When Do You Need a Birth Certificate Apostilled?
A birth certificate is one of the most frequently apostilled documents in the UK. It serves as the foundational proof of identity and nationality, and foreign governments routinely require an apostilled version before they will process applications.
Here are the most common situations where you will need an apostilled birth certificate:
Moving Abroad or Immigration
Most countries require an apostilled birth certificate as part of a visa or residency application. This proves your identity and nationality to the foreign immigration authority. Countries like Spain, France, Australia, and the UAE all require this for long-term visa applications.
Getting Married Overseas
Foreign marriage registries require proof of identity and often an apostilled birth certificate is mandatory before they will schedule the ceremony. This is particularly common in Italy, Spain, France, and many South American countries.
Enrolling Children in School Abroad
International schools and foreign education authorities often require an apostilled birth certificate to enrol a child. This confirms the child's identity, age, and nationality for school registration purposes.
Dual Nationality or Citizenship Applications
If you are applying for citizenship in another country — whether by descent, marriage, or naturalisation — an apostilled birth certificate is almost always required as part of the application file.
Which Birth Certificate Can Be Apostilled?
Not every piece of paper that says "birth certificate" can be apostilled directly. The FCDO has specific requirements about which documents they will accept, and understanding the difference upfront will save you time and money.
✅ GRO Original Certificates
The General Register Office (GRO) is the official authority for vital records in England and Wales. A GRO-issued birth certificate — whether ordered recently or decades ago — is the gold standard for apostille. These certificates bear the GRO watermark and official seal, and the FCDO will apostille them directly without any additional certification.
📋 Long-Form vs Short-Form
Long-Form (Full Certificate)
Contains all details including parents' names, occupations, and place of birth. This is the version most countries and institutions require.
- • Includes mother and father details
- • Accepted by virtually all countries
- • Recommended for immigration and marriage
Short-Form (Abbreviated Certificate)
Contains only the child's name, sex, date, and place of birth. Does not include parent information.
- • Can be apostilled, but limited acceptance
- • Some countries reject short-form certificates
- • Check requirements before using this version
⚠️ Our Recommendation
Always use the long-form (full) birth certificate unless you have confirmed that the receiving authority accepts the short-form version. If you are unsure which you have, look for parent details — if they are listed, it is the long-form.
📦 How to Order a Replacement from the GRO
If you do not have your original birth certificate, or if your copy is damaged or faded, you can order a replacement from the GRO. Replacements are certified originals and are fully accepted for apostille at the £90 rate.
- Online: Order through the GOV.UK website — the quickest method, typically delivered within 2 weeks.
- Cost: £11 for a standard certificate ordered online.
- Priority service: Available for faster delivery at an additional fee.
- Scotland: Certificates from National Records of Scotland (NRS) are also accepted for apostille.
- Northern Ireland: Certificates from GRONI are accepted for apostille.
Do I Need Solicitor Certification?
Whether your birth certificate needs solicitor certification depends entirely on the type of document you are submitting. Getting this right is the single biggest factor in determining your cost.
✅ No Solicitor Needed — £90
Original GRO-issued certificates:
- • Original birth certificate from GRO
- • Replacement certificate ordered from GRO
- • Certificates from NRS (Scotland)
- • Certificates from GRONI (Northern Ireland)
These are issued by a public authority and can be apostilled directly.
📝 Solicitor Required — £120
Photocopies and non-official documents:
- • Photocopy of a birth certificate
- • Scanned or printed copy
- • Certificates not issued by a UK registry
- • Foreign birth certificates (UK apostille does not apply)
Solicitor certification is included in our £120 price. No need to find a solicitor yourself.
Cost-Saving Tip: If you only have a photocopy, consider ordering a fresh GRO original for £11 instead of paying for solicitor certification. A new GRO certificate qualifies for the £90 apostille service, saving you £19 overall (£11 + £90 = £101 vs £120).
Step-by-Step Process
Getting your birth certificate apostilled through LegaliseNow is straightforward. Here is exactly what happens from order to delivery.
