If you need a UK Apostille and want to know exactly how long it takes, the answer depends on which route fits your document and destination. We offer two productised routes – the FCDO Paper Apostille for documents that need a physical certificate, and the FCDO e-Apostille for eligible document types delivered as a secure PDF. If your document needs to be notarized before it can be apostilled, our UK Notarization service is the first step. Below is the realistic 2026 timeline for each, what determines eligibility, and how the three services fit together.
Turnaround in Practice
Our published turnarounds for UK-route services are:
- UK Notarization – 2 to 3 days. By an appointed UK Notary Public, fully online. You upload your document, complete identity verification step by step, and meet your appointed Notary in a short digital meeting. Your notarized document is delivered digitally the next day, or by tracked post in 2 to 3 working days if you need a physical copy. €109.
- FCDO e-Apostille – 2 to 3 working days. Delivered as a secure PDF. For eligible document types only – not every country or institution accepts e-Apostilles, so confirm with your destination before ordering. €199 including all FCDO fees.
- FCDO Paper Apostille – 2 to 3 weeks. Delivered by tracked post. Universal route for documents and destinations that need a physical paper certificate. €229 including all FCDO fees.
- Embassy legalization for non-Hague destinations – 2 to 4 weeks plus consular processing.
We confirm the exact timeline and route for your document before you order.
The Two UK Apostille Routes in 2026
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) operates two routes for UK Apostilles: a paper Apostille and an electronic Apostille. We deliver both as productised services with all FCDO fees included.
FCDO e-Apostille – the fast digital route
In 2026 the FCDO actively issues electronic Apostilles for an expanding list of document types. This is the route to use when speed matters and your document type is eligible.
Our FCDO e-Apostille service delivers in 2 to 3 working days as a secure PDF. €199 including FCDO fees.
Eligible document types (2026):
- Academic documents – university degrees, transcripts, PGCE certificates
- Business documents – Certificates of Incorporation, Articles of Association, HMRC letters
- Legal documents – Powers of Attorney, affidavits, contracts (digitally signed by a UK solicitor or Notary Public)
- Personal documents – change of name deeds, certified copies of passports or driving licences
- GRO certificates – original birth, marriage, death, or adoption certificates
- Police certificates – ACRO or DBS
The catch: not every country or institution accepts e-Apostilles. Italy, the Netherlands, Panama, the Philippines, and an expanding list of Hague Convention countries currently do. For destinations that still require paper, use the Paper Apostille route. If you’re unsure, contact us before ordering and we’ll confirm whether your destination accepts the e-Apostille.
Also important: e-Apostilles are exclusively electronic. Printing the document invalidates the verification chain – the destination authority must be willing to accept electronic submission.
FCDO Paper Apostille – the universal route
For documents that need a physical paper certificate, or destinations that don’t accept e-Apostilles, our FCDO Paper Apostille service is the universal route.
We handle notarization where required, submit to the FCDO, and return the apostilled document by tracked post. Delivered in 2 to 3 weeks from order placed. €229 including all FCDO fees and no FCDO paperwork on your side.
The 2 to 3 week window includes the FCDO’s processing queue plus tracked posting in both directions. We use the FCDO’s standard service – this is the route to choose when you have time and want the universal acceptance of a paper certificate.
When You Need UK Notarization First
The Apostille certifies the signature and seal of the issuing UK authority. Where the document came from determines whether you need a Notary Public step first.
Apostille directly – no prior notarization needed:
- Birth, marriage, death certificates from the General Register Office (UK)
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts signed by a UK university registrar
- DBS or ACRO police certificates
- Documents from HMRC, Companies House, or the Home Office
- Court documents stamped by a UK court
UK Notarization required first:
- Private contracts and agreements
- Powers of Attorney
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Photocopies of any official document (certified copy by a Notary, then Apostille)
- Translations of foreign documents
- Identification documents (certified copy of passport, etc.)
If your document is on the “notarization required” list, our UK Notarization service is the first step. You upload your document and identity documents, complete step-by-step verification online, then meet your appointed UK Notary Public in a short digital meeting where you sign and confirm under affirmation. The notarized document is delivered digitally the next day, or by tracked post in 2 to 3 working days. €109. The notarized output is then ready for either the e-Apostille or Paper Apostille route.
How to Choose the Right Route
A practical decision flow:
- Is your document type eligible for e-Apostille, and does your destination accept electronic Apostilles? Use the FCDO e-Apostille – 2 to 3 working days at €199.
