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What Is a Set of Documents with One Apostille?
Instead of legalising each document separately, you can group multiple related documents into one ‘set’. This can be arranged for academic certificates, some personal papers and company documents. A solicitor certifies this set with a cover sheet, and one apostille is applied to the entire bundle. This approach can save time and money, but it’s not always suitable or accepted.
When Is This Approach Suitable?
A single apostille for a document set is typically used for:
- Academic records (e.g., degree and transcript)
- Employment documents
- Company documents
- Payroll records
However, some authorities require individual apostilles for each document. For example, the embassies of the UAE and Qatar do not accept bundled documents. Individual organisations may want separate apostilles on each document.
Additionally, you can only include documents for one person or one company in a set.
How Is a Document Set Prepared?
The process involves three main steps:
- Document Verification: The solicitor checks the documents for authenticity. If originals are provided, they examine features like seals and signatures. For copies, they may need to verify them with the issuing institution.
- Cover Sheet Preparation: A cover sheet is created, detailing the documents included and whether they’re originals or copies. The solicitor signs and dates this sheet.
- Binding the Set: To prevent tampering, the documents are bound together using legal fasteners, tape, or seals. This process may involve hole-punching the documents.
Key Considerations
- Acceptance: Not all countries or authorities accept document sets with a single apostille. Always check the specific requirements of the destination country.
- Content: Only include documents for one individual or entity in a set.
- Originals vs. Copies: Decide whether to use original documents or certified copies, as this affects the verification process.
- Document Binding: To ‘bind’ documents into one set, they will be hole punched and legal fasteners added to securely collate them as one set. It is essential you understand this.
Costs and Processing Time
The cost for preparing a set of documents with one apostille is typically around £130. Processing usually takes 1 to 2 working days, plus return delivery time.
Final Thoughts
Using a single apostille for a set of documents can be efficient, but it’s essential to confirm that this method is acceptable for your specific situation. Always verify the requirements of the receiving country or authority before proceeding.
