UK documents apostilled by the FCDO Legalisation Office for use in Spain, Latin America, or any Hague country. DBS checks, birth certificates, degrees — plus certified translation. 100% remote.
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What type of UK document do you need apostilled?
The UK has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since 1965. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes is the sole UK apostille authority.
An important distinction: documents from government bodies (GRO birth and marriage certificates, ACRO police certificates, court orders) can go directly to the FCDO. Documents from private institutions (universities, employers) must first be certified by a UK solicitor or notary before the FCDO will apostille them.
We manage both routes and coordinate the full process on your behalf.
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, DBS checks, and university degrees from the UK regularly need apostille for use in Spain, Latin America, and other countries. We handle the FCDO submission remotely.
Spain requires apostilled UK documents for visa and residency applications. Post-Brexit UK documents are apostilled by the FCDO — the process is straightforward but requires knowing which documents need prior notarial certification.
UK university degrees and professional certifications need apostille and certified translation for credential recognition in Spain, Latin America, and elsewhere. We provide both as a single service.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original UK document (or certified copy) | ACRO, GRO, UKVI, universities, courts, solicitors | Varies by document type | Must be original or a copy certified by a UK solicitor or notary. Documents issued by private institutions require prior notarial certification. |
| Apostille by FCDO Legalisation Office | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — Legalisation Office | 3–10 business days standard / next-day available for premium service | The FCDO Legalisation Office is the UK's sole Hague Convention apostille authority. It handles all UK public documents — including DBS checks, birth certificates, and degrees. |
| Certified translation (if required) | Certified / sworn translator | 1–3 business days | Spain, most of Latin America, and non-English-speaking countries require certified translation of UK documents. |
We confirm whether your UK document is directly apostillable by the FCDO or requires prior notarial certification. Private institution documents (university degrees, employer letters) must be notarially certified first.
Documents from private institutions are certified by a UK notary or solicitor before submission to the FCDO. We coordinate this step using our UK partner network.
Documents are submitted to the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes. We offer standard and premium (next-day) service levels depending on your timeline.
Translation (if needed) is coordinated in parallel. Final apostilled documents are returned by tracked international courier to your address worldwide.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office is the UK's sole Hague Convention apostille authority. It issues apostilles for all UK public documents — birth certificates, marriage certificates, DBS checks, court documents, and more.
Yes. University degrees, employer letters, and other documents from private institutions must be certified by a UK solicitor or notary before the FCDO will apostille them. Documents issued by UK government bodies (GRO birth certificates, court orders, ACRO police certificates) can go directly to the FCDO.
No. The UK remains a member of the Hague Apostille Convention post-Brexit. FCDO apostilles are still valid and accepted by all Hague member countries, including all EU member states and Spain.
Standard FCDO processing takes 3–10 business days. Premium (next-day) service is available for most document types. We always quote you the most current processing times before starting.
Yes. Spanish immigration authorities require a certified Spanish translation of UK documents for visa and residency applications. We provide certified translations by sworn translators accepted by Spanish authorities.
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is the UK criminal background check used for employment and immigration purposes. Standard DBS certificates can be apostilled by the FCDO. For use abroad (e.g., for Spain visas), an ACRO Police Certificate — a specifically international criminal record certificate — may be more appropriate and is also apostillable.
Yes. We coordinate FCDO submissions and notarial certifications through our UK partner network. You do not need to be in the UK — we manage the process fully remotely and deliver your apostilled documents worldwide by tracked courier.
Message us today for a free document review and guidance.