Apostilles for Certificate of Residence

Apostille service overview:

To get a UK apostille, we need the original HMRC certificate
Although certified copies can be apostilled, we recommend that the original certificate of residence is apostilled.

3-4 days and starts from £87 per document
24-hour service from £97 per document

Prices are per document and include the apostille certificate, all fees, and VAT.

An apostille on your HMRC residency document requires:

Original with wet ink signature: Preferred for FCDO acceptance.
Certified copy: If no wet ink signature, a solicitor can certify your original certificate.
Unrecognised signature: Solicitor certification or FCDO registration can be arranged.

Notes:

Apostille is usually on original, but certified copies are accepted.
Typically only the attached document needs apostille.
This differs from business-specific certificates.

How to order: 

Step one:

Confirm whether your UK certificate of residence is a physical or digital copy, such as a PDF. Ensure an HMRC official has signed your letter of residence.

Step two:

If your HMRC certificate of residence isn’t original or lacks an official signature, it needs solicitor certification. You can mail us the original or drop it off at our office.

Step three:

Contact our office. Please provide the following information:

Is your residency certificate already certified?
In which country will your certificate be used?
How soon do you need the apostille?
Will you be mailing or dropping off the documents?
Any other information that we need to know about

Once we have all the information, the team will assess your enquiry and provide you with a detailed quotation.

Step four:

As soon as your residency certificate has been apostilled, we will email you a scanned copy to let you know it is on its way or ready for collection.

If you are not collecting your apostilled certificate from our London office, we will provide you with the tracking number the courier gave you.

Call 0207 0500 692

Order online or get an instant quote

Your fast-track apostille options

Choose the turnaround that fits your deadline.

Option 1: Next business day

Your deed poll must arrive at our office by 9:30 am. It will be ready to collect from around 3:30 pm the following business day

Option 2: 3 to 4 day service

Documents arriving after 9:30 am are processed on the 3 to 4 business day track. This is our most popular option.

Option 3: e-Apostille in 5 to 48 hours

The e-apostille is a digital version of the apostille certificate. If your document qualifies, it is usually completed within 24 hours, but may take 2 working days, depending on the FCDO’s workload.

Most ink-signed deed polls require the paper apostille instead. Contact us if you are unsure which applies to you.

Start your order online

Distinction between a “Letter of confirmation of residence” and a “Certificate of residence

A “Letter of Confirmation of Residence” is issued when you do not have any foreign income or gains but need proof of residence from an overseas tax authority. This could be required due to local laws in the foreign country.

On the other hand, a “Certificate of Residence” is issued when you have foreign income or gains that are declared taxable in the UK. This document is necessary to prove your tax residency status in the UK to foreign authorities.

In both cases, the same application form is used. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will decide whether to issue a “Letter of Confirmation of Residence” or a “Certificate of Residence” based on the information you provide in the form.

What information is found on the certificate of residence?

The information found on a tax residency certificate or HMRC certificate of residence issued in the UK includes the following:

For individuals:

The total number of days you were in the UK during a specific tax year.
Whether or not you spent less than 183 days in the UK in the tax year.
The date you arrived or left the UK. As per the SRT rules, in case you left or arrived in the UK in a tax year, you will need a certificate of resident document legalised in the UK, showing the date you ceased being a resident. [2]

For companies that have not yet filed their tax returns:

The name and addresses of each shareholder and director
The reason why the company believes they are residents of the UK.

We provide an apostille service for both individuals as well as companies

Call 0207 0500 692

Order online with confidence

Resolving FCDO rejection of your certificate of residence

Should you encounter a rejection of your certificate of residence from the British Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) due to the presence of a scanned or PDF signature, the appropriate course of action is to reach out to the PAYE helpline at 0300 200 3300.

Let them know your certificate was rejected and specify that you need one with a “wet” or handwritten signature.

Or, get an FCDO registered solicitor to certify your residency certificate.

Also read: Signature registration with the FCDO explained

Why is an apostille required for the HMRC certificate of residence?

An apostille for your Certificate of tax residence or HMRC certificate of residence provides proof of paying tax when conducting business outside the UK.

The apostille also entitles the company to gain relief for double taxation.

If the business has already paid the tax, the firm may be entitled to a refund from the tax office.

Who provides the apostille?

The FCDO provides the apostille for certificates of residence.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office apostilles all documents issued in the UK. They authenticate the signature on the certificates. You can contact their office directly or use an apostille agency.