Legalisation

Each country’s legal requirements are unique to them and many require that notarised documents are also ‘legalised’ by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and / or the country’s embassy, or consulate.

Generally speaking, ‘legalisation’ is the process whereby the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and/or the Embassy of the receiving country check that the document has been notarised by a qualified Notary Public. This helps ensure it will be accepted in the receiving jurisdiction.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office attaches a note to the document called an ‘apostille’, which is also sometimes referred to as ‘the apostille of the Hague’.

Each country has specific requirements that may involve an apostille being obtained, may require consular legalisation at the Embassy of the relevant country or the authorities in the receiving country may require both.

I can advise on the requirements of the receiving country and arrange for the correct legalisation procedures to be followed. In urgent cases, an agent can be instructed and I can advise on the costs of this.

Further information about legalisation at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can be found by clicking here.

If you would like further information, please feel free to call me on 01695 574 201, email me at mprendergast@dphlaw.co.uk or fill out the contact form.