Why people need apostilles, translations and legalisation

Digital nomad / remote work visa

Typical documents

• Police certificate (ACRO)
• Degree certificate
• Employment letter or contract
• Company documents (if self-employed)
• Marriage / birth certificates (family)

Usually needs

Residency or retirement visa

Typical documents

• Police certificate (ACRO)
• Bank or pension letters
• Marriage certificate

Usually needs

For example Portugal D7 or Spain non-lucrative visa.

Work visa / job abroad

Typical documents

• Degree and transcripts
• Experience letters
• Police certificate
• Professional licence

Usually needs

Embassy legalisation for non-Hague countries such as the UAE and Qatar.

Family reunion / spouse visa

Typical documents

• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificates
• Divorce certificate (if applicable)

Usually needs

Citizenship by descent

Typical documents

• Birth, marriage and death certificates across generations

Usually needs

For example Italian, Irish or Portuguese citizenship. Often many documents.

Indian passport, Surrender Certificate and OCI

Typical documents

• Current or old Indian passport
• UK naturalisation certificate
• UK birth certificate (children)
• Address and status proof

Usually needs

We check documents and prepare forms; you attend your VFS appointment.

Study visa / university abroad

Typical documents

• Degree certificate
• Transcripts
• School certificates
• Police certificate (some countries)

Usually needs

Degree recognition

Typical documents

• Degree certificate
• Transcripts
• Course syllabus

Usually needs

For example Italy's Declaration of Value or Spain's homologación.

Teaching abroad

Typical documents

• Degree certificate
• TEFL certificate
• DBS or ACRO certificate

Usually needs

Embassy legalisation for the Gulf and some Asian countries.

Healthcare jobs abroad

Typical documents

• Professional registration
• Degree certificate
• Certificate of good standing
• Police certificate

Usually needs

For doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.

Professional licence recognition

Typical documents

• Qualifications
• Membership certificates
• Experience letters

Usually needs

For example engineers, lawyers and accountants.

Employee secondment to the EU

Typical documents

• A1 certificate
• Employment contract

Usually needs

Apostille only where the authority asks for it.

Marriage abroad

Typical documents

• Birth certificate
• Certificate of no impediment
• Divorce or death certificate (if previously married)

Usually needs

Registering a birth abroad

Typical documents

• Parents' marriage certificate
• Birth certificates

Usually needs

Divorce or name change abroad

Typical documents

• Decree absolute / final order
• Deed poll

Usually needs

Adoption

Typical documents

• Home study report
• Court orders
• Medical and police certificates

Usually needs

Often many documents.

Inheritance and probate abroad

Typical documents

• Death certificate
• Will
• Grant of probate

Usually needs

Buying or selling property abroad

Typical documents

• Power of attorney
• Passport / ID
• Marriage certificate

Usually needs

Opening a bank account abroad

Typical documents

• Passport copy
• Proof of address
• Company documents (business accounts)

Usually needs

Pension or benefits abroad

Typical documents

• Life certificate
• Birth and marriage certificates

Usually needs

Opening a branch or company abroad

Typical documents

• Certificate of incorporation
• Articles of association
• Certificate of Good Standing
• Board resolution

Usually needs

Contracts, tenders and distributors

Typical documents

• Power of attorney
• Company extracts
• Commercial contracts

Usually needs

Exports to non-Hague countries

Typical documents

• Commercial invoices
• Certificates of origin
• Agency agreements

Usually needs

For example the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. Some documents need chamber of commerce certification first.

Trademark or patent registration abroad

Typical documents

• Power of attorney
• Company documents

Usually needs

Court cases abroad

Typical documents

• Court orders
• Affidavits
• Evidence documents

Usually needs

Foreign documents for UK use

Typical documents

• Foreign birth or marriage certificates
• Foreign licences
• Foreign court documents

Usually needs

For the Home Office, HM Passport Office, DVLA and UK courts. No apostille needed for UK use.

Government or public-sector jobs abroad

Typical documents

• Qualifications
• Police certificate
• References

Usually needs