All UK board resolutions must be certified by a solicitor (or notarised by a notary public for some countries) before an apostille certificate can be requested from the FCDO.
How to order:
If you have any questions, please call 0207 0500 692
Step one:
Check your board resolution to make sure that all signatories have dated and signed the document(s) and that no pages are missing.
We can apostille both the original and a photocopy of your board resolution.
However, most customers prefer a scanned copy, so they don’t have to physically post the document to our central London office.
Step two:
An FCDO-registered notary or solicitor certifies the board resolutions.
There are two options:
- Certify the board resolution as a true copy (no need to send the original to our office, a scanned copy is sufficient) This is the most popular option for our clients.
- Verify the signatory’s signature. If we need to verify the director’s signature, we have to arrange a video call with the notary and request AoA (Articles of Association) to confirm if a single authorisation will suffice to issue a board resolution.
If you are not using our in-house, discounted solicitor certifications, ensure that the documents are certified by a solicitor registered in the UK.
Plus, ensure their signatures are registered with the FCDO. Otherwise, your documents will be rejected.
Step three:
When you have your document ready, contact our office. When emailing, please provide the following information:
- How many pages need an apostille? (We offer a discount for multiple pages)
- In which country will the board resolution be used?
- Does the board resolution need to be translated?
- How soon do you need the apostille?
When we have all the information, the team will assess your enquiry and give you are personalised, detailed quotation.
If you accept the quotation, we send an invoice to be paid, and the process of getting the apostille starts.
Step four:
As soon as your documents have been apostilled, we will send you a scanned copy via email to inform you that the legalisation process has been completed successfully and your apostilled documents(s) are on their way or ready to be collected.
If you are not collecting your apostilled certificate from our London office – we will provide you with the tracking number given by the courier.
Note that we return documents with DHL or Royal Mail.
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)
How long does it take to get an apostille?
There are 4 options for getting an apostille.
Option one: 10-12 days:
Your documents are “posted” to the FCDO in Milton Keynes and then posted back to our office – or your address. This process usually takes about 10 business days. (currently unavailable)
Option two: 3 to 4 days:
- If documents arrive by 10:30 am, it will take 3 days
- If documents arrive after 10:30 am, then it will take 4 days
- Documents are submitted and collected in person
Option three: 1 day (next business day)
- Documents must arrive before 10:00 am for the next-day service.
- Documents can be collected around 3:30 pm the next day.
- Documents are submitted and collected in person
Option four: e-Apostille 1 to 2 days
Electronic apostilles are usually completed within 24 hours but can take two working days, depending on the FCDO’s workload.
Board resolution apostille – why is it required?
The board resolution apostille is required when the company wishes to conduct business in a country other than the UK. The overseas authority would have requested that documents are legalised.
Legalisation with an apostille provides a confirmation that the document is genuine and that all the signatures for the Board of Directors have been confirmed.
Do board resolutions need to be signed by all the directors?
Yes. The board president and all directors must sign the board resolution. In addition, the board secretary should keep all board resolutions and the company bylaws and other key papers.
Who is involved in a director’s resolution?
The board of directors are highly involved in a company’s critical decision making, and all commercial documents about the company’s decisions must be signed by them.
However, there are a few other key company members who are usually involved with the director’s resolutions.
They include:
What is a certified corporate resolution?
A certified original board resolution is a document verified by the company secretary and endorsed by the president of the company.
Both the president and secretary must sign this document to confirm its truth, approval by the board and accuracy.
Some banks will require a certified resolution that authorises an individual’s access to the company’s bank accounts or the company’s safe deposit box.
A certified original board resolution and a board resolution apostille will be required for external affairs outside the UK or when operating an overseas account.
