Apostille for statutory declarations.

DIY: To get an apostille for a statutory declaration, submit the original FCDO-registered solicitor or notary-certified declaration to the FCDO.

You can use a certified copy, but it is recommended that you use the original declaration for the apostille. The process can take 20 days or longer.

If you need a faster service, use an FCDO-registered apostille agent (like us) to handle the entire process.

How to order:  

Step one:

Check that the statutory declaration is signed by a UK FCDO-registered solicitor or notary whose signature is registered with the FCDO. Alternatively, instruct our notary to witness your declaration.

Step two:

Contact us to place an order.

 When emailing, please provide the following information:

• In which country will your statutory declaration be used?
• Does the declaration need to be translated?
• Do you require embassy legalisation?
• How soon do you need the apostille?

Once we have all the information, the team will assess your enquiry and give you a personalised and detailed quotation.

If you accept the quotation, we will send an invoice to be paid, and the process of getting an apostille for your documents starts. We will take care of everything.

Final step:

As soon as your statutory declaration has been apostilled, we will send you a scanned copy via email.

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 on their way back to you.

Assuming that you are not collecting your apostilled documents from our London office – we will also provide you with the tracking number as soon as your forms have been given to the courier.

Note that we return documents with DHL or Royal Mail (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?

• 1-day e-Apostille from £97 

• 3-4 day apostille service from £120
• 1 day (next business day) from £135
• 5-48 hours e-Apostille from £97

Our comprehensive fee cover:

• Solicitor certification
• FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) Fees
• Administration
• VAT

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)

We will always provide a full breakdown to see precisely what you’re paying for.

There are three options for getting an apostille.

Option one: 1 day (next business day)

• Documents must arrive before 9:30 am for the next-day service.
• Documents can be collected around 3:30 pm the next day.

Option two: 3 to 4 days:

• If documents arrive after 9:30 am, it will take 3-4 days

Option three: e-Apostille 5 to 48 hours

If the document qualifies for an e-apostille, it is usually completed within 24 hours but can take two working days, depending on the FCDO’s workload.

If the statutory declaration needs a certified translation, it will depend on the requesting authority. They will usually let you know if you need to translate the document. If you need a translation service, we can help you.

There are over 36 different types of statutory declarations, and all can be legalised with an apostille in the UK. All types must be be witnessed and signed by a UK solicitor or notary before legalisation.

An apostille and legalisation for the statutory declaration can be requested by any overseas authority. Often reqestes state that you need a Hague apostille or FCDO apostille, which are the same legalisation processes.

No. A statutory declaration is not the same as an affidavit and should not be confused as such. However, it’s easy to see why they would be similar.

An affidavit is a written and sworn document containing facts, while a statutory declaration is not sworn under oath, although it is still a formal and legally binding document. The declarations are made by the Act of 1835. (1)

Before a statutory declaration is formed, the person is informed of their responsibilities. If they happen to make a false declaration, legal proceedings will be taken against them.

The statements must be made under a notary public or UK solicitor, and an apostille stamp confirms the document.

A statutory declaration is commonly used to prove a person’s single status.

If one person wants to marry outside the UK, an overseas authority will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that the person is single and free to marry before a marriage permit is given.

This is part of the apostille service.

A Certificate of No Impediment can also be used to prove a single status.