For the solicitors to certify your TEFL certificate, they need to see the original certificate. The same goes for TESOL, CELTA, DELTA, Trinity CertTESOL, TEFL/TESL/TESOL online, and in-class certificates.
Let us know if we should apostille the original or a certified copy.
If you only have a COPY, or a digital download (PDF), our solicitors will require proof that your copy/PDF is genuine. This can be achieved by asking the issuing university to send an email to our solicitors directly.
Originals do not require proof for the solicitor or notary.
We can return the legalised documents via DHL or Royal Mail (next-day service), or you can collect them in person from our London office.
Jump to: How much does it cost? ↓ How long does it take?
The full order process
Step one:
Make sure that your TEFL certificate can be legalised with an apostille. Your certificate should not be damaged or altered in any way.
Step two:
Contact our office.
When emailing, please provide the following information:
- In which country will your certificate be used?
- Should we legalise the original or a certified copy?
- How soon do you need the apostille?
- How will the TEFL certificate be delivered and returned?
When we have all the information, the team will assess your enquiry and give you a quotation.
If you accept the quote, the process of getting an apostille starts.
Step three:
Once your TEFL certificate 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 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 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.
Document receipt and return services
We have several ways documents can be delivered and returned like, email, in-person, post, or private courier.
When is notarisation a must for TEFL certificates?
You must notarise your TEFL certificate when the requesting overseas authority asks you to do so.
Reasons for notarisation requests can be if your certificate must be certified as genuine or if the requesting authority resides in a country that is not part of the Apostille Hague Convention.
Can all types of TEFL certificates get an apostille?
Yes, all TEFL certificates awarded by an accredited provider, and if the course meets the standards set by the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), can be apostilled.
This applies to all types of TEFL certificates, including TESOL, CELTA, DELTA, Trinity CertTESOL, TEFL/TESL/TESOL online, TEFL/TESL/TESOL combined, and TEFL/TESL/TESOL in-class certificates [1].
All certificates must be solicitor certified before being submitted to the FCDO for an apostille.
Can online-only TEFL certificates be apostilled?
Yes, it is possible to get an apostille for some online-only TEFL certificates. The FCDO now accepts online-only TEFL certificates that have been issued by providers that are regulated by the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
As a result of the Covid pandemic lockdowns much teaching and learning has moved online in recent years. For these reasons the FCDO now accepts some online TEFL certificates that have been issued by RQF regulated providers.
What other documents are often requested when legalising a TEFL certificate?
Qualifications and documents sometimes requested with a TEFL certificate are a university degree and a criminal record check.
Foreign employers sometimes need these to prove a candidate’s abilities and good character.
Can I get an apostille for my TEFL certificate online?
You can only get an e-apostille for a TEFL certificate if it has been issued digitally. Documents submitted to the legalisation office must be uploaded as PDF files and electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor.
In practice, it is rare to get an apostille for a TEFL certificate entirely online.
You cannot get an e-Apostille if your TEFL certificate needs to be accompanied by any of the following:
Do you need to need translation for your TEFL certificate?
We can take care of the translation for you if you need to translate your TEFL or TESOL certificate.
The processing options for translating documents are as follows:
