If a UK document has multiple official signatures, which one gets the apostille?

This is a very practical question, and based on our extensive experience processing documents, the FCDO generally issues the apostille against the most recent signature or seal added by a UK public official – crucially, this includes UK solicitors and Notary Publics – whose details are registered with them.

The FCDO needs one signature or seal they can confidently verify to attach the apostille to.

When presented with a document that has potentially been signed or certified multiple times, they typically focus on the final authentication step carried out by a professional whose credentials they recognise.

This is often the solicitor or notary, whose involvement makes many documents eligible for an apostille in the first place (see FAQ: whether the Hague Convention requires notarisation)

Here are examples based on what we commonly see:

Documents from the GRO, like birth and marriage certificates, are apostilled based directly on the original registrar’s signature/seal, as the FCDO recognises these. However, if, for example, the registrar’s signature is not registered with the FCDO, a solicitor or notary can certify the certificate as an ‘original document’.

The FCDO will then issue the apostille against the solicitor’s signature because that’s the final, verifiable authentication presented to them.

These originals have a verifiable Companies House signature that the FCDO can apostille directly. However, we frequently encounter situations where an overseas authority explicitly demands that the Certificate of Good Standing is also notarised.

If we arrange for a Notary Public to add their certification to the original Certificate of Good Standing, the FCDO will issue the apostille against the Notary Public’s signature/seal, as it’s the most recent addition by a registered professional.

While the FCDO defaults to the latest signature, if necessary, it is possible to request that they target an earlier, verifiable official signature on the document.

If the receiving authority insisted on seeing the Companies House signature apostilled, not the notary’s, we can submit the document with clear instructions asking the FCDO to issue the apostille specifically against that original Companies House signature (provided it’s one they can verify). We have successfully resolved cases this way.

Why this matters:

This highlights just how crucial it is to understand the exact requirements of the receiving authority abroad before proceeding (relevant to preventing issues discussed in FAQ: Can FCDO refuse an apostille?). Do they accept an apostille on a solicitor/notary certification, or do they need the original underlying official’s signature (like Companies House) to be apostilled?

Ensuring we get this right from the start is fundamental to our express apostille and urgent apostille services. We clarify requirements and instruct the FCDO appropriately to prevent rejections and delays, securing the fastest way to get an apostille correctly processed for your needs.