

Do I need a certified, notarised or sworn translation for an apostille?

A UK apostille attaches to a notarised translation in almost every case. The translator signs a certificate of accuracy (certified), a UK notary public witnesses that signature (notarised), and the FCDO apostilles the notary's signature. Sworn translation is a separate EU concept used by court-appointed translators abroad.

What is the difference between certified, notarised, sworn and apostille translation?

Certified translations carry a translator's signed statement. Notarised translations add a UK notary public's stamp. Sworn translations are court-appointed translations produced in EU jurisdictions such as Spain, Italy and France. Apostille translations add an FCDO stamp for use in Hague Convention countries. For the full four-tier overview, see Document Translation UK: Certified Services for Visas, Legal, Academic and Business Documents.

When does a UK apostille translation need a sworn translator abroad?

A sworn translation service abroad is required when the destination country's law reserves official translation to court-appointed translators — Italy, France and Spain being the clearest examples. The UK document is apostilled first and the sworn translation is produced locally on arrival. UK certified translations and sworn translations serve different jurisdictions.

Step 1 — Order online and send your documents

Apply online with a scan of the UK document, choose the target language from 150+ options, and send your documents to our London office at Suite 544, Unit B, 63-66 Hatton Garden, EC1N 8LE by tracked post or secure upload. A fixed quote is returned before payment.

Step 2 — Certified translation prepared under ISO 17100

An ISO 17100 subject-expert translator produces the certified translation in 2–3 working days, checked by a second linguist, and issues a signed certificate of accuracy bound to the source document. Every job runs through the two-linguist workflow before dispatch.

Step 3 — Notarisation by a UK notary public

A UK notary public or UK solicitor witnesses the translator's signature on the certificate of accuracy, adds a notarial certificate and applies their official seal. This notarisation is the legal act the FCDO apostille then authenticates. Notary appointments are booked into the workflow to protect turnaround.

Step 4 — FCDO apostille certificate issued

The bundle is submitted to the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes, which authenticates the notary's signature and attaches the apostille certificate. Standard FCDO turnaround adds 3–5 working days from receipt on top of the certified translation.

Step 5 — Documents returned by tracked postage

Legalised documents are returned by tracked postage to your UK address, or forwarded internationally on request. A scanned PDF of the apostilled bundle is emailed for record-keeping. The paper original carries the legal weight; the PDF is a working copy.

How much does an apostille translation cost in the UK?

Apostille translation costs stack three separate line items: the certified translation from £25 per document (or £0.10–£0.20 per word), the UK notary public fee, and the FCDO government apostille fee. Same-day and weekend delivery adds a 30–50% surcharge. Line-item pricing avoids the opaque bundled figures used elsewhere.

Line item	Charged by	Price
Certified translation (single personal document)	Us (ISO 17100)	From £25 per document
Certified translation (longer text)	Us (ISO 17100)	£0.10–£0.20 per word
UK notary public fee	Notary	Quoted per notarial act
FCDO apostille fee	FCDO Legalisation Office	Government fee per certificate (see GOV.UK)
Same-day / weekend surcharge	Us	+30–50% on translation

How much is the certified translation itself?

Certified translation of a single personal document — birth, marriage, death certificate, diploma, passport or ID — starts from £25 per document. Longer texts are quoted at £0.10–£0.20 per word depending on language pair and subject matter. The signed certificate of accuracy is included.

How much does the notary public add?

A UK notary public charges a fixed fee per notarial certificate, quoted individually with each apostille translation order. Multi-document bundles that share a single notarial act are more cost-efficient than single-document notarisation. Ask for a bundled quote when submitting two or more documents together.

How much is the FCDO apostille government fee?

The FCDO Legalisation Office charges a fixed government fee per apostille certificate issued, published on GOV.UK, with additional courier costs for paper-based apostilles. The FCDO fee is separate from and additional to the translation and notary fees. Two apostilles mean two FCDO fees.

Are there surcharges for urgent apostille translation?

Same-day and weekend delivery adds a 30–50% surcharge on the certified translation, and next-day FCDO handling adds a premium above the standard FCDO fee. Urgency does not compromise the ISO 17100 two-linguist checking workflow — speed is bought with staffing, not shortcuts.

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How long does an apostille translation take?

Standard apostille translation takes 2–3 working days for the certified translation plus 3–5 working days for the FCDO apostille add-on, giving a typical end-to-end turnaround of one to two working weeks including tracked return postage. Postage adds one to two further working days.

Can I get a next day apostille translation?

Next day apostille translation is available for single-page personal certificates when the FCDO premium service is used and the certified translation is prioritised with a 30–50% urgency surcharge. Notary availability on the day of order is a controlling factor. Same-day booking is confirmed before payment.

What slows an apostille translation down?

Three factors slow an apostille translation:

What UK documents can be apostilled and translated?

The FCDO can apostille most UK public documents, including birth, marriage and death certificates, ACRO police certificates, degree certificates and transcripts, Companies House filings, court documents and HMRC tax documents. Each pairs with a certified translation into 150+ languages for international use.

