What documents can be certified by a UK solicitor for legalisation?

A UK solicitor can certify a wide range of documents to prepare them for legalisation, typically by obtaining an apostille from the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office).

This certification confirms the document’s authenticity for use in another country.

A solicitor can certify both copies of documents and, in certain cases, the original documents themselves.

Here are some common categories and examples of documents that a UK solicitor can certify:

• Passports: Solicitors frequently certify copies of passports, as the original cannot be submitted for legalisation.
• Driving licences: Similar to passports, copies of driving licences are certified.
• Educational certificates: These include degrees, diplomas, transcripts, and other academic records. A solicitor can certify copies of these documents.
• ID Documents: For e-Apostilles

• Powers of attorney: A solicitor can witness and certify your signature.
• Affidavits and statutory declarations: These sworn statements require a solicitor (or Notary Public) to administer the oath/affirmation and witness the signature.
• Contracts and agreements: A solicitor can witness signatures on contracts for international use.
• Company documents: These can include Certificates of Incorporation, Articles of Association, and resolutions.

• Any document: A solicitor can certify documents ready for the e-Apostille procedure. The solicitor will need an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) or Qualified Electronic Signature (QES).

• Educational documents: While copies are standard, a solicitor can also certify the authenticity of an original degree, diploma, or transcript, particularly if the FCDO doesn’t recognise the issuing institution’s signature/seal. They would verify the document’s authenticity with the awarding body.
• DBS certificates: Similar to educational documents, a solicitor can certify the authenticity of an original Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate.
• Other potentially certifiable originals: This can include certain professionally issued certificates or documents where the issuing body’s details are not on the FCDO database. The solicitor would verify the authenticity with the issuer.

• Any foreign document: A solicitor can help legalise original documents issued abroad. The solicitor verifies the document’s authenticity with the issuing authority.

Original and copies of translations: A UK solicitor can certify both the original translation and copies of the translated document, and the document is in English.

Crucially, this relies on the translator providing a statement or certification confirming that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original. The solicitor certifies the translator’s statement and/or witnesses the translator’s signature, not verifying the translation’s accuracy themselves.

Important considerations:

• Notary Public vs. solicitor: A UK solicitor’s certification is usually sufficient for obtaining an FCDO apostille. However, some countries or situations might require notarisation.
• Direct apostille of some originals: Certain original documents issued by UK government bodies (like GRO certificates or ACRO Police Certificates) can often be apostilled directly by the FCDO, without solicitor certification, if the official’s signature/seal is registered.
• E-Apostille: Some documents cannot be e-Apostilled.

In essence, a UK solicitor provides a vital service in verifying the authenticity of a wide array of original documents and their copies, making them suitable for the apostille process and international legalisation.