Unlike a paper apostille, an e-Apostille is issued electronically and can usually be completed between 5 hours and 2 working days, depending on document checks and FCDO processing.

We’ll confirm whether your document qualifies, arrange solicitor or notary e-signature support where needed, and send the completed PDF once approved.

Our FCDO-registered business has processed 1000+ digital apostilles for clients worldwide. From university degrees heading to China to power of attorney documents for Spain.

Per document
e-Apostille only
£55
e-Apostille + Solicitor
£97
e-Apostille + Notarisation
£187
Per document
e-Apostille only
£55
e-Apostille + Solicitor
£143
e-Apostille + Notarisation
£205

Personal Documents

from £97

For personal certificates and documents. Choose e-Apostille only, or add solicitor certification or notarisation if your destination requires it.

Pricing (three tiers):

  • e-apostille only – £55

  • e-Apostille + Solicitor – £97

  • e-Apostille + Notarisation – £187

Checklist: 

  • e-Apostille from £55 per document
  • e-Solicitor certification available
  • e-Notarisation available
  • Real-time order updates
  • No hidden fees or surprises
  • Free digital scans
  • Unlimited free support

Business Documents

from £143

For company and commercial documents. Choose e-Apostille only, or have us arrange solicitor certification or notarisation in a single order.

Pricing (three tiers):

  • e-Apostille only — £55

  • e-Apostille + Solicitor — £143

  • e-Apostille + Notarisation — £205

Checklist:

  • e-Apostille from £55 per document

  • e-Solicitor certification handled in-house

  • e-Notarisation available
  • FCDO submission same day
  • No delays, no chasing required

  • Free support included

Is an e-Apostille right for your UK document?

An e-Apostille is best suited to UK documents that can be verified digitally or certified with an accepted electronic signature. It is often used for company documents, HMRC documents, digitally issued court documents, educational certificates, employment letters and professional qualifications.

It is not the right route for every document. Birth, death, marriage, and adoption certificates, DBS records, and documents required for embassy or consular legalisation usually require a paper apostille instead.

Per document
e-Apostille only
£55
e-Apostille + Solicitor
£97
e-Apostille + Notarisation
£187
Per document
e-Apostille only
£55
e-Apostille + Solicitor
£143
e-Apostille + Notarisation
£205

e-Apostille vs paper apostille (UK)

Question e-Apostille Paper apostille
Format Digital PDF Physical certificate
Delivery Email Post or courier
FCDO timeframe Up to 2 working days 15+ working days
Best for Eligible digital or electronically certified documents Original certificates, DBS, ACRO, civil records and documents needing physical handling
Verification Online FCDO verification Physical certificate and official checks

Still have questions about how e-Apostille works, which countries accept it, or how it differs from a paper apostille? Read our e-Apostille FAQ for full answers.

Per document
e-Apostille only
£55
e-Apostille + Solicitor
£97
e-Apostille + Notarisation
£187
Per document
e-Apostille only
£55
e-Apostille + Solicitor
£143
e-Apostille + Notarisation
£205

Documents that qualify for e-apostille:

Personal documents

  • Certificate of residence (we need to see the original)
  • Copy of driving licence (verification is required)
  • Copy of passport (we need to see original)
  • Court documents issued digitally
  • Decree absolute, decree nisi issued digitally.
  • Degree certificates (verification required)
  • Educational certificates (verification required)
  • Employment letters (verification required)
  • HMRC documents – issued digitally
  • P60, p45 issued digitally
  • Professional qualifications
  • TEFL certificates

Business documents

  • Certificate of incorporation
  • Memorandum of association
  • Articles of association
  • CS01 – Confirmation statement
  • Companies House documents
  • Company registers
  • Company accounts (verification required)
  • Change of address document
  • Share Certificates – subject to Companies House checks
  • Certificate of residence (we need to see the original)
  • HMRC Documents – issued digitally
  • Certificate of Free Sale

Documents excluded from e-Apostille service:

Currently, some documents do not qualify for an e-Apostille and require a traditional physical apostille. The list includes:

  • Birth, Death, Marriage, Adoption, Certificates

  • Civil Union Records
  • Non-Impediment Certificates
  • ACRO, NPCC, DBS Records
  • Official Police Verifications
  • Finger Print Papers
  • Solicitor Documents with Handwritten Signatures
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • Any documents required to be legalised by Consulates or High Commissions

How our e-apostille process works

Getting your e-apostille UK takes four simple steps:

  • Step 1: Document preparation: We check your document to see if it qualifies for e-apostille processing. If you need notarisation or solicitor certification, we arrange it with our FCDO-registered professionals.

  • Step 2: Digital signing: Your document receives a qualified electronic signature that meets UK FCDO standards.

  • Step 3: FCDO processing: We submit your digitally signed document to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. They verify the signature and attach the electronic apostille certificate.

  • Step 4: Delivery: You receive your completed e-apostille as a protected PDF file via email within 1-2 days.

Why you should choose e-apostille over traditional apostille

When comparing e-apostille and paper apostille options, digital processing wins on speed, cost, and convenience:

  • Speed matters: Traditional apostilles take 2-3 weeks through standard channels or 3-4 business days via agency. Our e-apostille service delivers next-day results.

  • Better security: Digital apostilles use cryptographic signatures (advanced qualified electronic signature) from UK-registered solicitors or notaries.

