Export certificates - including Certificates of Free Sale, health certificates, conformity certificates and other trade-related documents - are regularly requested in apostilled form by overseas customs authorities, import regulators and foreign government agencies. The legalisation route depends on which body issued the certificate and what marks it carries.

Government-issued export certificates

Whether an export certificate can be submitted directly to the FCDO depends on the issuing body and the format it was issued in. If the original certificate carries a wet-ink signature from an authorised official or an official stamp from the issuing authority, it may be submitted directly to the FCDO for apostille. Many export certificates - including MHRA Certificates of Free Sale - are now issued electronically with digital signatures only, and hard copies with wet-ink signatures are no longer available. Where the certificate has been issued electronically or does not carry a wet-ink signature or stamp, it must be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before the FCDO will accept it. The solicitor's wet-ink signature and stamp are then what the FCDO authenticates.

Electronically issued certificates

Many export certificates are now issued electronically with digital signatures rather than wet-ink marks. Where the certificate does not carry a wet-ink signature or seal, it must be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before the FCDO will accept it. The solicitor's wet-ink signature and stamp are then what the FCDO authenticates. The apostille is a physical paper certificate attached to the back of the certified document.

e-Apostille for trade documents

Where the original certificate or the solicitor's certification carries a verifiable digital signature, the e-Apostille service may be available - producing a digital certificate rather than a physical paper one. This can be faster and is increasingly accepted by overseas customs and import authorities. Confirm whether the receiving authority accepts e-Apostilles before requesting one.

Embassy attestation for non-Hague markets

For export destinations that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille is the final step. For destinations outside the Convention - including the UAE, Qatar and several major trading partners in the Gulf and Asia - embassy attestation in London is required after the apostille. This adds time and should be factored into shipping and delivery timelines.

Contact us

Express and next-day apostille services are available for urgent trade document requirements. Call our team on +44 (0) 204 630 6700 and we will confirm the correct route for your export certificate and manage the full legalisation process.