Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for my order?
Online, it’s safe and secure. We use WorldPay one of the world's most recognisable online payment systems. If you have used a card to buy something recently then more than likely Worldpay is the platform you have used.
You can use a bank transfer if you wish. We can supply bank details upon request.
Why do I need to attest?
The simple reason is that it attestation verifies documents as genuine which is vital when schools are employing UK staff and offering a fully integrated British education. Check our simple video explanation below.
What happens if my certificates are not approved for attestation?
This is extremely rare, once we have got past the notary phase. We will ask the issuing body why that step of the process failed and resubmit as needed. This could incur an extra cost or additional time to complete the process. We will advise at the time.
Can I complete any part of the process myself?
You can use your own notary if you wish and then we can complete the process for you. You can also do the same with the FCO attestation but remember all phases must be completed in order and you may have to present yourself in person at the embassy to complete the notary or apostille process.
What is 'The Process'
Basically:
The Notary authenticates the document.
The FCO Apostille authenticates the Notary.
The embassy then legalises the document for use in their country.
A document has to be signed and sealed by a Notary they then must get a certificate from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
This certificate is an Apostille and it confirms that the signature and seal of the Notary is genuine.
The final stage of the process is to take it to the Embassy of choice to be legalised for use in that particular country.
What is a notary and why not a solicitor?
NOTE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ONLY RECOGNISE A NOTARY SEAL AND RIBBONS TO BIND TOGETHER DOCUMENTS.
Only a registered notary can 'notarise' a document with a notary seal.
Please check any 'notary' you take your documents to is an actual notary.
This could save a lot of time and expense, you can check on the Notaries Society website.
The description of the work a notary undertakes (taken directly from their website) is as follows:
Preparing and authenticating powers of attorney for use overseas
Dealing with purchase or sale of land and property abroad
Authenticating foreign wills and providing documents to deal with the administration of the estates of people who are abroad, or owning property abroad
Authenticating personal documents and information for immigration or emigration purposes, or to apply to marry or to work abroad, such as education or professional qualifications or declarations of freedom to marry
Authenticating company and business documents and transactions or providing certificates as to the status of a company or the identity of its directors
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a standardised certificate that authenticates a public document for use in another country. It comes from the Hague Convention of 1961, which lets member countries recognise each other's official certificates without needing the traditional embassy legalisation process. Once an Apostille is attached by the issuing country's designated authority, the document is legally accepted in any other member country.
Which countries accept an Apostille instead of embassy legalisation?
Over 120 countries are members of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, including the UK, USA, Australia, most of the EU, China (Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao), India, Japan, South Africa, and many others. If both the issuing country and the destination country are members, an Apostille alone is sufficient — no embassy stamp is needed. If your destination country isn't a member (this includes several countries across the Middle East), the document will need additional consular attestation at the destination country's embassy after the Apostille is issued.
Do I need a notary to get an Apostille on my UK birth or marriage certificate?
No. If your document is an official UK Crown certificate — such as a birth or marriage certificate issued by a UK registry office — you can send it straight to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for an Apostille. A notary adds no legal value here and is an unnecessary added cost. This applies because the certificate itself, even the first copy handed to you at the registry office, is already a government-certified copy of the centrally held record at the General Register Office — so it already carries the official authority the FCDO requires.
I need to move abroad with my child after a separation — do I need the other parent's permission?
In most cases, yes. Under the Children Act 1989, taking a child to live abroad permanently without the written consent of everyone who holds Parental Responsibility (PR), or without a specific court order, is classed as child abduction — a criminal offence. The mother automatically has PR; the father has PR if he was married to the mother at the time of birth or is named on the birth certificate (for UK births registered after December 2003). If the other parent won't consent, you'd need to apply to the Family Court for a Specific Issue Order (sometimes called "Leave to Remove from the Jurisdiction"), and the court will decide based on the child's best interests.
What does a valid relocation consent letter need to include?
A proper permanent relocation consent letter is more detailed than a simple holiday travel letter. It should clearly state that the parent consents to the child **permanently residing** abroad, and include: full details of both parents and the child (names, passport numbers, dates of birth); a clear statement of consent naming the destination country; the child's proposed address and school overseas where known; an acknowledgment of agreed future contact arrangements; explicit medical/welfare decision-making authority for the relocating parent; and a signature executed by hand and witnessed by a Notary Public (digital signatures are routinely rejected by border control and foreign registries for child relocation matters).
How does a relocation consent letter get legalised?
Because it's a private document rather than a government-issued certificate, a relocation consent letter can't be apostilled in its raw form — it has to be converted into a public notarial act first. The process is: (1) the consenting parent appears in person before a UK Notary Public with photo ID, proof of address, and the child's original long-form birth certificate; (2) the parent signs the letter in the notary's presence, and the notary attaches their notarial certificate and seal; (3) the notarised document is sent to the FCDO, who verify the notary's signature and seal against their database and attach a physical Apostille Certificate. For international relocation, a physical paper Apostille is strongly recommended over an e-Apostille, since border officials expect a hard-copy, embossed certificate.
What if I'm moving to a country that isn't part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
If the destination country hasn't signed the 1961 Convention (this includes several Middle Eastern countries), the FCDO Apostille isn't the final step. After the Apostille is attached, the document must also go to the London embassy or consulate of the destination country for Consular Attestation before it will be accepted.