When you need a UK document legalised for use abroad, choosing the right apostille service can make a big difference to your timeline, budget and peace of mind.
At The Apostille Office, the two main options are Express Apostille Service and Premium Apostille Service. Both are designed to legalise UK documents correctly and securely, but they suit different deadlines.
The Express service is ideal when you have a little more time and want a reliable, cost-effective option. The Premium service is better suited to urgent matters where speed is the priority.
What is the Express Apostille Service?
The Express Apostille Service is designed for customers who need their documents legalised efficiently but do not require the fastest available turnaround.
This service is usually suitable for planned applications where you have enough time before your document is needed abroad.
You may choose Express apostille if you are preparing documents for:
- A visa application with no immediate deadline
- Marriage abroad planned in advance
- Overseas study or university registration
- Employment abroad with a flexible start date
- Family paperwork
- Company or business documents
- General overseas administration
The Express service is a strong option when your document is important, but you are not under urgent time pressure.
What is the Premium Apostille Service?
The Premium Apostille Service is designed for urgent document legalisation.
It is best suited to customers who need their documents processed as quickly as possible, especially where a deadline is approaching.
You may choose Premium apostille if you need documents for:
- An urgent visa appointment
- A job start date abroad
- A property transaction overseas
- A court or legal deadline
- An embassy or consular appointment
- A last-minute travel requirement
- A university or professional registration deadline
- Time-sensitive family or immigration paperwork
The Premium service is the better option when delays could cause missed appointments, travel problems or application issues.
What is the main difference between Express and Premium?
The main difference is turnaround time.
The Apostille Office currently offers:
- Express Apostille Service — 5 working days
- Premium Apostille Service — 1 working day
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 the document type and any additional services required, such as solicitor certification, notary certification, translation, embassy attestation or delivery.
Both services are handled professionally, but Premium is designed for customers who need the fastest available route.
Which service is best for your document?
The right service depends on how quickly you need the document and whether it needs preparation before apostille.
Choose Express Apostille Service if:
- You are planning ahead
- Your deadline is not immediate
- Your document is already in the correct format
- You want a cost-effective apostille option
- You have allowed time for delivery
- You do not need same-day or next-day handling
Choose Premium Apostille Service if:
- Your deadline is urgent
- You have a visa, work, legal or travel appointment soon
- You cannot risk delays
- You need the fastest processing option
- You are submitting documents to a foreign authority shortly
- You need quick guidance on document format
If your document needs certification or attestation, you should factor that into your decision as well.
Does solicitor or notary certification affect the service?
Yes. Some documents cannot go straight for apostille and must first be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public.
This can apply to:
- Passport copies
- Bank statements
- Utility bills
- Employment letters
- Employment contracts
- Academic certificates
- Medical letters
- Powers of attorney
- Company documents
- Private agreements
If certification is needed, it can affect both the cost and the total turnaround time. The Apostille Office can help confirm whether your document needs certification before apostille and arrange the correct preparation where required.
Can official certificates use either service?
Yes, many official UK certificates can usually be processed through either Express or Premium service, provided they are in acceptable condition.
This may include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
- Civil partnership certificates
- Adoption certificates
- Some court documents
- Some government-issued documents
These documents must usually be originals or official certified copies. If the certificate is laminated, damaged, altered or difficult to read, you may need to order a replacement before legalisation.
What if you also need embassy attestation?
If your document is being used in a country outside the Hague Apostille Convention, you may need embassy or consular attestation after the apostille.
This is common for countries such as:
- UAE
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Vietnam
- Thailand
Embassy attestation is separate from the apostille service and can add extra time. Even if you choose Premium apostille, the embassy stage may still take longer depending on the country and document type.
If your destination country requires attestation, it is best to start early and confirm the full process before choosing a service.
What if you need translation?
Some foreign authorities require a certified or sworn translation as well as an apostille.
This may apply to documents used for:
- Marriage abroad
- Residency applications
- Court proceedings
- University enrolment
- Professional registration
- Property transactions
- Family matters
Translation requirements vary by country and authority. In some cases, the original document must be apostilled first and then translated. In others, the translation itself may also need legalisation.
If translation is required, choose your apostille service based on the full timeline, not only the apostille stage.
Is Premium always the better choice?
Not always.
Premium is the best option when speed is important, but Express may be perfectly suitable if you are planning ahead. Many customers do not need urgent processing, especially if they are preparing documents well before a visa, wedding, study or business deadline.
Express may be the better choice if:
- Your deadline is flexible
- You want to manage costs
- You are legalising several documents
- You have already confirmed the required format
- You do not need urgent delivery
Premium is worth considering when time is more important than cost.
How to avoid choosing the wrong service
Before placing your order, check:
- When does the receiving authority need the document?
- Is your document already in the correct format?
- Does it need solicitor or notary certification?
- Do you need a paper apostille or e-Apostille?
- Does the destination country require embassy attestation?
- Is translation required?
- Do you need UK or international delivery?
- Are you legalising one document or several?
Choosing the right service at the beginning helps avoid delays, extra costs and repeated submissions.
Need help choosing between Express and Premium?
If you are unsure which apostille service is right for your document, our team can help.
We can check your document, confirm whether certification is required, advise on the correct service speed, and explain whether translation or embassy attestation may also be needed for your destination country.
Contact The Apostille Office on +44 (0) 204 630 6700 and we will help you choose the most efficient route for your document.
