What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official certificate that confirms the authenticity of a document issued in one country so it can be legally recognised in another.
It verifies the signature, seal, or stamp on a public document — proving that the person who signed it, or the authority that issued it, is genuine and officially authorised to do so.
The apostille itself is a separate certificate, either attached to the original document or issued as a single-page attachment, usually by a government authority.
In the United Kingdom, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
How It Works
STEP 1 – Select Your Service
Apply online for your Paper-Based Apostille or e-Apostille in just a few clicks with 12 Apostilles — trusted UK experts in document legalisation.
What You’ll Need
- The documents you wish to legalise
- A credit or debit card for secure online payment
If you’re requesting a Paper-Based Apostille by post, please also have:
- Your return address for sending back the legalised documents
- Access to a printer to print your order confirmation — or simply write your order number clearly on the envelope
How to Apply
- Select the documents you need to have legalised
- Add them to your cart
- Enter your delivery address
- Complete a secure online payment
- Receive a confirmation email with your unique order number (e.g. 12A-1234)
Choose 12 Apostilles for fast, secure, and reliable apostille services.
Start your application today and make your documents valid for use worldwide.
STEP 2 - Post Your Documents for Legalisation
How to Send Your Documents
Once you’ve placed your order with 12 Apostilles, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing:
- Your unique order number (e.g. 12A-1234)
- Our full postal address for sending your documents
Choose Your Delivery Method
You can send your documents to us using one of the following options:
- Post from within the UK — using Royal Mail or any trusted courier
- Drop off in person — by appointment at our UK office
- Send from overseas — via international courier such as DHL or FedEx
Prepare Your Envelope
Please include one of the following inside your envelope:
- A printout of your order confirmation email, or
- A note clearly showing your order number (e.g. 12A-1234)
This helps us identify your documents and process your order without delay.
Postal Address for Sending Your Documents
Order Number: 12A-1234 (replace with your own order number)
100 Avebury Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 1FH
United Kingdom
STEP 3 – What Happens Next?
Document Legalisation with 12 Apostilles
Once we receive your documents, we handle the entire apostille process quickly, securely, and with complete care — ensuring your paperwork is ready for international use without delays.
Here’s what happens next:
- Automatic Confirmation – You’ll receive an email as soon as your documents arrive safely at our office.
- Expert Review – Our specialists carefully check each document to make sure it meets all FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) requirements, helping to prevent any processing delays.
- FCDO Submission – We then submit your documents to the UK FCDO for official apostille certification, using our priority service for the fastest possible turnaround.
With 12 Apostilles, your documents are handled by experienced professionals — precisely, securely, and with full compliance — so they’re ready for use worldwide in no time.
Documents We Can Apostille
Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates
These are official vital records issued by the UK General Register Office or local register offices.
An apostille confirms that the signature or stamp on these certificates is genuine, making them valid for use abroad.
They are commonly required for visa applications, citizenship, marriage abroad, inheritance claims, and other civil processes.
Examples:
- Full birth certificate
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Death certificate for estate or insurance matters
Educational Diplomas and Transcripts
Academic documents often need to be apostilled when applying for work, study, or visa purposes overseas.
Before apostille certification, they usually must be signed or stamped by the issuing institution or notarised by a solicitor.
Examples:
- University or college diplomas
- Degree certificates
- Academic transcripts or mark sheets
- Letters of enrolment or attendance
Power of Attorney Documents
A Power of Attorney (PoA) grants legal authority for someone to act on your behalf — for example, in property, financial, or business matters abroad.
These documents must first be notarised by a UK solicitor or notary public before they can be apostilled.
Once the apostille is attached, the PoA becomes legally valid in other countries that recognise the Hague Apostille Convention.
Examples:
- Power of attorney for property sale abroad
- Representation for business transactions
- Legal authority for family or inheritance matters
Business and Company Certificates
Company documents are often required when setting up overseas branches, opening foreign bank accounts, or signing contracts internationally.
An apostille certifies the authenticity of UK company records issued by Companies House or other official bodies.
Examples:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Company registration extracts or shareholder lists
Criminal Record Checks (ACRO / DBS)
Apostilled criminal record checks are often required for immigration, employment, or visa purposes abroad.
These are issued by official authorities such as ACRO Criminal Records Office or Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
The apostille verifies that the certificate was issued by a legitimate UK authority.
Examples:
- ACRO Police Certificate
- DBS Basic, Standard, or Enhanced Check
Medical and Legal Documents
Certain personal or legal documents may also require apostille certification for use in foreign jurisdictions.
These must usually be signed by a registered medical practitioner or solicitor before submission.
Examples:
- Medical letters or test results (for treatment abroad or insurance)
- Solicitor-signed affidavits or declarations
- Court documents or witness statements
- Consent forms or adoption papers
FAQ — Apostille Services
Everything you need to know about apostille certificates, processing times, and document requirements.
How long does it take to get an apostille?
Processing times vary depending on document type and service speed:
- Express (paper-based) - usually up to 1-2 working days, plus courier or postage time
- e-Apostille - up to 2 working days
- Restricted Urgent Same day service (paper-based) - same day - all orders for this service must be pre-approved by emailing support@12apostilles.co.uk
We’ll confirm exact turnaround times when you place your order.
Do I need to send original documents?
For paper-based apostilles, yes — original or certified copies are usually required.
For e-apostilles, a digitally signed document (PDF) may be accepted.
We’ll provide clear submission instructions once your order is placed.
Is an apostille valid worldwide?
Apostilles are accepted in all countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention (over 120 countries, including most of Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia).
If your destination country is not part of this convention, you may need consular legalisation — our team can guide you through that process too.
How will I receive my documents back?
Once legalised, your apostilled documents are securely returned by tracked courier, registered post, or digital delivery, depending on the service you selected.
We’ll send you tracking details once your documents are dispatched.
Get in touch with 12 Apostilles
Have a question about apostilles, embassy attestation, or document legalisation? Our expert team is ready to assist with clear, fast, and professional support.
We make the process simple and reliable — whether you’re an individual, business, or legal professional. From quick document checks to full guidance on UK FCDO and embassy requirements, we’re here to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Reach out today and let 12 Apostilles handle your document legalisation with speed, care, and precision.
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