Document type	Issuing body	Common destination use
Birth, marriage, death, civil partnership	General Register Office	Visas, marriage abroad, probate
ACRO police certificate	ACRO Criminal Records Office	Spanish visa, residency abroad
Degree certificate, transcript	UK university	Overseas study, professional registration
Companies House filings	Companies House	Cross-border trade, KYC, subsidiaries
HMRC tax residency certificate	HMRC	Double-taxation treaty claims
Court orders, decree absolute, power of attorney	UK courts / solicitor	Foreign family and civil proceedings

Personal certificates — birth, marriage, death, civil partnership

Birth certificates, Marriage Certificate documents, death certificates and civil partnership certificates issued by the UK General Register Office are apostilled by the FCDO and translated into the destination-country language. Common use cases include foreign visas, marriage registration, dual citizenship applications, overseas probate and spousal visas. These are the most popular documents in the apostille service for UK documents.

ACRO police certificates and criminal background checks

UK ACRO police certificates are one of the most common apostille translations, especially for Spanish visas. The ACRO certificate is apostilled by the FCDO first, then translated into Spanish by a traductor jurado, in a fixed sequence. Reversing the order causes consular rejection. See Immigration Documents for the visa route.

Academic documents — degree certificates and transcripts

UK degree certificates and academic transcripts are apostilled for use in the 125+ Hague Convention countries. The certified translation is bound to the notarised original so foreign universities and regulators can verify both the qualification and its content. See Academic Translation Services for UK Universities, Research and Credential Evaluation.

Corporate documents — Companies House filings and HMRC tax documents

Companies House certificates of incorporation, articles of association, HMRC tax residency certificates and VAT documents are apostilled and translated for cross-border trade, banking KYC and foreign subsidiary registration. Tax documents also support double-taxation treaty claims where the destination tax authority needs a legalised UK record.

Court and legal documents — decree absolutes, court orders, powers of attorney

UK court documents — including decree absolutes, court orders and powers of attorney — are apostilled after solicitor certification. They pair with a certified legal translation for use in foreign family, probate and civil proceedings. A UK solicitor's signature is authenticated by the FCDO in the same way as a notary's.

Do all countries accept an apostille translation?

Only the 125+ countries party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostille. Non-Hague destinations — including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Vietnam — require full embassy legalisation instead of a single apostille certificate. Check the destination's status before ordering.

What if my destination country is not in the Hague Convention?

For non-Hague destinations the UK document is legalised through embassy attestation: FCDO apostille first, then a physical stamp from the destination country's London embassy. The certified translation is submitted alongside for consular approval. Embassy timelines vary by mission and add to the total turnaround.

How do I order an apostille translation online?

Order online by uploading a scan of the UK document, selecting the target language and destination country, and choosing standard (2–3 working days translation + 3–5 working days FCDO) or urgent service. A fixed quote is returned before payment; documents are then posted or emailed. The order online form captures the specific requirements of the destination.

How do I get a quote?

Send a clear scan of the UK document and specify the target language and destination country to receive a fixed quote by email, usually within one working hour during opening hours (Monday to Saturday, 9:00–18:00). Include the country outside of the UK where the document will be used.

How do I contact the apostille translation team?

Contact the London office on +44 20 4569 1419 or visit Suite 544, Unit B, 63-66 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LE. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00–18:00. Email responses are handled outside those hours. Tracked postage is used for every return so legalised documents arrive with a proof-of-delivery record.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an apostille translation in the UK?

Yes, you can get an apostille translation in the UK by combining a certified translation with FCDO legalisation of the original document. The typical process involves two steps: first, obtaining a certified translation of your document (with a signed certificate of accuracy included), then having the original — or the certified translation — apostilled by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Certified Translation Services UK covers 150+ languages and delivers certified translations in a standard turnaround of 2–3 working days, making it straightforward to prepare your documents for FCDO legalisation.

Can you apostille a document in a different language?

Yes, a document in a foreign language can be apostilled, but the receiving country typically requires a certified translation alongside it. The apostille itself is attached to the original document regardless of the language it is written in, but authorities in the destination country — such as courts, universities or government departments — will usually require a certified translation into their official language. In the UK, a signed certificate of accuracy accompanies every certified translation, ensuring the translated document meets official requirements before or after the apostille is obtained.

Who can apostille a document in the UK?

In the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is the sole competent authority authorised to issue an apostille under the 1961 Hague Convention. The FCDO legalisation office processes applications for public documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates, diplomas, and notarised documents. Translation agencies like Certified Translation Services UK do not issue apostilles themselves, but provide the certified translations — starting from £25 per personal document — that are required alongside the legalised originals for use abroad.

How much does an apostille cost in the UK?

The FCDO sets its own fee for issuing an apostille, which is separate from any translation costs — check the official FCDO legalisation service for the current government fee. On the translation side, certified translations of personal documents (birth, marriage or death certificates, diplomas, passports) start from £25 per document at Certified Translation Services UK, with a standard turnaround of 2–3 working days. If you need the full package urgently, same-day or weekend delivery is available at a 30–50% surcharge on the translation fee.

Can I apply for apostille online?

Yes, the FCDO offers an online apostille application service for eligible UK public documents, allowing you to submit requests without visiting an office in person. Processing times vary depending on the service level chosen and document type. For documents that also require a certified translation — such as foreign-language certificates — Certified Translation Services UK can be contacted online, by phone on +44 20 4569 1419, or in person at Suite 544, Unit B, 63-66 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LE (Monday to Saturday, 9:00–18:00), and delivers translations within a standard 2–3 working day turnaround.