The apostille is issued by the UK, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to verify the signature of the legal official who has signed a given document.

If this signature is not already known to the FCDO then further action is required. The signatory, i.e. solicitor, doctor or registrar, must contact the FCDO directly following these instructions –

• Attach a scan of their original wet-ink signature and/or seal
• Confirm the capacity in which they have signed under (i.e. solicitor, medical practitioner, registrar)
• Confirm their official membership number if applicable (i.e. SRA or GMC number)
• Include the following statement ‘I give permission for the FCDO to store my signature on their database

There are also further points to include. If your document is rejected, we will let you know exactly what needs to be done to resolve this.

Previously, the FCDO would attempt to contact the signatory directly with a signature verification request; however, they will no longer be doing so until further notice, and it is now the responsibility of the signatory to submit their signature verification directly to the FCDO.

We will do all we can to assist if a document is rejected and provide advice to our customers on how to quickly take action.