apostille birth certificate
Government Document

Birth Certificates

A UK birth certificate is an official government-issued document that can be legalised with an apostille without any solicitor certification. Most orders are completed in just 1-2 working days all being well. If you also need a translation or embassy attestation services the processing time will be increased.

When You Need an Apostille for a Birth Certificate:

  • Visa Applications

  • Registering a birth overseas

  • Passport Applications

UK birth certificates normally need an apostille when registering a birth in another country or proving your identity.

There are two versions of birth certificates. The short version records the name of the person, town of birth and the date of birth. The long version also records this information and, in addition, shows the parents’ details.

We recommend when possible you always legalise the long version of the birth certificate. It is not possible to legalise photocopies of birth certificates. You must always send us the original certificate or a registry issued replacement copy. Even if your photocopy is certified by a solicitor or notary public we cannot issue the apostille to a photocopy.

Most birth certificates are printed in black and green or black and red. They will be signed by a local registrar or bear the government registry office stamp. We can legalise birth certificates issued in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Apostille Only – For Documents Already Signed or Certified

Registered with the FCDO we obtain the apostille for you quickly.

Order online and send your document to us!

Apostille issued in 1-2 days.

Apostille Only

1-2 Day Service

£82

PER DOCUMENT

Choose the Service You Need

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If your document is being used in a country that is part of the Apostille convention then the document will usually need the Apostille. We can assist with this!

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Embassy attestation is needed when documents are being used in countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. We can assist with getting documents by many embassies.

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We offer standard translations and sworn translations for the vast majority of countries. Ensure your documents can be understood in the country they are being presented!

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FAQs

Getting an apostille for a UK birth certificate is simple using our service. You simply need to order the apostille online and post your document to our office with the order number we issue. We will issue the apostille on a birth certificate in just a few days.

Please send us the original certificate, do not send a photocopy, as we can only accept the original document or an official replacement document issued by the UK registry. The document will be checked and usually legalised with the apostille in just 2 days. If we experience a delay checking the signature on your document we will let you know.

We recommend you send the long version birth certificate that includes the parent’s names.

When a child is born in the UK two birth certificates are issued. One of these birth certificates contain just the child’s name, place of birth and date of birth. This is called the ‘short version’. The alternative version provides the same details as the short version but also includes the names of the parents. This is called the ‘long version’ of the birth certificate.

The apostille can be attached to both versions but we recommend, where possible, you legalise the long version. This is typically required when presenting a UK birth certificate outside of the UK.

If you have misplaced your birth certificate, or do not wish to send us your original birth certificate, you can purchase an official copy which would be sufficient for the apostille process. You can obtain an official copy from your local registry office, where the birth was first recorded. Alternatively, you can obtain a replacement document online from the GRO (General Registry Office).

If you would like assistance ordering a replacement birth certificate, we can assist. We have an account with the GRO and can obtain these replacements on your behalf, if required. Please contact us for assistance ordering a replacement certificate or you can order the service online – Order a replacement birth certificate.

Yes. Providing an apostille for a Northern Ireland birth certificate is just the same as processing a certificate from England, Scotland or Wales. We complete the service in just a few days and return the document to you with an apostille attached to the back.

We can post this back to Northern Ireland, anywhere in the UK, or overseas.

It is not possible to attach a UK apostille to an original birth, marriage or death certificate that has been issued outside of the UK. The only exception to this is if the certificate is actually a UK document but has been issued by an overseas British Embassy or Consulate.

The only way a UK apostille can be attached to a non-UK birth, marriage or death certificate is if we create a certified copy and issue the UK apostille to a true copy of the document. We are not allowed to put the UK apostille certificate on the original document.

If you do want us to arrange for the apostille to be attached to a copy of the document, you will need to check if this method of legalisation will be accepted by whoever you intend to present the document to. If you decide to go ahead with a certified copy of a non-UK birth certificate, you will need to post the document to us for copying and certification. This will incur a further charge.

If you must have the apostille attached to the original document, you will need to locate an apostille provider in the country of origin. Unfortunately, even the Embassy for the country of origin cannot issue apostilles. The apostille certificate can only be issued to the original document in the document’s home country. If the country of origin does not issue apostilles you will need to ask the person requesting the legalised document from you which alternative method of legalisation they will accept.