When applying for employment overseas or obtaining a working visa, you may be asked to get your document legalised with an apostille. An e-apostille is the digital equivalent of the traditional paper based apostille. Instead of a physical stamp and signature being attached to your degree certificate, the apostille is issued electronically within a PDF file.

For academic documents such as UK degree certificates, the e-apostille route can be faster and more practical, but it is also more controlled. This is because the solicitor certifying a copy by email be satisfied that the document is genuine before issuing a digital apostille.

This article explains how the process works, why verification is required, and what happens at each stage.

Why degree certificates require verification

Unlike many government issued documents, degree certificates are issued by UK universities and colleges without a legal signature or government seal. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not issue an e-apostille unless the document has been digitally certified by a UK solicitor. The solicitor must

1. Check the document is genuine
2. Add an FCDO recognised enhanced digital signature

This is why emailed degree certificates are not accepted at face value. They must be checked through recognised verification methods before any digital certification can occur.

All e-apostille documents must be digitally signed by a UK solicitor.

This is not the same as a scanned signature or typed name. The solicitor must:

• Apply a secure digital signature

• Hold that digital signature on record with the FCDO

• Accept professional responsibility for certifying the document

Only once this digital certification has been applied can the document proceed to the e-apostille stage.

How emailed degree certificates are verified

Degree certificates and transcripts can be sent by email, but only if they can be independently verified. We do not rely on “good faith” or visual inspection alone.

Verification is carried out using one of the following recognised methods.

1. QR code or secure verification link

Some universities issue degree certificates that include:

• A QR code, or

• A secure online verification URL or code

If the link confirms the document details match the file provided, this is usually the fastest verification route.

2. University confirmation by email

If there is no QR code, you can ask the university to email us directly to confirm:

• The document was issued by them

• The award that was issued

• The period of study

The email must come from an official university domain, form the records office or registry department.

3. University document platforms (e.g. Digitary, Gradintel)

Some UK universities now use secure academic document platforms that allow students to share documents.

These platforms allow third parties to securely access and verify degree certificates and transcripts. Where available, this is a reliable and widely accepted method.

4. Direct verification with the university (additional fee)

If none of the above options are available, we can contact the university directly to verify the document.

This involves manual checks, consent forms and administration time. Therefore an additional verification fee applies. Timeframes depend on how quickly the university responds.

What happens after verification

Once the degree certificate has been successfully verified, the rest of the process is straightforward.

Step 1: Digital solicitor certification

Our solicitor applies their FCDO registered digital signature to the verified document.

Step 2: FCDO issues the e-apostille

The digitally certified document is submitted to the FCDO, who issue the official e-apostille.

Step 3: Completed PDF issued by email

You receive a single secure PDF by email containing:

• Your degree certificate copy

• The digital solicitor certification

• The FCDO e-apostille

• The FCDO explanation letter

This PDF is the final legalised document and can be shared electronically with overseas authorities, universities, or employers that accept e-apostilles.