Need your documents quickly and reliably certified by a qualified, FCDO-registered Central London solicitor?

We offer a fast, affordable document certification service at our conveniently located office in Westminster (SW1).

Our partner solicitors can certify a wide range of documents, often within the same day or the next day.

We also offer services for witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and electronic certifications (e-certifications).

Get your documents certified professionally, starting from just £30.

Our services and prices – Summary:

Location: Westminster, London (SW1) – 1st Floor, 3 Orchard Place, SW1H 0BF

Services:

  • Certification of Original Documents
  • Solicitor Certification of Copies
  • Witnessing Signatures
  • Administering Oaths
  • E-Certification (Remote Service)

Prices:

  • Solicitor Certification: From £30 per document
  • Solicitor E-Certification: From £55 per document
  • Discounts available for 3+ documents

Turnaround: Same-day or next-day service is available for most in-office certifications. E-certifications are usually completed within 24-48 hours.

Note: It is advisable to call ahead to confirm solicitor availability for in-office certifications.

Our London SW1 document certification services

We understand the importance of having your documents certified correctly and promptly. Our process ensures a hassle-free experience:

  • Same-day or next-day certification for most documents.
  • Prices start from £30 per document, with discounts for three or more.
  • Our partner solicitors are fully qualified and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
  • Easily accessible office in the heart of Westminster (SW1).
  • We certify various documents, including IDs, educational certificates, legal papers, and more (see full list below).

Multiple Services:

  • Certification of original document
  • Solicitor certification of copies of original documents
  • Witnessing signatures
  • Administering oaths (commissioner of oath)
  • E-Certification (Electronic Certification): We offer remote e-certification for your convenience. (See details below)

How our document certification process works:

  • 1
    Bring your originals (or send documents for e-certification): Visit our office or our partner office directly with your original documents, or see below for the e-certification process.
  • 2
    Our partner solicitors will review your original documents or verify the authenticity of electronic documents for e-certification.
  • 3
    If needed, we create copies, and the solicitor will certify them as true copies by stamping and signing them. Or, if required, they will certify your original document. For e-certifications, the solicitor will apply their electronic signature.
  • 4
    The process typically takes 5-10 minutes (longer for multiple documents). E-certifications are usually completed within 24-48 hours.

Documents we commonly certify:

  • ID documents, driving licences, passports etc
  • All educational documents

  • Certified copy of a Will
  • Declarations, statements, affidavits

  • Government, court & hospital letters
  • Utility bills and bank statements

  • Business and personal documents

  • Electronic documents
  • Translated documents

  • ….and many, many more

E-certification: Remote service

Important note: E-certifications are not issued in our office. In most cases, e-certifications can be completed remotely; no visit is required.

How it works:

For our solicitor to electronically certify your document (apply the electronic signature), the solicitor must verify that the document is genuine.

  • Verification option 1: Original documents: You can send us the original document by post or courier.
  • Verification option 2: Scanned copies/PDFs: You can send us a scanned copy or PDF, but we need proof that it is an official copy from the issuing body.

Verification process:

  • 1
    Email the issuing body, copying us at hello@apostillelondon.com, requesting verification of the attached document.
  • 2
    Ensure the documents you need certified are attached to the email.
  • 3
    If you already have email correspondence with the issuing body where the documents are attached, please forward it to us.

Once the document’s authenticity is verified, our solicitor can proceed with the e-certification.

Visit us in Westminster, London SW1

Our address:

1st Floor, 3 Orchard Place, Westminster, London, SW1H 0BF

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM.

Important note: A solicitor is typically in the office Monday to Friday, 10 AM – 12 PM and 2 PM – 4 PM, but availability is not guaranteed.

We strongly recommend calling ahead to confirm and schedule your visit. This does not apply to E-certification.

Transparent pricing:

  • Solicitor certification: From £30 per document
  • Solicitor e-certification: From £55 per signature (certify electronic document)
  • Discounts are available for three or more documents.

Why choose us for document certification in London?

  • Speed and efficiency: Get your documents certified quickly, often on the same day (or within 24-48 hours for e-certification).
  • Professional service: Benefit from the expertise of qualified solicitors who can certify documents.
  • Central London location: Easily accessible in Westminster (SW1).
  • Competitive prices: Affordable rates with discounts for multiple documents.
  • One-stop solution: We can help with certifying an original document, witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and e-certification.

Ready to get your documents certified? Visit our office, call us at, or book an appointment online today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Solicitor certification is when a qualified solicitor confirms a document is original or a true copy of the original. They add their signature, stamp, and a statement of authenticity, adding legal weight and credibility. Our partner solicitors provide expert document certification for various needs

We partner with William Sturges LLP, a reputable firm of solicitors in London.

  • Address: Burwood House, 14-16 Caxton St, London SW1H 0QY
  • Phone: 020 7873 1000

Important: If you need a document certified for the apostille process, please ensure you request an FCDO-registered solicitor when making your appointment.

An apostille is a certificate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that verifies a UK document’s authenticity for use abroad. Solicitors cannot issue apostilles.

Our partner solicitors can certify your documents before you send them to the FCDO, which is often a required step. Learn more about apostille services here

The professionals who can certify documents in the UK depend on the intended purpose of the certification.

If you need an apostille, only an FCDO-registered solicitor or notary public registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can certify documents that will later require an apostille for international use. Our partner solicitors are FCDO-registered and able to provide this service.

If you do not need an apostille, several other professionals can certify documents for use within the UK, including:

  • Solicitors
  • Notary Publics
  • Barristers
  • Chartered Legal Executives (with specific practice rights)
  • Other professionals like doctors, dentists, MPs, or persons of standing in the community.

It’s crucial to check the specific requirements of the organisation requesting the certified document to ensure you use the correct type of professional.

For a document to be certified for apostille purposes, it must meet specific criteria. When a solicitor or notary public certifies a document, they must:

  • Hold a valid practising certificate.
  • Sign the document within the UK.
  • Clearly state their action: For example, “witnessing,” “certifying as a true copy,” or “confirming as an original.”
  • Use their signature, not a company signature.
  • Include the certification date.
  • Provide their full name and the address of their practice.
  • Use an original ink signature. Digital or copied signatures are not acceptable.
  • Add their stamp or seal.

These steps ensure the certification is legally sound and accepted by the FCDO for the apostille process. To use our services, bring your original documents to our London SW1 office or follow the instructions on our website for e-certification.

Yes, if you’re in Central London, we offer a fast and reliable certified copy service at our Westminster office on the 1st Floor, 3 Orchard Place, London SW1H 0BF.

Our partner solicitors can provide certified copies of a wide range of documents, often on the same or the next day.

We are conveniently located near major transport links. Bring your original documents to our office, and we’ll take care of the rest.

This article has been written by experts and fact-checked by experts. We only link to high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

[1] Solicitors Regulation Authority
https://www.sra.org.uk/

[2] Hague Apostille Convention
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille

[3] Certifying a document
https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document
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