The Legalisation Office (FCO) - The only competent authority in the UK to issue apostilles and legalisation certificates.

Welcome to the Legalisation Office website. The Legalisation Office of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is the only competent authority to issue apostilles in the UK.

Legalisation is the official confirmation that a signature, seal or stamp on a UK public document is genuine. It does not authenticate the content of the document. Legalisation is usually required by foreign authorities before they will allow a UK document to be used for official purposes in their country.

The UK does not require any documents to be legalised for use within the UK.

Important Notice

Please note that the Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes will change location on 19/20 May 2012. The address to send postal applications has therefore now changed. Please see Step 5 of the How to Apply page. Applications already sent to our current address at Norfolk House, will be redirected to our new address.

Important Notice Relating to Apostille Change

Please note that as from 7 March 2012 the Legalisation Office introduced a new square tri-lingual apostille/legalisation certificate. Please contact legalisationenquiries@fco.gov.uk if verification of an issued apostille is required.

Important Notice Relating to Postal Applications

To help us legalise your document(s) quickly it is important that you read the How to Apply page before you send your document(s) to the Legalisation Office. If your application is incomplete in any way, we will be unable to legalise your document and it will be returned to you with further instructions as to what to do next. Some applications are non-straightforward and may take longer to process.

How to Apply

Milton Keynes Postal Service - For all applications from members of the public and business customers

Pre-registered Businesses only - For the Centre Point Premium Service and Drop-Off and Collection facility

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions that have not been answered elsewhere on our website, you will probably find the answer here.

Documents we can legalise

More information on how documents must be presented for legalisation

Feedback and Contact Us

How to contact us, ask a question not answered on our website, or give feedback on our service.

Additional information about legalisation, the Hague Convention and useful links

If you want to learn more about the legalisation process, the Hague Convention, the apostille certifcate, or links to other relevant authorities you can look here.

Contact us

Ask a question not answered on our website, or enquire about an application already submitted to us

First Meeting of the UK-Jordan Strategic Economic Dialogue

News, 21 May 2012
Representatives from the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Government of the United Kingdom met in London on 21 May 2012 for the first meeting of the UK-Jordan Strategic Economic Dialogue.

Foreign Office Minister condemns attack in Yemen

News, 21 May 2012
Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt has condemned the "cowardly" attack in Sana'a on 21 May which has killed more than 90 people.

Royal Navy Medic attends NATO Summit in Chicago as part of Ceremonial Party

News, 21 May 2012
Heroic Royal Navy Medical Assistant Liam O'Grady, who saved four colleagues in Afghanistan in 2011, represents UK.

100 days to go until the London 2012 Paralympic Games

News, 21 May 2012
As we enter the final countdown to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the Foreign Office is celebrating the Games, and their contribution to creating a more inclusive world.

Foreign Office Minister welcomes the release of detained British national in Sudan

News, 21 May 2012
A British national has been released from detention, following his arrest on the South Sudan border.

Norfolk House applications update for 22 May 2012

The Legalisation Office is currently processing the remaining postal applications received at its Norfolk House office on 18 May and will shortly commence processing applications received on 21 May 2012.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Due to the Legalisation Office's relocation it might not be possible to meet the next working day, processing target for straightforward postal applications, please visit here regularly for further updates.

During the month of April 2012, the Legalisation Office processed and despatched 98.7% of all straightforward applications received by its next (working) day published target.

Special Notices

Royal Mail fee increases in effect from 30 April 2012

All customers, who provide Special Delivery, Recorded Delivery, or pre-paid envelopes for their application's return, must ensure that correct postage is paid or they may be subject to additional costs on their return.

New Legalisation Application Form

There is a new Legalisation Application Form available below in Related documents. Please complete on your computer, print and submit it in your application. An Adobe version is currently in development and will be available shortly.

Problem concerning customers not receiving confirmation e-mails upon completing an online payment

This is a known issue, which is currently under investigation, regarding payment confirmation e-mails not being received after payment has been made via the website. Please ensure that when making an online payment the Payment Status page is printed prior to clicking Complete Payment. Please then send this page along with your application.

Members of the public please note

We are closed to the public. Please do not visit the Legalisation Office in person. Send all applications by post.