Service summary:
  • We can apostille both the original and a certified copy
  • You can email us a copy or drop it off at our office
  • We do the rest. Get your apostille and return your documents.
  • The process takes 2-3 days and starts from £110.

To get an apostille for a bank statement, first, the bank statement must be certified by a UK solicitor or notary public.

Then the certified bank statement can be apostilled by contacting the UK legalisation office or the FCDO, who will authenticate the signatures, stamps, and seals on the bank statement and attach the apostille certificate.

We can get your UK bank statement(s) certified and apostilled in two or three days.

What it is:  

A bank statement is a summary of financial transactions over a given period for a bank account by an individual or a business [1].

Frequently used for:

Examples of using a bank statement outside the UK:

  • To prove your income
  • To access financing
  • To open a bank account in a foreign country
  • To open a new business
  • To apply for a business license
  • To verify your source of funds

Original or copy:

Both the original or a photocopy of the bank statement can be used to get an apostille. Both the original or the copy must first be certified by a solicitor or notary public.

Replacement documents:

You can request a replacement from the bank or download a statement from your mobile app or online banking account.

How much does it cost?

A standard FCDO apostille for bank statements starts from £110. (includes solicitor certification, FCDO fees, our fees, and VAT.

Other costs will depend on what service you choose (premium service, same-day service, etc. ), how many bank statements need to be apostilled, if you need a notary service, embassy fees, and what return delivery method you will need.

What are the requirements for a bank statement to get an apostille?

A bank statement should meet the following requirements to be eligible for an apostille:

  • The bank statement must be dated within the last 90 days
  • The bank statement must show the logo and name of the bank

  • Confirm the account holder’s name, address, and bank account number.

  • Bank statements in the UK should be on the official bank stationery

Why do you need an apostille for a bank statement?

You would need an apostille for a bank statement if an overseas authority requested that your bank statement is legalised.

The overseas authority will typically request a legalised bank statement to prove your source of income and availability of funds.

Apostille Bank Statements and Logos
Screenshots of bank statements / Bank logos subject to copyright

Can a UK bank notarise a document?

UK bank officials cannot notarise bank statements unless they use a registered UK notary public. Although banks have notaries on staff who can notarise bank statements, banks in the UK usually do not offer notarisation or certification of bank statements for legalisation [2].

Can a notary refuse to authenticate the bank statement?

Yes, a notary can refuse to authenticate a bank statement under the following conditions [3]:

  • If they suspect the document to be fraudulent
  • If the document is incomplete
  • If the signer appears mentally incapable of understanding the document
  • If the signer appears coerced
  • If the notary has reason to believe the document will be used for illegal purposes
  • If the request is for a notarisation, the notary does not recognise
  • If the signer is not physically present
  • If the signer cannot be identified
  • If the signer does not speak the same language as the notary
  • If the signer is unwilling to swear or affirm the contents of the document for notarisations that require an oath

What is a bank verification letter, and can it be apostilled?

A bank verification letter is the same as a bank certification letter. It is a letter from a bank confirming that an individual has an account at that bank with the total value of the funds in the account. If the verification letter is certified, it too can get an apostille certificate attached.

Can you attest bank documents at London embassies?

London embassies can attest bank statements. When the embassy wishes to verify a statement of account, they will use an anonymous banker who handles embassy communication with the bank.

They will scan the submitted statement of account and attach it to an email that reads, “Kindly confirm the transactions on the attached statement of account for XYZ.”

When would you need an apostille for a bank statement?

There are several instances when you would need to have your bank statement apostilled, which include:

  • When applying for a loan in a foreign country

  • When applying for an insurance policy in a foreign country
  • To ensure your company is solvent
  • When obtaining a visa

Can you legalise a photocopy of a bank statement?

Yes. Photocopies of bank statements can be legalised as long as they are certified as ‘true copy’ by a solicitor or notary public.

The solicitor or notary public must:

  • State what they are certifying (true copy, original document, witness signature etc.)
  • Use their own personal signature, not the company name
  • Date the certification
  • State their company address

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.

[1] Anatomy of a bank statement: what’s in it?
https://www.santander.com/en/stories/anatomy-of-a-bank-statement-whats-in-it

[2] Documents and certification
https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/security-centre/hsbc-safeguard/faqs/documents-and-certification/

[3] Can a notary refuse to authenticate
https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/07/when–no-and-when-refusing-not-allowed

[4] What is a bank verification letter
https://www.pwc.com/m1/en/assets/pdf/bank-verification-letter.pdf