  • Cost efficiency: The FCDO charges £35 for e-apostilles versus £45 (+ administrative fees + solicitor/notary fees) for traditional versions. You also eliminate postage costs.

  • Instant delivery: E-apostilles are available for immediate download from the FCDO system once processed.

  • Environmental benefit: Digital processing eliminates paper and shipping.

Important note: Not every country accepts the e-apostille format yet, so confirm with your receiving authority before choosing digital processing.

Submit documents online

Save time with streamlined digital authentication

Traditional apostille processing involves multiple steps that eat up your time:

  • Printing and posting documents

  • Waiting 15-20 business days for processing

  • Arranging collection or return posting

  • Risk of documents getting lost in transit

Our e-apostille service eliminates these delays. Submit your documents online and receive results digitally.

Improve compliance for international legal requirements

E-apostilles have the same legal power as paper apostilles under the Hague Convention.

  • International recognition: Over 50 countries issue and accept e-apostilles through the Electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP).

  • Audit trail: Recipients can verify authenticity using the FCDO’s online verification system anytime.

  • Regulatory compliance: E-apostilles meet eIDAS standards for digital signatures, ensuring UK and EU compliance.

Gain peace of mind with verified apostille experts

Our team brings 15+ years of document legalisation experience to every order.

  • FCDO registration matters: FCDO registration matters: Only FCDO-registered agents can offer next-day apostille processing.

  • Professional qualifications: We work with a network of FCDO-registered solicitors and notaries who hold current practising certificates.

  • Quality guarantee: If your properly processed e-apostille gets rejected due to our error, we provide a full refund under our refund policy.

When your documents matter, choose the team that thousands trust to get them authenticated properly.

Achieve hassle-free cross-border transactions

International business moves fast. Delays in document authentication can cost deals or academic opportunities.

E-apostilles remove the friction from cross-border transactions:

  • Instant document sharing: Email your apostilled documents directly to overseas recipients. No courier delays or customs holds.

  • Multiple format options: Need both digital and paper versions? We can provide traditional apostilles alongside e-apostilles for maximum flexibility.

  • No physical damage risk: Digital documents can’t get damaged, lost, or delayed in transit. Your e-apostilled documents arrive in perfect condition every time.

  • Backup copies included: Store multiple copies of your e-apostille securely. If recipients need additional copies, simply forward the same authenticated file — no reprocessing required.

Business hours support and assistance

Questions about your e-apostille requirements? We’re here to help during business hours.

Contact us through:

  • Live chat on our website (8am-7pm, Monday to Friday)

  • Phone support for urgent queries (8am-5pm, Monday to Friday)

  • Email responses within 2 hours during business days

Process documents instantly

Start your e-apostille service request today

Ready to experience faster, more secure document authentication?

Get started in three ways:

We’ll confirm your document eligibility, processing timeline, and total costs upfront. No surprises or hidden fees.

Contact London Apostille Services Ltd today and discover why thousands trust us with their most important documents.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to the most common questions about our e-apostille service:

An e-apostille service provides digital authentication for documents that need international recognition.

We arrange for qualified electronic signatures from FCDO-registered professionals, then submit your documents to the legalisation office for digital apostille attachment.

Over 58 countries now accept e-apostilles, including major destinations like Spain, Germany, Australia, Singapore, and the United States. However, acceptance varies by specific organisation within each country.

Most e-apostille orders are complete within the FCDO’s official timeframe of up to 48 hours. Applications submitted early in the morning (before 9 AM UK time) often process much faster. It depends on the FCDO’s workload.

Yes, both personal and business documents can get e-apostilles if they meet the requirements:

  • Personal documents like degree certificates, employment letters, and court papers.
  • Business documents like incorporation certificates, company accounts, and HMRC documents.

Some document types, like birth certificates and DBS checks, require traditional apostille processing.

E-apostille security system uses a qualified electronic signature (QES) or an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) and cryptographic protection that exceeds traditional paper security.

Digital signatures prevent document tampering — any alteration breaks the signature’s validity.

Our e-apostille pricing starts from £97 per document for basic processing. Documents requiring notarisation cost £167 for personal documents and £179 for business documents.

E-apostilles derive legal validity from the same source as traditional apostilles — the Hague Apostille Convention. The UK government’s FCDO issues both formats with identical legal standing.

However, e-apostille acceptance varies between different countries and institutions, so you should confirm with your receiving authority before choosing digital processing.

Get your e-apostille

Quick checklist before you start:

  • Upload documents in PDF format.
  • Documents must be certified with a UK FCDO-registered solicitor or notary e-signature (If needed,  we can assist with e-signatures).
  • For notarisations, share scanned ID and UK address proof.
  • Some documents may require additional verification.

Adobe PDF logoThe e-apostille is delivered as a PDF. The PDF contains a ‘cover sheet’ that explains how to access the files and e-apostille inside the PDF. Here is a screenshot of the e-apostille cover sheet from the FCDO:

e-apostille PDF cover letter (info) (info) (info) (info)

Please note: 

When you receive the e-apostille by email, it will be a PDF attachment. Don’t just open it in your email.

Instead, save the PDF to your device and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader on your desktop or laptop.

Viewing the e-apostille on ‘Mobile‘ and ‘Tablets‘ will not work with Acrobat Reader.