Legalising a UK document for use abroad

The service is narrower than most people assume. Per gov.uk, the office will check the document and see if any signatures, stamps or seals match their own records, and if they do, they’ll legalise the document by attaching an ‘apostille’. It verifies the official who signed, not the truth of the contents — a legalised document is not a vouched-for document. And the origin rule is absolute: you cannot get documents issued outside the UK legalised using this service — get them legalised in the country they were issued.

Source: gov.uk — Get your document legalised, read 14 September 2026.

Per the same guidance, documents can be legalised if they were issued by a court, or certified by a UK public official such as a notary or solicitor. Its examples cover the paperwork movers actually carry: documents such as a power of attorney, a contract or a qualification certificate, and copies of documents such as a passport or a driving licence. gov.uk is explicit that this is not an exhaustive list and tells you to contact the person asking for the legalised document — the receiving authority sets the real requirement, including whether it wants a copy certified by a particular kind of official.

Source: gov.uk — Check your documents can be legalised, read 14 September 2026.

gov.uk describes two types. The paper-based apostille means sending documents by post, or submitting them in person if you are a registered business. The electronic route — the e-Apostille — requires uploading documents as PDF files that have been electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor, and gov.uk points to official lists of notaries and solicitors for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Living abroad, the e-Apostille is usually the difference between a week and a month, so ask the receiving authority whether it accepts one before choosing. What legalisation never covers is language: that is a sworn translation job.

Source: gov.uk — Apply for legalisation, read 14 September 2026.