How Much Does a UK Apostille Cost in 2026?
The cost of getting a UK document apostilled depends on the type of document, whether it needs solicitor certification, and the delivery method you choose. Here is a clear breakdown of all the costs involved.
Getting an apostille involves several steps: verifying the document is eligible, preparing it correctly, submitting it to the FCDO, collecting it, and returning it to you safely. A professional service handles all of these steps end-to-end, saving you significant time and eliminating the risk of costly mistakes or rejections.
💷 LegaliseNow Pricing at a Glance
| Service | Price per Document | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille (Without Solicitor) | £90 | Next working day |
| Apostille (With Solicitor Certification) | £120 | Next working day |
| Embassy Attestation | From £150 | 5–15 working days |
✅ No Hidden Fees
Our prices are fully transparent. The fee shown covers the complete apostille service including FCDO submission, document verification, tracking, and our money-back guarantee. Delivery is the only additional cost and is clearly displayed at checkout.
What's Included in the Apostille Fee?
When you order an apostille through LegaliseNow, your fee covers a comprehensive end-to-end service. Here is exactly what you get for your money.
FCDO Apostille Stamp
The official apostille certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, recognised by all 125+ Hague Convention member countries.
Document Verification
We check every document before submission to the FCDO, catching potential issues like missing signatures, incorrect formatting, or documents that require solicitor certification first.
Next Working Day Processing
As an FCDO-registered agent, we submit your documents directly and collect them the next working day. No waiting 4–6 weeks for postal processing.
Full Tracking
Track your document through every stage of the process. You will know exactly where your documents are and when they will be ready.
Money-Back Guarantee
If your document cannot be apostilled for any reason, you receive a full refund. We carry professional indemnity insurance of £2 million for your peace of mind.
💡 The £120 Option Also Includes:
If you choose the £120 service with solicitor certification, the price also covers a UK solicitor certifying your document as a true copy of the original — a step required for photocopies and many private documents. You do not need to find or pay a solicitor separately.
Do I Need Solicitor Certification?
One of the most common questions we receive is whether a document needs solicitor certification before it can be apostilled. The answer depends on the type of document you have. Getting this right saves you £30 per document.
✅ No Solicitor Needed (£90)
Original certified documents from a UK public authority:
- • Birth certificates (GRO originals)
- • Marriage certificates (GRO originals)
- • Death certificates (GRO originals)
- • Decree absolute (court-issued)
- • ACRO police certificates
- • University degree certificates (originals)
- • Companies House certificates
- • Court orders (original sealed copies)
📝 Solicitor Required (£120)
Photocopies, unsigned documents, and private documents:
- • Photocopies of any document
- • Employment reference letters
- • Bank statements
- • Medical reports
- • Powers of attorney
- • Commercial contracts
- • Translations
- • Statutory declarations
Quick Rule: If the document was issued and signed by a UK government body or public authority (GRO, court, university, ACRO, Companies House), it can usually be apostilled directly at £90. If it is a photocopy, a private document, or unsigned, it needs solicitor certification first at £120.
⚠️ Not Sure Which You Need?
If you are unsure whether your document needs solicitor certification, contact us before ordering. We will check your document and advise you — potentially saving you £30 per document. Call 0203 916 6250 or email info@legalisenow.com.
Embassy Attestation Costs
If your documents are destined for a country that is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you need embassy attestation instead of (or in addition to) a standard apostille. This is a two-step process that costs more and takes longer.
🏛️ How Embassy Attestation Works
FCDO Apostille
Your UK document first receives an FCDO apostille stamp, exactly the same as for Hague countries.
Embassy Legalisation
The apostilled document is then submitted to the relevant embassy or consulate in London for further authentication and their official stamp.
🌍 Supported Embassies & Pricing
LegaliseNow handles embassy attestation for the following non-Hague countries. Pricing starts from £150 per document, which covers both the FCDO apostille and the embassy legalisation.
| Country | Starting Price | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| AE UAE | From £150 | 5–10 working days |
| QA Qatar | From £150 | 5–10 working days |
| KW Kuwait | From £150 | 5–15 working days |
| EG Egypt | From £150 | 5–15 working days |
| AO Angola | From £150 | 5–15 working days |
| MY Malaysia | From £150 | 5–10 working days |
| TH Thailand | From £150 | 5–10 working days |
| VN Vietnam | From £150 | 5–15 working days |
💡 Why Does Embassy Attestation Cost More?
