Understanding the UK e-Apostille Service

Apostille Online — 23 September 2026

Learn how the UK e-Apostille service offers a fast, secure way to legalise most UK public documents digitally for international use, with details on eligibility, process and verification.

If you need to use UK documents overseas, you may be asked to provide an apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) now offers a modern digital option — the e‑Apostille — which allows certain documents to be legalised electronically. This guide explains what an e‑Apostille is, which documents qualify, how the process works, and when you must still use a traditional paper apostille.

What Is an e‑Apostille?

An e‑Apostille is a digital apostille certificate issued by the FCDO and attached electronically to a PDF document. It serves the same purpose as a paper apostille: confirming that a UK signature, stamp, or seal is genuine and can be recognised by authorities in Hague Convention countries.

Unlike paper apostilles, e‑Apostilles are delivered electronically, making them faster to receive and easier to store or forward.

Which Documents Qualify for an e‑Apostille?

Only digitally signed PDF documents with a verifiable electronic signature from a UK solicitor, notary, or public authority are eligible. The FCDO must be able to authenticate the electronic signature against its records.

Eligible examples (when digitally signed)

• Powers of attorney
• Company documents (e.g., digitally issued Companies House PDFs)
• Commercial contracts
• Certain court documents if issued digitally with an electronic seal

Documents that cannot receive an e‑Apostille

These must be processed using a traditional paper apostille:

• Birth, marriage, death, civil partnership, and adoption certificates (GRO/NRS/GRONI)
• ACRO police certificates
• DBS certificates (England & Wales)
• Disclosure Scotland / AccessNI certificates
• Fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents cannot be electronically signed in a way the FCDO can verify, so they must follow the paper route.

How to Apply for an e‑Apostille

1. Prepare your document

Your document must be:

• A native PDF, not a scan or printed copy
• Digitally signed with a Qualified or Advanced Electronic Signature
• Signed by a UK solicitor, notary, or issuing authority

Scans, photocopies, or printed PDFs cannot be apostilled because the FCDO must verify a real signature or seal.

2. Submit your application online

Use the official GOV.UK legalisation portal to upload your digitally signed PDF. The entire process is online — no posting required.

3. Verification & issuance

The FCDO checks the electronic signature against its records. Once verified, the e‑Apostille is issued electronically.

Industry guidance shows typical turnaround times of 1–3 working days for correctly prepared documents.

Verifying an e‑Apostille

Foreign authorities can verify an e‑Apostille using the FCDO’s online verification tool. This ensures the apostille is genuine and has not been altered. Digital verification is faster and more secure than inspecting a physical paper apostille.

Fees & Processing Times

The FCDO’s standard apostille fee is £30 per document.
GOV.UK does not list a separate fee for e‑Apostilles.

Typical timelines

• e‑Apostille: 1–3 working days (industry standard)
• Paper apostille: Can take significantly longer depending on postal route and demand

Important Limitations & Considerations

• Not all documents qualify — vital records and police certificates must use the paper route.
• Documents must be UK‑issued — foreign documents must be legalised by their own issuing country.
• Electronic signatures are mandatory — ink signatures on PDFs are not accepted.
• Non‑Hague countries may require embassy legalisation after the apostille.
• Name consistency matters — mismatched names across documents can cause delays.

Real‑World Example

A UK company needs to legalise a digitally signed power of attorney and employment contract for an employee relocating to Dubai. Because both documents are native PDFs with verifiable electronic signatures, the business can apply for e‑Apostilles online and receive them within a few days — avoiding courier delays and speeding up onboarding abroad.

Related Topics

• Apostille for UK Company Incorporation Documents
• When Embassy Legalisation Is Required After an Apostille
• How to Prepare Documents to Avoid Apostille Delays

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