The Legalisation Office (FCO) - The only competent authority in the UK to issue apostilles and legalisation certificates.
Welcome to the Legalisation Office website. The Legalisation Office of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is the only competent authority to issue apostilles in the UK.
Legalisation is the official confirmation that a signature, seal or stamp on a UK public document is genuine. It does not authenticate the content of the document. Legalisation is usually required by foreign authorities before they will allow a UK document to be used for official purposes in their country.
The UK does not require any documents to be legalised for use within the UK.
Important Notice Relating to Postal Applications
To help us legalise your document(s) quickly it is important that you read the "How to Apply" page (see link below) before you send your document(s) to the Legalisation Office. If your application is incomplete in any way, we will be unable to legalise your document and it will be returned to you with further instructions as to what to do next. Some applications are non-straightforward and may take longer to process.
How to Apply
Milton Keynes Postal Service
- For all applications from members of the public and business customers
Pre-registered Businesses only - For the Centre Point Premium Service and Drop-Off and Collection facility
If you have any questions that have not been answered elsewhere on our website, you will probably find the answer here.
More information on how documents must be presented for legalisation
How to contact us, ask a question not answered on our website, or give feedback on our service.
If you want to learn more about the legalisation process, the Hague Convention, the apostille certifcate, or links to other relevant authorities you can look here.
Ask a question not answered on our website, or enquire about an application already submitted to us
News,
03 Sep 2011
Foreign Secretary William Hague attended an informal meeting of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs - the "Gymnich" on 2-3 September in Sopot, Poland.
News,
02 Sep 2011
Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham: "I call on the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Blue Nile immediately to halt all fighting"
News,
02 Sep 2011
The EU has agreed a ban on imports of Syrian crude oil products as part of measures to place further pressure on the Syrian regime.
News,
02 Sep 2011
A look at the work of the Foreign Office and its embassies overseas this week.
News,
01 Sep 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy co-chaired an international conference in Paris to discuss the future of Libya with the National Transitional Council.
Norfolk House applications update for 1 September 2011
The Legalisation Office is currently processing postal applications received at our Norfolk House office on the 31st of August and 1st September 2011.
Possible delays
Due to technical issues, documents that were received on or after the 31st of August may not be completed within our normal target times, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause
Special Notices
Revised version of the Legalisation Application Form
The Legalisation Application Form has been revised, could all customers please use this updated version as opposed to a saved version of the previous form.
Members of the public please note
We are closed to the public. Please do not visit the Legalisation Office in person. Send all applications by post.
See also
Related documents
