When preparing documents for international use, you may come across two important terms: notarisation and apostille. While both are forms of document authentication, they serve different purposes and are often used in different stages of the legalisation process. Understanding the difference between notarisation and apostille — and when you might need both — is essential for ensuring your documents are accepted abroad.
What is Notarisation?
Notarisation is the process of having a document certified by a notary public. The notary verifies the identity of the person signing the document and confirms that they signed it willingly and knowingly. Notarisation is often required for legal documents such as:
Power of attorney
Statutory declarations
Affidavits
Company documents
Academic certificates
The notary public stamps and signs the document, confirming its authenticity. However, this does not make the document legally recognised overseas — that’s where the apostille comes in.
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It confirms that the signature, stamp, or seal on a document is genuine, and is required when presenting UK documents in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
The apostille does not validate the content of the document — it only certifies the authenticity of the signature or seal. Common documents requiring an apostille include:
Birth, marriage, and death certificates
Academic qualifications
Criminal record checks (DBS)
Court documents
Certified company records
Notarisation vs. Apostille: What’s the Difference?
The key difference lies in purpose and authority:
Notarisation confirms the signing process and the identity of the person signing the document.
Apostille certifies the authenticity of the notary’s signature or the original official document for international use.
When Do You Need Both?
In many cases, especially for private or legal documents, you will need to have the document notarised first, and then apply for an apostille. For example, if you’re submitting a power of attorney or a sworn affidavit abroad, the typical process is:
Have the document notarised by a UK notary public.
Submit the notarised document to the FCDO to receive the apostille.
This two-step process ensures your document is both legally signed and internationally recognised.
When Might You Only Need One?
Some documents issued by UK authorities (such as birth certificates or company records from Companies House) may not require notarisation and can go straight to apostille certification. However, private legal documents often need both.
Need Help with Apostille or Notarisation?
At ApostilleOnline.org, we help individuals and businesses across the UK navigate document legalisation with ease. Whether you need notarisation, an apostille, or both, our experts ensure your paperwork is processed quickly and correctly.
Notarisation vs. Apostille: When Do You Need Both?
When preparing documents for international use, you may come across two important terms: notarisation and apostille. While both are forms of document authentication, they serve different purposes and are often used in different stages of the legalisation process. Understanding the difference between notarisation and apostille — and when you might need both — is essential for ensuring your documents are accepted abroad.
What is Notarisation?
Notarisation is the process of having a document certified by a notary public. The notary verifies the identity of the person signing the document and confirms that they signed it willingly and knowingly. Notarisation is often required for legal documents such as:
Power of attorney
Statutory declarations
Affidavits
Company documents
Academic certificates
The notary public stamps and signs the document, confirming its authenticity. However, this does not make the document legally recognised overseas — that’s where the apostille comes in.
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It confirms that the signature, stamp, or seal on a document is genuine, and is required when presenting UK documents in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
The apostille does not validate the content of the document — it only certifies the authenticity of the signature or seal. Common documents requiring an apostille include:
Birth, marriage, and death certificates
Academic qualifications
Criminal record checks (DBS)
Court documents
Certified company records
Notarisation vs. Apostille: What’s the Difference?
The key difference lies in purpose and authority:
Notarisation confirms the signing process and the identity of the person signing the document.
Apostille certifies the authenticity of the notary’s signature or the original official document for international use.
When Do You Need Both?
In many cases, especially for private or legal documents, you will need to have the document notarised first, and then apply for an apostille. For example, if you’re submitting a power of attorney or a sworn affidavit abroad, the typical process is:
Have the document notarised by a UK notary public.
Submit the notarised document to the FCDO to receive the apostille.
This two-step process ensures your document is both legally signed and internationally recognised.
When Might You Only Need One?
Some documents issued by UK authorities (such as birth certificates or company records from Companies House) may not require notarisation and can go straight to apostille certification. However, private legal documents often need both.
Need Help with Apostille or Notarisation?
At ApostilleOnline.org, we help individuals and businesses across the UK navigate document legalisation with ease. Whether you need notarisation, an apostille, or both, our experts ensure your paperwork is processed quickly and correctly.
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