Verifying a UK-issued e-Apostille is done exclusively online through the official Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office verification service.

This is a free and straightforward process. You cannot verify an e-apostille by phone or by visual inspection (as you might with some aspects of a paper apostille). 

Steps to verify:

  1. Access the verification service: Go to the official FCDO Legalisation Office website: www.gov.uk/verify-apostille . Always access the verification service through the official gov.uk website to avoid potential scams or fraudulent websites. Do not rely on links from other sources.
  2. Enter the e-Apostille reference number: Locate the unique reference number on the e-Apostille itself. This number is usually prominently displayed on the e-Apostille certificate (which is embedded within the PDF document).
  3. Submit the request: Enter the reference number into the designated field on the verification webpage and submit the request (usually by clicking a “Verify” or similar button).
  4. Review the results: The verification service will instantly display the results, confirming whether the e-Apostille is genuine. The results will typically show:
    • Confirmation that the e-Apostille is valid (or a message indicating it is not valid).
    • The date the e-Apostille was issued.
    • The name of the person who signed the apostilled document (i.e., the solicitor/notary).