Embassy attestation involves additional steps: each embassy charges its own legalisation fee (which varies by country and document type), the process takes longer (5–15 working days versus next day for apostille), and there are additional courier and handling requirements. Our from-£150 price covers the full end-to-end process.
Delivery Options & Costs
Once your documents are apostilled, you need them back safely and quickly. We offer four delivery options to suit different needs and budgets.
In Person Collection
Free
Collect from our London office at 50 Broadway, SW1H 0DB
DHL UK Next Day
£11.63
Tracked next-day delivery anywhere in the UK
DHL Europe
£40
Tracked express delivery across Europe (2–4 days)
DHL Worldwide
£50
Tracked express delivery worldwide (3–7 days)
Cost-Saving Tip: If you are sending multiple documents, they can all be shipped together in a single delivery. You only pay the delivery fee once, not per document. Batching five documents with DHL UK delivery works out at just £2.33 per document for shipping.
DIY vs Professional Apostille Service
You can submit documents to the FCDO yourself, or you can use a professional service like LegaliseNow. Here is an honest comparison to help you decide which makes sense for your situation.
🏠 DIY (Direct to FCDO)
Total time: 4–6 weeks (longer if rejected)
⚡ Professional Service (LegaliseNow)
Total cost: £90 or £120 (all-inclusive)
Total time: Next working day
🤔 When Does DIY Make Sense?
- No time pressure: You do not need the document for at least 6–8 weeks and can afford delays.
- Simple document: You have an original GRO certificate (birth, marriage, death) that definitely does not need solicitor certification.
- Single document: You only need one document apostilled and are comfortable managing the postal process.
- Tight budget: Every pound matters and you are willing to trade time for cost saving.
⚡ When Should You Use a Professional?
- Deadline approaching: You have a visa application, job start date, or legal deadline within weeks.
- Multiple documents: You need several documents apostilled and want them handled efficiently.
- Unsure about requirements: You are not certain whether your documents need solicitor certification or which process applies.
- High-value documents: Sending irreplaceable originals through the post feels risky without proper tracking and insurance.
- Embassy attestation needed: Non-Hague countries require additional embassy steps that are complex to navigate alone.
How to Save Money on Apostille
Whether you go the DIY route or use a professional service, these practical tips can help reduce your total spend on document legalisation.
📦 1. Batch Your Documents
If you need multiple documents apostilled, send them all together. You save on delivery costs (one fee, not one per document) and may qualify for volume discounts. Contact us for a custom quote on three or more documents.
🔍 2. Check Whether You Really Need Solicitor Certification
Many people assume they need the £120 service when the £90 option would suffice. If you have an original document from a UK public authority (GRO, court, university), you likely do not need solicitor certification. Ask us to check before you order.
📍 3. Choose the Right Delivery Method
If you are in London, collect in person for free. If you are in the UK, DHL Next Day at £11.63 is far cheaper than the international options. Only choose DHL Worldwide if you genuinely need documents delivered abroad.
📋 4. Confirm Requirements Before Ordering
Contact the authority or institution that needs your documents and confirm exactly what they require. Sometimes a certified copy is acceptable instead of apostilling the original, or you may not need all the documents you think you do.
📞 5. Ask About Volume Discounts
For three or more documents, contact us for a bespoke quote. We offer discounted rates for bulk orders, which is particularly helpful for families relocating abroad or businesses with multiple employees needing documents processed.
💰 Real-World Savings Example
Family of four relocating abroad — 8 documents needed (2 birth certificates, 1 marriage certificate, 2 degrees, 2 ACRO certificates, 1 professional qualification):
Without Batching:
- • 8 × £90 = £720
- • 8 × £11.63 delivery = £93
- • Total: £813
With Batching + Volume Discount:
- • 8 documents at discounted rate
- • 1 × £11.63 delivery = £11.63
- • Contact us for your quote