To get an apostille for your Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) card, we need to receive the original post office pass card in our office. You can deliver it in person or post it to our office in Westminster, London.
We can return the apostilled post office PASS card via DHL or Royal Mail (next-day service), or you can collect it in person.
Please note that CitizenCard-issued Post Office PASS cards do not qualify for an e-Apostille.
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The full order process:
Step one:
Make sure your post office PASS card can be legalised with an apostille. The official PASS card must be valid and undamaged so a clear photocopy can be taken (front and back).
Step two:
Contact our office.
When emailing, please provide the following information:
- Your post office PASS card will be used in what country?
- How soon do you need the apostille?
- Do you also require embassy legalisation?
- How will the PASS card be delivered and returned?
When we have all the information, the team will assess your enquiry and give you a personalised and detailed quotation.
If you accept the quote, we will send an invoice to be paid, and the process of getting the apostille starts.
Step three:
Once your post office PASS card has been apostilled, we will send you a scanned copy via email.
If you are not collecting your apostilled document from our London office – we will provide you with the DHL tracking number given by the courier.
Note that we return documents by DHL or Royal Mail only. If you want to make other arrangements, please let us know.
The price includes admin, solicitor, FCDO, and VAT. Business documents incur an additional processing fee.
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)
How long does it take to get an apostille?
There are three options for getting an apostille.
Option one: 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 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: e-Apostille 1 to 2 days
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?
You must only attend in person if your post office PASS card must be notarised by a notary public. However, if you prefer to attend in person, you are welcome to do so.
If you are not based in London or can’t travel to London, documents can be sent by courier or by post. We recommend using a tracked service if you send your PASS card by post. We return your documents in the same way.
Why do I need an apostille for my PASS card?
You need to get an apostille for your PASS card when a foreign government, organisation or individual requests it.
The apostille authenticates your PASS card and renders it acceptable as proof of age in all countries that are party to the Hague Convention 1961 (see below).
Who can ask for an apostille of my PASS card?
Any private citizen, organisation, business or government agency in a foreign country can request an apostille of your PASS card.
An apostille of your PASS card may be requested to confirm your age and identity when it would be cumbersome or inappropriate to use your passport.
Can I use my original post office PASS card to get an apostille?
The original post office PASS card cannot be used for an apostille.
A PASS card which has been damaged, altered or modified in any way is no longer valid. The apostille certificate is attached directly to a document.
Affixing an apostille directly to a PASS card would alter the card and invalidate it.
The FCDO, therefore, needs a certified copy of the PASS card for the apostille [1].
Who can certify the copy of my PASS card?
Only a solicitor or notary public can certify the copy of your PASS card in the UK.
Countries that are party to the Hague Convention 1961 regard certification by a solicitor as sufficient.
Countries not part of the Hague convention may require notarisation of the copy by a notary public.
Solicitor certification confirms only that the PASS card and its copy have been seen.
Notarisation by a notary public verifies that the PASS card is genuine and that the copy is a true copy. The notary must check the card against the records of the issuing authority [2].
Does the apostille for my PASS card expire?
The apostille for your PASS card remains valid for as long as the PASS card remains valid.
PASS cards issued before 7th January 2021 do not expire. Cards issued after 7th January 2021 expire after three years [3].
Does my PASS card have to be translated?
A translation of your PASS card is only needed when it is requested.
A translation must also be certified as accurate [4].
We offer translation for all official ID cards. Translation takes 2-3 days and usually costs £75 per ID card, but we offer a discount for all UK PASS cards and only charge £50 per ID.
The following agencies are authorised to issue cards on behalf of the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) and can be used to get an apostille certificate.
