When Do You Need Your Degree Apostilled?
Your UK degree or diploma is a valuable qualification, but foreign governments and institutions will not accept it at face value. An apostille proves that your academic certificate is a genuine UK document, authenticated by the FCDO.
Here are the most common situations where you will need your degree apostilled:
Working Abroad
Most countries require an apostilled degree certificate as part of a work visa or employment permit application. Employers and government labour departments need to verify that your qualifications are genuine before issuing a work permit. This is especially common in the UAE, Australia, Canada, and across Europe.
Professional Registration Overseas
If you are a doctor, nurse, engineer, accountant, lawyer, or teacher planning to practise abroad, the local professional body will require proof of your UK qualifications. An apostilled degree is typically the first step in getting your credentials recognised in another country.
Further Studies Overseas
Foreign universities require proof of your existing qualifications before admitting you to postgraduate or professional programmes. An apostilled degree certificate satisfies this requirement and speeds up the admissions process.
Which Academic Documents Can Be Apostilled?
The FCDO can apostille a wide range of academic documents issued by UK institutions. Here is a breakdown of the most common types we process.
University Degree Certificates
Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degree certificates from UK universities. These are the most commonly apostilled academic documents. The original certificate issued by the university can be apostilled directly at £90.
Diplomas and HNDs
Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), Foundation Degrees, and other diploma-level qualifications from accredited UK institutions. Original certificates can be apostilled directly.
PGCE and Teaching Qualifications
Postgraduate Certificate in Education and other teaching qualifications. Essential for teachers planning to work in international schools or overseas education systems.
Academic Transcripts
Official university transcripts showing modules studied and grades achieved. Original sealed transcripts from the university can usually be apostilled at £90. Photocopies or unofficial printouts need solicitor certification (£120).
Professional Qualification Certificates
ACCA, CIMA, nursing (NMC), medical (GMC), legal (SRA), engineering (ICE/IET), and other professional body certificates. See the Professional Qualifications section below for more details.
⚠️ Important Note on A-Levels and GCSEs
A-Level and GCSE certificates can also be apostilled if issued by a recognised UK exam board (AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, etc.). However, many exam boards now issue digital certificates only. If you only have a digital printout, it will need solicitor certification (£120) before it can be apostilled.
Do I Need Solicitor Certification?
The rules for academic documents are straightforward: original certificates from UK universities and recognised institutions can be apostilled directly. Photocopies and unofficial documents need solicitor certification first.
✅ No Solicitor Needed — £90
Original certificates from UK institutions:
- • Original university degree certificates
- • Original HND/diploma certificates
- • Original PGCE certificates
- • Official sealed transcripts
- • Professional body certificates (originals)
- • A-Level/GCSE certificates (originals from exam boards)
📝 Solicitor Required — £120
Copies, printouts, and supporting documents:
- • Photocopies of degree certificates
- • Digital printouts of certificates
- • Unofficial transcripts or grade reports
- • Confirmation letters from universities
- • Letters of good standing
- • Translated academic documents
Important: If you have lost your original degree certificate, contact your university to request a replacement before ordering an apostille. Most UK universities can issue a certified replacement that qualifies for the £90 service, saving you £30 compared to apostilling a photocopy with solicitor certification.
Step-by-Step Process
Getting your degree or diploma apostilled through LegaliseNow follows a simple, clear process.
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 degree certificate to our London office, or drop it off in person. We strongly recommend tracked delivery when sending original degree certificates — they are irreplaceable and take weeks to reissue.
We Verify Your Document
Our team checks your certificate to ensure it meets FCDO requirements. We verify the issuing institution, check for proper signatures and seals, and confirm whether solicitor certification is needed. If there are any issues, we contact you before proceeding.
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 — no postal delays.
Return to You
Your apostilled degree is returned via your chosen delivery method. Full tracking is provided at every stage so you know exactly where your document is.
Country-Specific Requirements
Different countries have different requirements beyond the basic apostille. Here are the most common destinations and what you need to know for each.
AE United Arab Emirates
The UAE has one of the most demanding processes for academic document legalisation. Your apostilled degree needs additional embassy attestation (MOFA) before it is accepted. This is required for all work visa and employment permit applications in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the UAE.
AU Australia
For skilled migration visas, your degree may need to be assessed by the relevant skills assessment authority (such as VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, or ACS for IT professionals). An apostilled degree certificate is typically required as part of the skills assessment submission.
DE Germany
If you are applying to a German university, your UK degree typically goes through uni-assist for evaluation. An apostilled degree certificate may be required depending on the university and programme. For employment, your apostilled degree proves your qualifications to German employers and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
US United States
US employers and institutions typically require credential evaluation through organisations like WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). An apostilled degree certificate is often part of the credential evaluation package.
Professional Qualifications
Professional qualifications from UK regulatory and professional bodies can also be apostilled. However, the rules vary depending on the type of qualification and the issuing body.
| Qualification | Issuing Body | Solicitor Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| ACCA Certificate | ACCA | No (original) — £90 |
| Nursing Registration | NMC | No (original) — £90 |
| Medical Registration | GMC | No (original) — £90 |
| Legal Practising Certificate | SRA | No (original) — £90 |
| Letter of Good Standing | Various | Often yes — £120 |
| Verification Letter | Various | Usually yes — £120 |
💡 Not Sure About Your Qualification?
The rules for professional qualifications can be complex because each professional body issues documents differently. Contact us at info@legalisenow.com or call 0203 916 6250, and we will check your specific qualification and advise you on the correct service — potentially saving you £30 per document.
Costs & Delivery Options
Our pricing for degree and diploma apostille is simple and fully transparent.
💷 Apostille Service Pricing
| Service | Price per Document | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Original Certificate — Apostille Only | £90 | Next working day |
| Copy/Transcript — 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 need both your degree certificate and transcript apostilled, send them together. You only pay the delivery fee once. Contact us for volume discounts on three or more documents — common for professionals needing multiple qualifications processed at once.