Official Embassy Attestation of UK Documents

Embassy attestation is a process that countries outside the Hague Convention require. It involves getting your UK documents officially recognised by a foreign embassy in London.

This “stamp of approval” verifies the authenticity of your documents’ signatures and seals, confirming a legitimate authority issued them.

Before submitting your documents to the embassy, you’ll usually need to authenticate them by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (The FCDO) with an apostille certificate. This additional step ensures that your documents meet the specific requirements of the foreign country.

The embassy attestation process in London

Step 1: Notarisation or certification (if needed)

Some documents may need a notary public or solicitor to witness your signature and certify the document’s authenticity.
Check the requirements of the specific embassy.

Step 2: FCDO apostille

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) adds an “apostille” certificate to your document, making it acceptable to embassies.
Processing time: This can be standard service (a few days) or premium if available.

Step 3: Embassy attestation

You submit your notarised and apostilled document to the relevant embassy in London.
Embassies have their own fees and processing times. Check their website for details.

Important note: Always double-check the specific requirements on the embassy website where you plan to use your documents.

Realistic timelines

The entire process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on these factors:

Whether notarisation is required
FCDO processing time (standard vs. premium)
Embassy-specific turnaround time
Additional steps like translation or Chamber of Commerce legalisation

Tip: Start the process well in advance of when you need the attested documents to avoid any last-minute delays.

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When expert attestation services make all the difference

Complex requirements: If the country has multiple steps or unclear regulations.
Tight deadlines: When you need your documents attested quickly.
Multiple documents: If you’re handling several documents at once.
Peace of mind: If you prefer a hands-off approach and want the assurance of experienced professionals.

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An attestation service that you can rely on.

Experience

Knowledge of rules and procedures ensures we avoid delays and rejected documents.

Professional

Preparing documents to meet both embassy and governmental office requirements.

Trust Worthy

We guarantee that your documents are attested or we refund our fee.

Why use our London embassy attestation service?

We are experienced, we will save you time and money and we guarantee our service or your money back.

1000+

Attestations completed

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From the FCDO building

Daily visits

Milton Keynes office

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Happy customers

Business customers

For corporate enquiries call 0207 0500 692 or email hello@apostillelondon.com

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Transparent pricing for every attestation route

We show you exactly what you’re paying for – no hidden charges or surprise fees at checkout.

What makes up the total cost:

What’s included in our price:

Free document eligibility check before you commitsolicitor certification
Digital PDF scans are sent immediately after attestation
Tracked return delivery within the UK
Phone and email support throughout
Our service guarantee

Email us your document details and destination country for an exact quote. We respond within a few hours on business days.

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Choose how your attested documents return to you

We handle your documents like the irreplaceable records they are.

UK delivery options:

Royal Mail Special Delivery: Next-day delivery with tracking and signature. Fully insured. This is what most clients choose.solicitor certification
UK Next Working Day Courier (DHL): Faster delivery with full tracking and signature required.

International returns:

DHL Express: Worldwide delivery in 1-3 working days with full tracking
Royal Mail or Airmail: Available upon request (additional charges apply)

For physical collection, you can pick up your documents at our central London office between 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday to Friday.

Need to collect outside these hours? Contact us to arrange.

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We catch embassy errors before they happen

Embassy rejection wastes your money and time, sometimes £200+ in fees and several weeks in delays. Our systematic checking prevents this.

Common mistakes we see:

Name mismatches between your passport and certificates
Wrong certificate types (short versions when full versions are needed)
Missing supporting documents required by specific embassies
Bundling errors (some embassies accept bundles, others don’t)

Embassies change their rules without much notice. We track these changes and update our procedures so your documents meet current requirements.

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FAQs

What is embassy attestation?

In simple terms, embassy attestation is an official verification process that makes your documents legally recognised in a foreign country. Think of it as a ‘stamp of approval’ that confirms the document is genuine and issued by a legitimate authority in your home country.

Why is it needed?

Countries that are not part of the Hague Convention usually require embassy attestation to ensure the authenticity of documents used for official purposes:

Obtaining visas
Conducting business
Getting married
Attending university

Let’s illustrate with an example:

If you have a UK birth certificate and need to use it for a visa application in Qatar (a non-Hague Convention country), it will likely need embassy attestation from the Qatar Embassy in London.

How long does the embassy attestation process take?

The timeline varies depending on the embassy and any additional requirements. LAS can provide a more accurate estimate for your specific needs based on your documents and destination country.

Can I attest documents from another country in London?

Generally, you’ll need to start the process in the country where the document was issued. However, LAS may be able to assist with additional steps as needed.

What's the difference between legalisation and attestation?

Sometimes, these terms are used interchangeably. “Legalisation” often refers to the overall process, including any steps before the embassy. “Attestation” specifically refers to the embassy’s confirmation.

Why use an attestation agency?

Save time and avoid frustration: Embassy attestation involves multiple steps, each with its own rules. Agencies navigate the process efficiently on your behalf.
Reduce the risk of mistakes: Understanding embassy requirements can be complex. Agencies have the experience and knowledge to prevent rejections that cause delays.
Simplified process: Agencies often handle all steps, from notarisation and apostilles to embassy submission, offering you a single point of contact.
Peace of mind: Experienced agencies provide insurance and secure document handling, which is especially important with restrictions since COVID-19.

Bottom Line: While you can do it yourself, agencies offer expertise and convenience, making it a worthwhile investment for many people.

Can I get the documents attested myself?

Yes, you can get documents attested yourself. Doing it yourself requires knowing each government body’s proper process and requirements.

You must find and pay for the solicitor’s or notary’s, postage, and FCDO fees and ensure your documents are shipped back securely.

Then, make an appointment with the embassy and follow all their instructions, post the documents (or go in person), pay the fees, and collect your documents from the embassy.

You could also avoid the back-and-forth by choosing an agency to handle the attestation procedures. As a registered agency, our service aims to ease the process for you.

Allow our team to take care of the procedures — saving you time, effort, and money, and you get your documents attested – guaranteed.

Can British Embassy certify documents?

British embassies and consulates can certify documents but can not attest to them. If a consular official certifies a document and you need to obtain a UK apostille, the consular official signature must be registered with the FCDO to get an apostille. Otherwise, you will need a UK FCDO registered notary or solicitor to provide the certification.

Do embassies accept digital or scanned documents?

No. Embassies require physical original documents with paper-based apostilles. This is non-negotiable across all countries.

The UK offers e-apostilles, but no embassies accept them for attestation. You need the traditional paper apostille attached to your physical document.

For initial review: We can check scanned copies to confirm eligibility and advise on requirements before you post anything. But actual processing needs the physical documents.

What counts as originals:

Civil documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) must be originals with wet-ink seals
Educational documents can be certified copies if a solicitor verifies the original first
Commercial documents like incorporation certificates typically work as certified copies
Police clearance certificates (ACRO, DBS) must be originals—copies aren’t accepted

What happens if the embassy rejects my document?

Rejection means the embassy refused to attest your document because it didn’t meet their requirements. The document returns without the final stamp.

Common rejection reasons include:

Name mismatches between documents
Missing supporting documents
Incorrect certification type
Format non-compliance (laminated documents, missing pages)

Most issues are fixable – you can provide corrected documents and resubmit. Embassy fees apply again on resubmission. FCDO fees from the first attempt aren’t refundable.