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 solicitor services & transparent pricing

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.

We solve the hassles of solicitor document certification

Getting a UK solicitor document certification sounds simple—until you try to arrange it yourself. Clients tell us they run into the same obstacles:

  • Unsure who is “authorised”: A document stamped by the wrong professional can be rejected by the  Foreign, Commonwealth  &  Development Office (FCDO), banks, or foreign authorities, costing days or weeks in delays.

  • Hidden fees: Not every firm is upfront about solicitor costs to certify documents, which can lead to unexpected fees when you collect your paperwork.

  • Timing pressures: Practising solicitors often keep traditional 9‑to‑5 hours; squeezing in an urgent visit between work or travel plans is stressful.

  • Missing certification statements: Specific wording requirements like “I certify this to be a true copy of the original” must be exact

  • Unclear dating and signatures: Unclear digital signatures, company stamps, or dates immediately disqualify documents

  • Regulatory fine print: The FCDO will only accept a certification if the solicitor holds a current practising certificate and follows a strict wording and signing format.

Our specialist document certification service solicitor team removes those pain points. We guarantee:

  • Next-day slots (including early‑morning/early‑evening)
  • Certification drafted in the exact form the FCDO and overseas authorities expect
  • Fully remote e‑certification (where eligible)
  • Secure document handling with DHL tracking
  • Transparent, fixed pricing before you book

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.

Solicitors to certify your documents for any purpose

Whether you need to get documents certified for personal, business, or cross‑border paperwork, we have a solution:

Scenario Why certification matters Typical beneficiaries
Visa & immigration packs UK‑issued bank statements, police records, and employment letters must carry a solicitor-certified copy stamp to be accepted by overseas consulates. Students, skilled‑worker visa applicants, and family‑reunion cases
Property & finance Lenders often insist that powers of attorney or ID copies are certified by a solicitor before a mortgage drawdown or share transfer. Home‑buyers, landlords, corporate treasurers
Professional licensing Engineers, doctors, and teachers migrating abroad must submit solicitor‑certified qualification bundles. HCPC, GMC, RICS, ACCA members
Regulatory due‑diligence KYC/AML checks for fintech, crypto, or real‑estate transactions demand properly witnessed ID copies. Regulated businesses, compliance teams
Litigation & arbitration Evidence bundles filed in foreign courts need solicitor certification plus an apostille. Law firms, in‑house counsel

Because each authority has its own rules, our lawyers verify the destination requirements first, then draft the correct certification wording. No re‑work, no rejections.

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 service for your convenience.

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 documents 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.

From certification to apostille — handled for you!

Our integrated workflow removes the complexity of managing multiple service providers.

Rather than coordinating separately with solicitors, courier services, and the FCDO, we handle the complete process from initial certification through final apostille delivery.

  • 1

    Step 1: Document verification and preparation

    This begins with our solicitor reviewing your original documents to ensure they qualify for certification. We check for issues like damage, unclear signatures, or missing elements that could cause FCDO rejection later in the process.

  • 2

    Step 2: Professional certification

    This involves our FCDO-registered solicitors applying proper certification statements, signatures, and stamps. It differs significantly from basic solicitor certification. International use requires specific formatting and verification procedures that require specialised knowledge.

  • 3

    Step 3: Fast-track FCDO processing

    We utilise our business account relationships to bypass extended processing times. Our recognised solicitor partner (William Sturges LLP) and pre-verified submission processes typically deliver apostilles within 1-2 working days.

  • 4

    Step 4: Quality control and dispatch

    This includes final verification before return delivery. We check the apostille attachment, verify FCDO embossment, stamp, and signature are present, and ensure documents remain undamaged throughout processing. You can collect in Westminster or choose tracked DHL worldwide shipping.

    Embassy attestation coordination extends our service for non-Hague Convention countries. We manage the additional authentication steps required for countries like the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Kuwait.

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.

Visit us in Westminster, London SW1

Our address:

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

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday: 8 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.

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

What customers say about our service:

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Both professionals can certify UK documents, but they serve different markets:

Solicitor Certification

  • Regulator: Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
  • Typical wording: “I certify this is a true copy/original…”
  • International recognition: Accepted by the FCDO for an apostille (when solicitor is FCDO-registered)
  • Cost & speed: Lower fee, faster appointments

Notary Certification

  • Regulator: Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Typical wording: >Adds notarial act & unique protocol number
  • International recognition: Provides enhanced authentication but still requires an apostille for international use in most cases
  • Cost & speed: Higher fee, longer appointments

For many mainstream purposes (visa packs, academic transcripts, KYC), a solicitor’s stamp plus an apostille is sufficient and more cost‑effective.

Notary certification provides additional authentication security and may be required by some overseas authorities, but typically still needs an apostille for international recognition.

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.

No. The FCDO rejects certifications signed by any lawyer whose practising certificate has lapsed, even if they remain on the Roll of Solicitors.

Legal restrictions under Section 21 of the Solicitors Act 1974 make it a criminal offence for non-practising solicitors to:

  • Certify documents for international use
  • Provide legal services to third parties
  • Use solicitor titles without current practising certificates
  • Accept fees for legal services

To be valid, the lawyer must:

  • Hold a current practising certificate
  • Sign within the UK
  • State the action taken (“certified as a true copy”, “witnessed signature”, etc.)
  • Add the practice address, date, and original ink signature

Tip: Always verify solicitor credentials through the SRA online directory before engaging with certification services

Our panel solicitors are active, insured, and listed on the SRA register.

Yes, but international document certification requires specific procedures depending on the destination country’s legal system and treaty obligations.

Hague Convention countries (90 States and the European Union) accept UK solicitor certification, followed by FCDO apostille. This simplified process covers most European Union countries, Australia, Canada, and many others.

Non-Hague Convention countries require additional embassy attestation after an apostille. Countries like the UAE, China, Kuwait, and others mandate verification through their UK embassy or consulate. It may add extra working days and additional costs.

Country-specific requirements vary:

  • United States: Generally accepts apostilled documents, but some states require notarial certification
  • Canada: Accepts solicitor certification with an apostille for most purposes
  • Australia: Recognises apostilled documents for immigration and business use
  • Middle East: Often requires both an apostille and embassy attestation with specific formatting

Professional guidance prevents costly mistakes. We maintain current knowledge of international requirements and coordinate with relevant embassies when additional attestation is needed.

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.

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