When preparing UK documents for use abroad, one of the first questions people ask is: how much does an apostille cost?
The answer depends on the type of document, how quickly you need it legalised, and whether the document needs any preparation before it can be submitted for apostille. Some documents can be processed as they are, while others must first be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public.
At The Apostille Office, pricing starts from £69 for the Express apostille-only service and from £79 for the Premium apostille-only service. The final cost may vary depending on your document type and any additional services you require, such as certification, translation, embassy attestation or secure delivery.
How much does an apostille cost with The Apostille Office?
Our apostille services are designed to give you clear options depending on your deadline and the format of your document.
The Express Apostille Service starts from £69 per document and is suitable when you need your document legalised efficiently, but do not require the fastest available turnaround.
The Premium Apostille Service starts from £79 per document and is designed for more urgent cases where faster processing is required.
If your document needs solicitor or notary certification before it can be apostilled, the price may be higher. Many document categories on our website are priced between £69 and £94, depending on the service speed and whether certification is required.
Why do some documents cost more to apostille?
Not every UK document is ready for apostille straight away.
Official documents such as many UK birth, marriage and death certificates can often be submitted in their original format or as official certified copies. These documents may not need solicitor certification first.
However, private or unofficial documents usually need to be certified before legalisation. This can apply to documents such as:
- Employment contracts
- Employer letters
- Bank statements
- Passport copies
- Academic certificates
- Medical letters
- Powers of attorney
- Some company documents
Certification confirms that the document or signature is suitable for submission. If this step is required, it adds to the total cost because the document needs to be checked and certified before the apostille can be obtained.
Express or Premium apostille service?
The right service depends on your deadline.
The Express Apostille Service is a good option if your document is important but not extremely urgent. It offers a reliable route for getting your document legalised without paying for the fastest service.
The Premium Apostille Service is better suited to time-sensitive matters, such as:
- Visa applications
- Overseas employment deadlines
- Property transactions
- Travel dates
- Urgent legal requirements
- University or professional registration deadlines
If you are unsure which service to choose, check your deadline first and allow time for any additional steps, such as solicitor certification, embassy attestation or delivery.
What additional costs should you consider?
The apostille service price is not always the only cost involved. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need:
- Solicitor or notary certification
- Certified or sworn translation
- Embassy or consular attestation
- Replacement certificates
- Secure UK or international delivery
- Additional copies or multiple apostilles
For example, if you are legalising a UK degree certificate for employment abroad, the document may need solicitor or notary certification before the apostille is issued. If the destination country is outside the Hague Apostille Convention, embassy attestation may also be required after the apostille.
If you are legalising a birth, marriage or death certificate, you may need to order a replacement certificate first if your current copy is damaged, laminated, altered or not accepted.
Paper apostille or e-Apostille?
In some cases, you may be able to use an e-Apostille. This is a digital apostille attached electronically to an eligible document.
However, not every document is suitable for an e-Apostille, and not every foreign authority will accept one. Many overseas authorities still request a paper apostille attached to a physical document, especially for:
- Immigration applications
- Marriage abroad
- Property transactions
- Employment documents
- Court or legal matters
- Family documents
Before choosing the digital route, always check what the receiving authority will accept. Choosing the wrong format can cause delays and may mean you have to repeat the process.
Do you need embassy attestation as well?
For countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is usually the final authentication step on the UK side.
For countries outside the Convention, your document may also need embassy or consular attestation after the apostille has been issued. This is common for destinations such as:
- UAE
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Some other non-Hague countries
Embassy attestation is a separate process with its own fees and timescales. The exact cost depends on the destination country, document type and purpose of use.
How to avoid paying twice
The most common reason people pay more than expected is that the document is submitted in the wrong format.
Before starting the process, check:
- Whether the receiving authority needs the original or a certified copy
- Whether solicitor or notary certification is required
- Whether a paper apostille or e-Apostille is accepted
- Whether a translation is needed
- Whether embassy attestation is required after the apostille
- Whether your document is damaged, laminated or outdated
Getting these details right from the start helps avoid rejection, repeated fees and missed deadlines.
Need help confirming the cost?
If you are unsure which service you need, our team can check your document and confirm the correct process before you begin.
We can advise whether your document needs solicitor or notary certification, whether Express or Premium apostille service is most suitable, and whether embassy attestation or translation is required for your destination country.
Contact The Apostille Office on +44 (0) 204 630 6700 and we will guide you through the most efficient route for your document.
