The short answer is that the Hague Apostille Convention doesn’t include specific provisions for replacing apostille certificates lost or damaged after being correctly issued.

The Convention’s primary focus was creating the standardised apostille and ensuring member countries accepted it as proof of authentication, simplifying the old ‘chain legalisation’ system. It didn’t outline administrative procedures for dealing with post-issuance problems like loss or destruction.

What this means practically:

If your paper apostille certificate, or the document it is attached to, gets lost or damaged to the point that it’s unusable:

  1. No “Duplicates”: You cannot request a duplicate or replacement certificate from the FCDO under the original apostille number.
  2. Start again: The only viable solution is to begin the apostille process anew. This involves:
    • Obtaining a fresh version of the original document (e.g., a new birth certificate from the GRO, a re-issued degree confirmation).
    • If the document type requires it, get it certified or notarised again by a UK solicitor or Notary Public.
    • Submitting a completely new application to the FCDO for a new apostille. This new apostille will have a different number and date than the lost one.

The situation with e-Apostilles:

For e-apostilles, the issue is usually losing the digital PDF file. While the FCDO maintains a permanent record that an apostille was issued (as required by the Convention—related to FAQ how to verify apostilles), the link they provide to download the e-apostilled PDF is typically only active for a limited time (only 21 days).

  • Download promptly: As soon as you receive the file, it is essential to download and securely save (and ideally back up) your e-Apostilled PDF.
  • Lost file: If you lose the file, you cannot just ask for the file again. You will need to reapply for a new e-Apostille, which includes getting the solicitor/notary to sign a new PDF electronically.

How we can help:

Losing an essential apostilled document can cause delays and negate any initial fast-track apostille processing. If you find yourself in this situation, contact us immediately.

As a London-based agency experienced with FCDO procedures, we can efficiently assist you with the re-application process, arranging any necessary re-certification and managing the new submission. If urgency is required, we can use our express apostille service.