How long does it take to get an apostille?

Our standard processing time for getting an apostille is 2-3 days. Here is what 2 to 3 days mean: If your documents arrive by 10 am , it will take 2 days If your documents arrive after 10 am , then it will take 3 days (+ next-day return delivery if required) We also offer a same-day apostille service. Documents must arrive before 10 am for the same-day service. Documents can be collected around 3 pm the same day. Same-day service assumes you can drop off and collect your documents on the same day at our London office. If a mailing or courier service is utilised, the same day becomes a 24-hour service. Read: how the same-day apostille service works .

How to Get an Apostille for Mediation Agreements

Apostille process overview:

We can apostille both the original and a certified copy
To certify a copy, our solicitors need to see the original
Both versions of mediation agreements must be certified by an FCDO-registered solicitor or notary public in the UK.

10-12 day service costs £122
3-4 day service costs £135.
1 day (next business day) costs £152

The price includes admin, solicitor, FCDO apostille fees, and VAT.

Getting an apostille for mediation agreements, or similar documents like settlement schemes, treaties, concession agreements, compromise arrangements, and similar negotiated understandings, must first be certified by a UK, FCDO-registered solicitor or notary public.

Then the certified mediation agreement can be apostilled.

We can return the legalised documents via DHL or Royal Mail (next-day service), or you can collect them in person.

Jump to: How much does it cost? ↓ How long does it take?

The order process:

If you have any questions, please call 0207 0500 692

Step one:

The original and the copy must be certified by a solicitor or notary public. You can arrange this yourself, or we can take of it for you.

Step two:

Contact our office.

When emailing, please provide the following information:

In which country will your settlement agreement be used?
How soon do you need the apostille?
How will the document be delivered and returned?

When we have all the information, the team will assess your enquiry and give you a personalised quote.

If you accept the quotation, the process of getting an apostille starts.

Step three:

Once your mediation agreement has been apostilled, we will send you a scanned copy via email.

If you are not collecting your apostilled document from our London office – we will provide you with the tracking number given by the courier.

Note that we return documents by DHL or Royal Mail only. If you want to make other arrangements, please let us know.

How much does it cost?

For business documents, prices are as follows:

10-12 day service cost £122
3-4-day service costs £135.
1 day (next business day) costs £152

The price includes admin, solicitor, FCDO fees, and VAT.

There could be additional costs, depending on another service you choose and how many documents you wish to apostille. Additional cost examples are:

Translations start from £65
Notarisation by notary public (+ £96)
Return delivery costs (+ £12)
Embassy legalisation (from + £75)

Call: 0207 0500 692

Send your enquiry via email

Our fast-track apostille options

There are three options for getting an apostille in the UK.

Option one: 1 day (next business day)

Documents must arrive before 9:00 am for the next-day service.
Documents can be collected around 3:30 pm the next day.

Option two: 3 to 4 days:

If documents arrive after 9:30 am, it will take 3-4 days

Option three: e-Apostille 5 to 48 hours

If the document qualifies for an e-apostille, it is usually completed within 24 hours but can take two working days, depending on the FCDO’s workload.

Do I have to come to your office?

No, you don’t need to attend our office in Westminster. Documents can be sent by courier or by post. We recommend using a tracked service if you send your documents by post. We return your documents in the same way.

You are, of course, welcome to drop the documents off in person. However, delivering in person requires that you have an order number. Please make sure you contact our office first.

If you need to sign a document in front of a notary, then you need to make an appointment with a notary and attend in person. We can arrange a notary appointment for you.

Can informal mediation agreements be apostilled?

In most cases, a mediation agreement reached informally (without the participation of a solicitor or mediator) are eligible for a apostille certificate if certified by a UK solicitor or notary public.

However, informal agreements may not have all the legal requirements, such as terms, conditions, and signatures that are essential that the agreement can be accepted in the country that it is used in.

It’s also worth noting that some foreign countries may not accept informal agreements even if they have been apostilled. It’s always best to check with the foreign court or government agency to determine their specific requirements for apostilled documents.

The apostilled mediation agreement was rejected: What now?

There are several possible reasons why a foreign authority might reject apostilled agreements:

The foreign country may have different legal requirements.
The document may be deemed to be inauthentic or tampered with.
The document was not properly certified by a solicitor before the apostille was issued.
The foreign court or authority may not recognise the apostille as valid.

If an apostilled mediation agreement is rejected, the parties may need legal advice to determine the next steps.

They may have to have the document re-certified by a solicitor or notarised, or they may need to take legal action to enforce the agreement.

Ultimately, the outcome will depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the laws and regulations in the foreign country where the agreement is intended to be enforced.

What are types of mediation agreements that can be apostilled?

Here are a few more examples of mediation agreements that can be apostilled in the UK, but it is by no means an exhaustive list.

Settlement agreements

These agreements are reached between the parties in a dispute and often include terms for resolving the dispute and any financial compensation that may be involved.

Parenting plans

These agreements are used in child custody cases and outline the terms for the care and custody of the child or children.

Divorce agreements

These agreements are used to settle the terms of a divorce, including the division of property, spousal support, and child custody.

Business agreements

These agreements are used in commercial disputes and often include terms for resolving the dispute and any financial compensation that may be involved.

Pre-mediation agreements

These agreements are used to set the terms and expectations of the mediation process before it begins.

Post-mediation agreements

These agreements are used to formalise the agreements reached during the mediation process.

Mediation summary

Agreements that summarise the outcome of the mediation process, including the agreements reached and any action items.

Call +44 (0) 207 0500 692

Enquire or order a UK apostille

References

This article has been written by experts and fact-checked by experts. We only link to high-quality sources like government information & data, original reporting and interviews with industry experts. Reputable publishers are also sourced and cited where appropriate to support the facts within our articles.