If the signatures need to be verified:
A copy must be taken if the signatories need to be verified. The signatories must sign the copy before the solicitor, and we would apostille the certified copy.
This is done to ensure that the solicitors do not invalidate the original will inadvertently.
How to process works:
Step one:
Check if the will & testament was witnessed by an FCDO-registered public official (notary, solicitor, etc).
We can help organise getting your Last Will certified for the apostille.
Step two:
Contact our office.
When emailing, please provide the following information:
- In which country will your Last Will be used?
- How soon do you need the apostille?
- Do you also require embassy legalisation?
- How will the Last Will be delivered and returned?
When we have all the information, the team will assess your enquiry and give you a detailed quotation.
If you accept the quotation, we will send an invoice to be paid, and the process of getting an apostille starts.
Step three:
As soon as your Last Will 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 and Royal Mail only. If you want to make other arrangements, please let us know.
How much does it cost?
The price includes admin, solicitor, FCDO, and VAT. Business documents incur an additional processing fee.
There could be additional costs, depending on your chosen service and how many documents you wish to apostille. Additional cost examples are:
- Translations start from £30
- Notarisation by notary public (+ £96)
- Return delivery costs (+ £12)
- Embassy legalisation (from + £75)
Do a will and testament need an apostille?
The last will and testament only need an apostille if overseas authorities have requested for the documents to be government legalised. Some countries that are not part of the Hague treaty may further request that your will and testament be legalised via their Embassy in London.
Does a last will and testament have to be notarised?
The last will and testament must be witnessed when signed to ensure that it is a valid legal and enforceable document. Often a solicitor or notary public is involved in writing the will, so your will would already be ‘notarised’.
However, anyone over 18 and not related to you can witness the will, so if no solicitor or notary has witnessed your testament, or if the probate office has not stamped the will and you need to use the document abroad, you would need to notarise the will. [2]
I have several documents that need to be apostilled – can you help?
We can help with getting all your documents certified and apostilled. The last will and testament can be ‘bundled’ with other documents such as a death certificate, coroners certificate, grant probate and affidavit.
Check with the requesting authorities that bundling documents is allowed. Sometimes documents must be legalised individually.
The same is true if embassy legalisation is required. Not all embassies and consulates allow for documents to be bundled. [3]
Last will and testament apostille service (UK GOV approved)
We offer an all-in-one service to legalise your documents with the UK government apostille.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so please contact our office to discuss your requirements.
Here is an example of what is included in our all-in-one service:
