The fasted way to get an apostille is to engage with us, a registered FCDO apostille agent. We can get an apostille for urgent requests on the same day or in 24 hours.
Our standard processing time is 2-3 days for the entire process.
Of course, you can also do it via the UK government website, the FCDO. You still need to post the original. The process cannot be completed online, and you cannot attend in person.
Their standard processing times are 15-20 days if there are no issues.
Trust our experienced team. We apostille documents with the FCDO every day. We know the process and guarantee we can get your apostille certificate.
We also offer out-of-office hours drop off and collection service, weekdays from 7 am to 9 pm. Weekends by appointment.
How to order:
Step one:
Ensure the document you have is the original civil partnership certificate issued by the General Register Office (GRO) or local Registry Offices. (Photocopies cannot be used!)
Original or official GRO copies of civil partnership certificates do not require solicitor or notary certification.
Step two:
Ensure that your civil partnership is valid (properly registered) or hasn’t been revoked. If the partnership is in the process of being dissolved, an apostille cannot be obtained.
Step three:
Contact our office via phone or mail.
When emailing us, please provide the following information:
- How do you indent to deliver your original certificate
- In which country will your documents be used?
- Does your civil partnership certificate need translation?
- How soon do you need the apostille?
Once you have answered the questions above, our team will assess your request and give you a personalised and detailed quotation.
If attending our office in person, we will email all the details with your order.
If you accept our quotation, we will send an invoice to be paid and commence legalising your document with an apostille certificate.
Final step:
Regardless of what return delivery method is chosen (in person, self-addressed envelope, DHL, etc.), we will inform you immediately as soon as the documents are ready to be collected or they are on their way back to you.
We will also email you a scanned copy of the completed document.
If you are not collecting your apostilled certificate from our London office – we will provide you with the DHL tracking number as soon as your forms have been given to the courier.
Note that we return documents with DHL (only). DHL return deliveries – both national and international require the following details:
- A full name
- Full return address
- Contact phone number
How much does it cost?
A standard FCDO apostille for a UK civil partnership certificate starts from £79.
Other costs will depend on what service you choose. For example, if required, standard or same-day service, embassy attestation fees, and what return delivery method is selected.
Why does a civil partnership certificate need an apostille?
Because some countries request that civil partnerships are certified and legalised to assure authorities of the legitimacy of your document.
Can you get an e-apostille for a civil partnership?
No, in the UK, you cannot apply for an electronic apostille for your civil partnership certificate or other documents issued by the General Register Office.
To learn more about e-apostilles, please read our blog post- e-apostilles – what you should know.
Do I need to translate my civil partnership certificate?
This depends on the requesting authority. Some countries or authorities require a certified translation of your civil partnership certificate.
The authority requesting an apostille will usually tell you if your certificate needs a certified translation. If you need translation, we can take care of that for you.
Does the FCDO issue an apostille for civil partnership not issued in the United Kingdom?
The FCDO does not legalise civil partnership certificates that are not issued in the UK.
Civil partnership certificates not issued in the UK must be legalised in the country that issued the certificate.
However, some requesting authorities accept non-UK partnership certificates when a UK public notary notarises them.
Also note, if the requesting country is not part of the apostille convention, your certificate will also need embassy legalisation.
Not all embassies accept notarised civil partnerships! If you are unsure, don’t hesitate to contact our office.
Are other documents required before my civil partnership certificate can be legalised?
To apostille your civil partnership the FCDO does not require any supporting documents. You only need supporting documents legalised if they are requested by the overseas authority.
How long does it take to get an apostille?
Standard processing times for getting an apostille is 2-3 days.
Here is an explanation of the difference between the 2 to 3 day service times:
- If your documents arrive by 10 am, it will take 2 days to process your documents + next day return delivery.
- If your documents arrive after 10 am, then it would take 3 days to apostille your documents + next day return delivery.
We also offer a same-day apostille service.
- Documents must arrive before 10 am for the same-day service.
- Documents can be collected around 4 pm the same day.
Same-day service assumes you can drop off and collect your documents on the same day.
The same day becomes a 24-hour service if a courier service is used.
Read the full same-day apostille service explanation.
