The run-up to Christmas is often a busy period for the Apostille Service. Many customers contact us trying to legalise documents before the holiday closures begin. We recommend all customers submit documents to us as soon as they can. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office, solicitors, embassies and other government offices will all close for statutory holidays, some work reduced hours and many do not reopen until the New Year.

Below you will find more information on our services and estimated processing times.

The final day for completing most inbound apostille orders will be Monday the 19 December 2025. Any documents arriving after this date will most likely be completed in the New Year.  Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee completion as delays can occur when verifying documents. We may need to check documents and closures elsewhere (government offices, registrar offices, solicitors etc.) may affect processing times.

Many of the embassies in London will be closed for several days over Christmas. These closures often mean documents can be delayed for several days beyond normal processing times. For the latest estimates on embassy orders please contact one of the legalisation team. Most orders arriving before in the first week of December should be completed and dispatched before the new year. However, we expect the embassies to be very busy and further delays may occur.

We recommend all customers select a secure return delivery of documents. Choose from UK next working day courier or International DHL delivery.

Please see below for the opening times for our office.

Opening Hours – Christmas & New Year 2025

Wednesday 17 December – 9.00-17.30
Thursday 18 December – 9.00-17.30
Friday 19 December – 9.00-17.30

Saturday 20 December – Closed (weekend)
Sunday 21 December – Closed (weekend)

Monday 22 December – 9.00-17.30
Tuesday 23 December – 9.00-17.30
Wednesday 24 December – 9.00-12.00
Thursday 25 December – Closed
Friday 26 December – Closed

Saturday 27 December – Closed (weekend)
Sunday 28 December – Closed (weekend)

Monday 29 December – 9.00-16.00
Tuesday 30 December – 9.00-16.00
Wednesday 31 December – 9.00-12.00
Thursday 1 January – Closed
Friday 2 January – 9.00-17.30

Saturday 3 January – Closed (weekend)
Sunday 4 January – Closed (weekend)

Monday 5 January – 9.00-17.30

Normal working hours resume.

It has been our pleasure to assist thousands of customers over the last 12 months. The legalisation team have been very busy and deserve a few days off with their family to relax. We hope you all get a chance to find some peace over the next few weeks.

For order updates and general enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.