Can I get an apostille for a document that’s already been notarised?

Yes, but it depends on whether the notary’s signature is registered with the FCDO.

The apostille is issued against the notary’s signature on a notarised document.

Therefore, for the FCDO to issue an apostille, the notary public who signed your document must have their signature registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office.

• If the notary’s signature IS registered with the FCDO: We can proceed with obtaining an apostille for your document without any issues.

• If the notary’s signature IS NOT registered with the FCDO: The FCDO will not be able to issue an apostille directly against the notary’s signature. In this case, we recommend one of the following:

• Preferred option: Re-notarisation: The simplest solution is to have your document re-notarised by a notary public whose signature is registered with the FCDO. We can assist you in finding an FCDO-registered notary.

• Alternative option (Less recommended): Solicitor certification: If re-notarisation is not possible (e.g., due to time constraints), a solicitor registered with the FCDO can certify the notarised document as an original.

The apostille would then be issued against the solicitor’s signature, not the original notary’s.

However, we strongly advise you to check with the overseas authority receiving the document to confirm that they will accept an apostille issued in this way before proceeding. It is not a universally accepted practice.

In summary, while it is possible to get an apostille for a document that has already been notarised, it’s essential to ensure that the notary’s signature is registered with the FCDO.

If it isn’t, re-notarisation by an FCDO-registered notary is the best course of action.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are unsure whether your notary is registered with the FCDO or if you need help finding an FCDO-registered notary.

We’re here to help!