LEGALISATION

Many jurisdictions have requirements for further certification once documents have been Notarially certified. In particular the affixing of the Hague Apostille via the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and sometimes Consular legalisation may be required.

Our Services

We have a dedicated Legalisation Services department who will organise any legalisation as required at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and any required Consulate. If required we are able to advise you if you have any specific queries regarding the requirements for a specific jurisdiction. Please email  info@mksn.co.uk and a member of our team will assist you.

What is an ‘Apostille'’?

The Apostille is the means through which a public document issued in one state (jurisdiction) can be certified and used in another legal state.  The Apostille itself is normally a paper certificate or stamp (form depends on the state itself) and has 10 standardised fields.  The competent authority that issues the Apostille varies according to the state.  In the United Kingdom, all Apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (also known as the “FCDO”). 

We will advise you of the usual requirements of the final country of destination. However, should ask your lawyer or representative in that country for confirmation about any specifics about requirements before any appointment for notarial certification.

Generally speaking documents signed by a Notary or other Public officer for those countries which are signatories to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents only require an Apostille.  States which have not yet signed up to the Hague Convention normally require the Apostille and further legalisation (sometimes known as “Supra-legalisation”) at the Consulate of the destination in the UK, often situated in London.  Consular legalisation is certification of the Apostille.