Place Your Order Online
Use our online tool to select your document type, choose whether you need solicitor certification, and pick your delivery method. Payment is taken securely via Stripe.
Send Us Your Document
Post your birth certificate to our London office, or drop it off in person. We recommend tracked delivery for your peace of mind when sending originals.
We Verify Your Document
Our team checks your birth certificate to ensure it meets FCDO requirements. If there are any issues, we contact you before proceeding — preventing costly rejections and delays.
FCDO Submission & Collection
We submit your document to the FCDO and collect it the next working day with the apostille stamp attached. As a registered agent, we have direct submission access.
Return to You
Your apostilled birth certificate is returned via your chosen delivery method — in-person collection, DHL UK, DHL Europe, or DHL Worldwide. Full tracking is provided at every stage.
Countries That Commonly Require It
While any Hague Convention member country may request an apostilled birth certificate, these are the destinations where we process the most birth certificate apostilles for our clients.
ES Spain
Required for NIE (tax identification number) applications, residency permits, and property purchases. Spanish authorities almost always require the long-form birth certificate with an apostille. If you are applying for a non-lucrative visa or golden visa, expect to need this document.
IT Italy
Essential for getting married in Italy. The Italian comune (municipality) requires an apostilled birth certificate, typically translated into Italian by a certified translator. Also needed for elective residency visa applications.
FR France
Required for carte de séjour (residence permit) applications, marriage, and PACS (civil partnership) registrations. French préfectures routinely ask for an apostilled birth certificate with a sworn French translation.
AU Australia
Needed for skilled migration visa applications and partner visa applications. The Department of Home Affairs requires apostilled identity documents as part of the offshore visa process.
AE UAE
Required for work visa and residency applications, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. UAE authorities require an apostilled birth certificate plus embassy attestation (from £150) for family visa sponsorship. The birth certificate must then be attested by the UAE embassy in London.
💡 Not Sure About Your Country?
Use our What Do I Need? tool to check the requirements for your specific destination country. It covers 127+ countries and will tell you exactly which documents and services you need.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After processing thousands of birth certificate apostilles, we see the same mistakes regularly. Avoiding these will save you time, money, and frustration.
✗ Sending a Photocopy Without Solicitor Certification
This is the most common mistake. A plain photocopy cannot be apostilled — it will be rejected by the FCDO. If you are sending a photocopy, it must be certified by a UK solicitor first. Our £120 service includes this, or you can order a fresh GRO original for £11 and use the £90 service instead.
✗ Using a Damaged or Faded Certificate
The FCDO may reject birth certificates that are significantly damaged, faded, stained, or torn. If there is any doubt about the legibility or condition of your certificate, order a replacement from the GRO before submitting it for apostille. A fresh certificate costs just £11.
✗ Sending the Wrong Certificate Type
Many countries specifically require the long-form (full) birth certificate, not the short-form version. If you send a short-form certificate and the receiving country requires the long-form, you will need to start the entire process again with the correct document. Check requirements before ordering your apostille.
✗ Not Checking Translation Requirements
Some countries require the apostilled birth certificate to be accompanied by a certified translation into the local language. The translation itself may also need to be apostilled. Check with the receiving authority whether a translation is needed before submitting your order.
✗ Forgetting the Apostille is for the Receiving Country
A UK apostille authenticates a UK document for use abroad. If you have a foreign birth certificate, it cannot be apostilled by the UK FCDO. It would need to be apostilled by the issuing country's competent authority instead.
Costs & Delivery Options
Our pricing for birth certificate apostille is simple and transparent. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
💷 Apostille Service Pricing
| Service | Price per Document | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| GRO Original — Apostille Only | £90 | Next working day |
| Photocopy — With Solicitor Certification | £120 | Next working day |
📦 Delivery Options
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)
✅ Multiple Documents? Save on Delivery
If you are sending multiple documents (for example, birth certificates for the whole family), they can all be shipped together in a single delivery. You only pay the delivery fee once, not per document. Contact us for volume discounts on three or more documents.