How long does it take to get an apostille?

Our standard processing time for getting an apostille is 2-3 days. Here is what 2 to 3 days mean: If your documents arrive by 10 am , it will take 2 days If your documents arrive after 10 am , then it will take 3 days (+ next-day return delivery if required) We also offer a same-day apostille service. Documents must arrive before 10 am for the same-day service. Documents can be collected around 3 pm the same day. If a mailing or courier service is utilised, the same day becomes a 24-hour service. Read: 5-hour emergency apostille service .

Apostille for a Guardianship Order [UK Courts]

At a glance:

An FCDO-registered solicitor or notary must certify the Guardianship order before getting an apostille.
We can process both the original and certified copy.

Service options:

10-12 day service (currently unavailable)

3-4-day service from £120

1 day (next business day) from £135

1-day e-Apostille from £97

The price includes admin fees, solicitor certification, apostille certificate, FCDO fees, and VAT.

We can apostille your UK court-issued guardianship order either as the original document or a solicitor-certified copy.

If your guardianship order is stamped and signed by a court officer, you may not need solicitor certification. If you are unsure if it has been officially signed, send us a scanned copy and we check it for you.

Jump to: How much does it cost? | How long does it take?

How to order:

Step one:

Make sure your guardianship order is not damaged in any way and that it can be legalised.

Step two:

Please provide the following information:

What country will the custody order be used in?
How soon do you need the apostille?
How will it be delivered and returned (in person, by mail?)

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, getting an apostille for your documents starts. We will take care of the entire legalisation process for you.

Step three:

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 shipped to you.

How much does it cost?

10-12 day service (currently unavailable)

3-4-day service from £120

1 day (next business day) from £135

1-day e-Apostille from £97

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

Our comprehensive fee covers:

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.

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

Call +44 (0) 207 0500 692

Send your enquiry via email

Our fast-track apostille options

There are three options for getting an apostille in the UK.

Option one: 1 day (next business day)

Documents must arrive before 9:00 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.

Do I have to come to your office?

No, you don’t need to attend our office in Westminster. Documents can be sent by courier or by post. We recommend using a tracked service if you send your documents by post. We return your documents in the same way.

You are of course welcome to drop documents off in person. Delivering in-person requires that you have an order number. Please make sure you contact our office first.

Can a notary public in the UK apostille a guardianship order?

No. Although notaries public in the UK can certify documents, they do not have the power to issue apostille certificates.

Apostille certification is solely the responsibility of the UK government’s Legalisation Office. (See below).

Is there a way to check the authenticity of the apostille?

Yes. The Legalisation Office provides an online verification service, which allows anyone to confirm the authenticity of an apostille certificate issued in the UK.

All you need is the number of the apostille and the date it was issued. This verification service is free and accessible to everyone [3].

Apostille Number

Can a foreign citizen who is a child’s guardian in the UK receive an apostille for a guardianship order?

Foreign citizens who are guardians of children in the UK can obtain an apostille for their guardianship order by following the same process as UK citizens. They must submit the guardianship order or certified copies of all pages to the Legalisation office or us.

The court’s original guardianship order does not require certification or notarisation for apostille certification, but a copy must be certified or notarised before submission to the Legalisation Office.

Can a guardianship order be apostilled in a language other than English?

Only if the original UK-issued guardianship document has been translated from English, and the translated version must be certified by a solicitor or notary public before an apostille can be attached.

In most cases, overseas authorities will only accept the original documents (not digitally translated documents).

What happens if an error is found on the guardianship order after it has been apostilled?

If an error that changes the meaning of the guardianship order is found after it has been apostilled, you may have to return it to the court to correct it.

If the error does not change the meaning of the order, it is usually safe to proceed without returning the order to the court.

If the error must be corrected, you must start again and get a new apostille for the corrected guardianship order.

Can a legal representative apply for apostille on behalf of guardianship order parties?

Yes. A legal representative can be appointed to apply for an apostille on behalf of the parties involved in the guardianship order. This is sometimes necessary because the parties cannot apply for an apostille due to distance or other circumstances.

The legal representative must provide proper documentation proving their authority to act on behalf of the parties involved.

Call +44 (0) 207 0500 692

Enquire or order a UK apostille

References

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.