Can a notary apostille a document? Get the facts here

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You may have heard that you need notarial services to get an apostille for your document, and you are probably wondering: can a notary apostille a document in the UK?

The question often arises because the apostille process for many types of documents is a multi-step undertaking involving the FCDO and legal professionals, such as notaries and solicitors.

This post breaks down the roles of these authorities and explains the difference between apostille and notary certificates.

TL;DR – Can a notary apostille a document in the UK?

No, a notary cannot apostille a document in the UK.

The only authority that can issue apostilles in the UK is the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

Notary public holding stamp while client submits a document, faces not visible

Key differences between notarisation and apostille

While both notarial and apostille certificates prepare documents for use abroad, they are separate processes governed by different rules.

Here are the key differences:

Issuer: Notarisation is done by notaries public, while apostilles are issued by the FCDO.
Verification: Notaries public verify the identities and the legal capacities of the signatories, the lack of undue influence, and the authenticity of signatures/stamps. Apostilles verify the authority of the official whose signature/stamp appears on the document.
Where it is used: Notarised documents can be used domestically and internationally. Apostilles are used internationally in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention.

Can a notary apostille a document? And why not…

No, a notary cannot apostille a document because they are not the authority charged by the UK government to process document legalisations.

A notary public is an internationally recognised legal professional who acts as an impartial witness. Their roles include:

Verifying the identities of the signatories
Confirming legal capacity
Verifying a lack of duress/undue influence
Verifying the authenticity of signatures and stamps

Therefore, while notarisation confirms the authenticity of the signature and the proper execution of a document, it does not constitute document legalisation.

Who can issue an apostille?

The competent authority designated by the UK government to issue apostilles is the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

The UK is a contracting party to the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. The convention sought to abolish traditional document legalisation, which was a long and complex process. To streamline the process, it required member countries to:

Adopt a standard certificate (the apostille certificate)
Designate a competent authority to issue the apostille certificate (the UK designated the FCDO)

Therefore, an apostille issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office will generally be accepted by authorities and institutions in over 125 countries that are parties to the convention.

Note: if your destination is a country that is not party to the convention (e.g., the UAE, Angola, Egypt, Malaysia, Thailand, Kuwait, and Qatar), you can use an apostille certificate, but there is an additional requirement for embassy attestation.

FCDO building or office responsible for issuing apostilles in the UK

Options to get an apostille in the UK

You can get an apostille from the FCDO by applying directly or going through an FCDO-registered agent or facilitator.

You’ll find the DIY route inefficient because:

It takes too long (typically takes over 3 weeks).
The FCDO has specific requirements to make a document apostille-ready. Your document may get rejected if you don’t know the rules.
Where prior document certification is required, you may have to coordinate solicitors or notaries on your own.

Using an FCDO-registered agent helps solve these inefficiencies.

We’re London Apostille Services Ltd., an FCDO-registered apostille agent with over 15 years of experience facilitating document legalisations for numerous destinations around the world.

Here’s how working with us to process your apostilles makes all the difference:

We drop off and pick up documents at the FCDO Legalisation Office every working day, ensuring you can get your apostille as soon as the next working day.
We ensure your documents are apostille-ready, eliminating rejections and delays that can be costly when you have an urgent request.
We have reliable London notaries and solicitors in our network to handle notarisation/certification, so you don’t have to coordinate multiple service providers.

Further, we can facilitate the legalisation of your UK documents even if you are currently outside of the country.

Contact us today to get your documents notarised and/or apostilled. We facilitate both FCDO apostilles and consular legalisations.

The notary-to-apostille process, step by step

Notaries are often involved in the apostille process when you’re dealing with a document that is not a government-issued original.

For instance, if the requesting authority asks you to apostille a sworn translation of your degree certificate, the translation should be notarised first before it can be apostilled.

For such cases, the apostille process is as follows:

Find an FCDO-registered notary independently or use the vetted notaries in our network
Attend the notarisation in person or utilise remote notarisation where applicable
Submit the notarised document to the FCDO for an apostille
The FCDO delivers the apostilled document to you. If you use our services, you can pick it up at our office, or we’ll send it to you via Royal Mail or DHL.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some common questions about notarisations and apostilles.

Is notarisation enough if I’m not using the document abroad?

Yes, notarisation is sufficient if you are only using the document domestically.

However, because an urgent need to use the document abroad can arise at any time, it is always a good idea to get an apostille as well.

How much does notarisation plus apostille cost?

The FCDO fees for an apostille are £35 for an e-apostille and £45 for a paper-based apostille. Notary fees vary because each notary sets their own rates.

That said, we offer an all-inclusive apostille service fee that includes our fees, FCDO fees, and solicitor/notary fees. Our transparent pricing breaks down as follows:

1-Day Apostille Service:
- No certification: £97/document.
- With solicitor certification: £135/document.
- With notarisation and apostille: £220/document.
3-4 Day Apostille Service:
- No certification: £87/document.
- With solicitor certification: £120/document.
- With notarisation and apostille: £210/document.

What’s the turnaround for a notarised document to be apostilled?

If you navigate the process on your own, it will likely take over 3 weeks. Using London Apostille Services Ltd., the apostille will be ready the next working day (our Express Service) or within 3 to 4 working days (our Standard Service).

How can I verify if my notary is recognised in the UK?

The Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury regulates notaries in the UK, and you can verify if your notary is entitled to practise by searching its website.

Nonetheless, for the purpose of an apostille, it is best to use an FCDO-registered notary. You can find such a notary by using the vetted notaries in our network.

Get your apostille done right

While notarisation is an essential step in the apostille process for many types of documents, it is only one part of the document legalisation equation. You must also ensure your document meets the specific requirements of your destination country.

At London Apostille Services Ltd., we do everything right the first time, helping you avoid costly rejections and delays.