table of contents
- Step 1: Check Whether Your Document Is Apostille-Ready
- Step 2: Send a Scan for a Preliminary Review
- Apostille Prices
- Step 3: Post Your Original Document to the UK
- Step 4: Processing and Return Delivery
- Non-Hague Countries and Additional Embassy Attestation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Need help with your documents? –
How to Get a UK Document Apostilled While Overseas
If you are living or travelling outside the UK and need a UK-issued document apostilled, you do not need to return home. UK documents must be processed through the UK apostille process, but the entire process can often be managed remotely with careful planning.
At Hague Apostille, we regularly work with customers based overseas who need their documents legalised under time pressure. As a Registered FCDO Service, we handle every stage of the apostille process on your behalf, from checking your document through to returning it by international courier.
This guide walks you through exactly how to get a UK document apostilled from abroad, step by step, so you can avoid common mistakes, plan realistic timelines and get your documents back as quickly as possible.
Step 1: Check Whether Your Document Is Apostille-Ready
Before sending anything internationally, the first step is to establish whether your document can receive an apostille in its current form. Not all documents are ready for immediate processing. The process depends on what type of document you hold and how it was issued.
| Document Type | Service Required | Original Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Birth, marriage or death certificate (GRO-issued) | Apostille only | Yes |
| Degree or diploma (from a recognised UK institution) | Solicitor certification, then apostille | We require the original or a digital copy alongside direct verification from the University |
| Solicitor-signed document (e.g. power of attorney) | Apostille only | Yes, with wet ink signature. Must be witnessed by a UK based solicitor or notary public |
| Personal document or private letter | Solicitor certification, then apostille | Usually, yes. Pre-certification may be required depending on document type |
| ACRO police certificate | Apostille only | Yes |
| Company documents (e.g. certificate of incorporation) | May need solicitor certification first if not ink signed by Companies House | Usually no. We can usually verify digital versions of the company document against the records held at Companies House |
If your document requires solicitor certification before it can be apostilled, this adds a step but can still be handled in the UK without you being present, depending on the document type. Visit our apostille service page for a full overview of how the process works for different document types.
Step 2: Send a Scan for a Preliminary Review
If you are unsure whether your document is suitable, we recommend sending a clear scan or high-resolution photograph before posting the original. This allows our team to review the document and advise on the likely processing route.
A scan review can help identify potential issues early, such as:
- Missing signatures, stamps or seals that may prevent the apostille from being issued
- Documents that require solicitor certification as an additional step
- Copies that may not be accepted in place of the original
- Documents that have been issued outside the UK and therefore cannot be apostilled through the FCDO
Important: A scan review is a helpful preliminary check, but it does not guarantee the apostille can be completed. Some issues only become apparent when the physical document is examined. We always recommend confirming the full requirements with us before posting your original overseas.
You can contact us by email with your scan attached, along with details of the country and purpose for which the document is needed.
Apostille Prices
Fast apostille – 1 to 2 days legalisation service
Step 3: Post Your Original Document to the UK
For most document types, the physical original (or a suitably certified copy) must be sent to us in the UK. Posting internationally requires some care, so here are practical tips to help your documents arrive safely:
- Use a tracked international courier service. Services such as DHL, FedEx and UPS offer tracking, insurance and signature on delivery. Standard international post is not recommended for important documents.
- Include your order reference number inside the package so we can match your documents to your order immediately on arrival.
- Protect the documents with a card-backed envelope or rigid mailer. Folding, water damage or creasing can affect processing.
- Check local customs requirements. In some countries, sending documents internationally may require a customs declaration. Marking the contents as “documents, no commercial value” is usually sufficient.
Planning courier transit time is essential. Delivery from overseas to the UK can take anywhere from 2 to 10 working days depending on the origin country and courier selected. This is entirely separate from the FCDO processing time once the document reaches us.
For information on our fixed-fee options, visit our apostille prices page.
Step 4: Processing and Return Delivery
Once we receive your documents at our UK office, most eligible documents are processed within 1 to 2 working days. We handle the FCDO apostille application on your behalf and carry out any final quality checks before dispatch.
After processing, your apostilled documents can be returned to your overseas address by international courier. Delivery times vary by destination, but most tracked courier services deliver within 3 to 4 working days to common destinations. We recommend discussing return delivery preferences when you place your order so we can match the courier option to your timeline.
In some cases, an e-apostille may be available for certain document types, which is issued digitally and can be verified electronically. This may reduce waiting time for the return of physical documents, although not all receiving authorities accept e-apostilles. We recommend checking with the requesting organisation in advance.
Tip: When working to a foreign authority deadline, calculate your total timeline as follows: outbound courier to the UK + 1 to 2 working days processing + return courier to your location. Building in a buffer of a few extra days is always advisable.
Non-Hague Countries and Additional Embassy Attestation
An apostille is recognised in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your document is destined for a country that is not a member, the apostille alone may not be sufficient. You may also need embassy or consulate attestation, which is a separate step carried out after the apostille has been issued.
Embassy attestation requirements vary significantly. Processing times, fees and document requirements are set by each individual embassy or consulate and are outside our control. In some cases, embassy attestation can add several weeks to the overall timeline.
We can advise on whether your destination country is a Hague Convention member and whether additional steps are likely to be needed. However, we always recommend confirming the exact requirements directly with the receiving authority or the relevant embassy, as their rules may change without notice.
If you are unsure about the full legalisation route for your particular situation, contact us with details of the document type and destination country and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Requirements can vary depending on the destination country, requesting authority and document type. We can advise on the apostille and legalisation process for UK documents, but you should confirm the exact requirements with the organisation requesting your document before placing an order.