- Do you need a physical paper certificate, or your destination doesn’t accept e-Apostilles? Use the FCDO Paper Apostille – 2 to 3 weeks at €229.
- Is your document a private document that needs notarization first? Add UK Notarization at €109 before either Apostille route.
- Is your destination non-Hague (UAE, Saudi Arabia, mainland China, Vietnam, etc.)? The Apostille is step one of a longer Embassy legalization chain. See international notarization.
When in doubt, tell us the document type, destination country, and the receiving authority – we will route the order through the fastest eligible path.
What Adds Time and What Saves Time
What adds time:
- Document needs prior notarization – add 2 to 3 days for our UK Notarization service before the Apostille step.
- Sworn or certified translation – adds 1 to 3 days for certified, 3 to 10 days for sworn. See our guide on sworn vs certified translation for which one your destination needs.
- Document not in good condition – torn, damaged, or annotated documents can be rejected by the FCDO. Order a fresh copy first.
- Wrong signatory – the signature being apostilled must be from a recognised UK authority. If a document was signed by someone not on the FCDO’s register, prior notarization is required.
- Peak periods – summer and year-end add days to the Paper Apostille route. The e-Apostille route is less affected.
What saves time:
- Choose the e-Apostille route where eligible – 2 to 3 working days is meaningfully faster than 2 to 3 weeks for paper.
- Document is already an official UK document – no prior notarization needed.
- Submit early in the day – orders received before our daily cut-off enter the FCDO queue sooner.
- Bundle services in one order – ordering notarization and Apostille together avoids hand-offs.
Our Process for UK Apostille
We handle the full UK Apostille process online:
- You submit your document and destination details through our secure portal.
- We confirm the right route – e-Apostille if eligible, Paper Apostille if not, with UK Notarization first if your document type requires it.
- UK Notarization (if needed) – you complete online identity verification and meet your appointed UK Notary Public in a short digital meeting.
- FCDO Apostille – we submit the notarized or official document to the FCDO and collect the apostilled output.
- Delivery – secure PDF for e-Apostille, tracked post for Paper Apostille. UK or international.
You can order a UK Notarization, FCDO e-Apostille, or FCDO Paper Apostille directly. For an overview of the global Apostille system, see our Apostille services hub. Browse all our services for the full catalogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a UK Apostille take in 2026?
It depends on the route. The FCDO e-Apostille is 2 to 3 working days for eligible document types and accepting destinations. The FCDO Paper Apostille is 2 to 3 weeks from order placed and works universally. If your document needs UK Notarization first, add 2 to 3 days for that step. Embassy legalization for non-Hague destinations adds another 2 to 4 weeks on top.
What is an e-Apostille and is it accepted abroad?
An e-Apostille is a digitally signed and verifiable electronic Apostille issued by the FCDO. Delivery is 2 to 3 working days as a secure PDF, costing €199 including FCDO fees. It is currently accepted in Italy, the Netherlands, Panama, the Philippines, and an expanding list of Hague Convention countries. Always confirm with the destination authority that they accept electronic submission before ordering – or ask us and we’ll check for you.
Does UK Notarization involve a live video meeting?
Yes. UK Notarization with us is fully online but it does include a short digital meeting with your appointed UK Notary Public. You upload your document and identity documents in advance, complete step-by-step verification, and then meet the Notary briefly to sign and confirm under affirmation. The whole process delivers your notarized document digitally the next day, or by tracked post in 2 to 3 working days if you need a physical copy. €109.
What is the difference between e-Apostille and Paper Apostille?
The e-Apostille is a secure electronic PDF, faster (2 to 3 working days) and lower-cost (€199), but only for eligible document types and accepting destinations. The Paper Apostille is a physical certificate attached to the original document, universally accepted, but takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs €229. We help you choose based on your document type and destination.
Can I get a UK Apostille on a foreign document?
Not directly. The FCDO only apostilles documents bearing the signature or seal of a recognised UK authority (a UK Notary Public, registrar, court official, government department, etc.). If you have a foreign document, the first step is to have it certified by a UK Notary Public via our UK Notarization service – the Notary’s signature becomes the recognised UK signature that the FCDO can then apostille.
What happens if my UK Apostille is rejected by the receiving authority?
The most common rejection reasons are an Apostille older than the destination’s freshness window, missing translation, the wrong route used (e-Apostille submitted to an authority that requires paper), or the destination requiring Embassy legalization rather than an Apostille. Tell us the specific reason given by the receiver and we will re-issue or convert the document to the correct route.