Once your UK document has been apostilled, you may need it delivered overseas. This is common if you are already abroad, submitting paperwork to a foreign authority, sending documents to an overseas employer, or completing a visa, property, study or legal process in another country.

International delivery after apostille needs to be planned carefully. Apostilled documents are often original, valuable or time-sensitive, so choosing the right delivery method and checking the destination details can help avoid delays, loss or rejection.

At The Apostille Office, we can return legalised documents within the UK or arrange international delivery where required.

When might you need international delivery?

International delivery may be needed when the completed apostilled document must be used outside the UK.

This commonly applies to:

• Visa and residency applications
• Overseas employment
• Marriage abroad
• University enrolment
• Professional registration
• Property transactions
• Company registration overseas
• Court or legal matters
• Probate or inheritance cases
• Family documentation
• Embassy or consular submissions

In some cases, the document can be sent back to you. In others, it may need to be sent directly to the authority, employer, university, solicitor or agent handling the overseas process.

Should the document be sent to you or directly overseas?

Before arranging delivery, confirm who needs to receive the apostilled document.

Your options may include sending it to:

• Your UK address
• Your overseas address
• A foreign government authority
• An embassy or consulate
• An overseas employer
• A university or college
• A solicitor or lawyer abroad
• A property agent
• A business partner
• A family member

If the receiving authority has specific submission rules, check whether they will accept documents sent by courier from a third party. Some authorities may require the applicant to submit the document personally, while others accept direct delivery.

Check the full delivery address carefully

International deliveries can be delayed or returned if the address is incomplete or formatted incorrectly.

Before dispatch, check:

• Recipient’s full name
• Organisation name, if applicable
• Building name or number
• Street address
• City or town
• Region, province or state
• Postal or ZIP code
• Country
• Local phone number
• Email address, if needed for courier updates
• Any delivery instructions

A phone number is especially important for international courier deliveries, as local couriers may need to contact the recipient before final delivery.

Use secure tracked delivery

Apostilled documents are often difficult or expensive to replace, so secure delivery is important.

For international delivery, it is best to use:

• Tracked courier service
• Signed-for delivery where available
• A reliable international carrier
• Strong document packaging
• Delivery confirmation
• Insurance where appropriate

Avoid sending valuable original documents by untracked standard post. If a document is lost, you may need to order a replacement, repeat certification, apply for a new apostille and possibly miss your deadline.

Allow time for international delivery

Even after the apostille is completed, international shipping can take time.

Delivery times may vary depending on:

• Destination country
• Courier service
• Customs checks
• Local holidays
• Local courier networks
• Remote delivery areas
• Incorrect or incomplete address details
• Weather or transport disruption

If you have a visa appointment, university deadline, court date or property completion date, allow extra time for delivery as well as apostille processing.

Consider customs and document descriptions

Although apostilled documents are paperwork rather than goods for sale, international courier shipments may still require customs information.

When documents are sent overseas, the courier may need:

• A description of the contents
• Declared value
• Recipient contact details
• Sender details
• Reason for shipment

The description should be clear and simple, such as “legal documents” or “personal documents”. Avoid descriptions that could cause confusion or suggest commercial goods if the package only contains documents.

Should you send originals overseas?

Sometimes original documents must be sent overseas because the receiving authority requires the physical document with a paper apostille.

This may apply to:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Death certificates
• Police certificates
• Court documents
• Powers of attorney
• Degree certificates
• Company documents
• Property documents

However, if the authority accepts a certified copy or e-Apostille, you may not need to send the original abroad.

Before sending valuable originals internationally, check:

• Is the original required?
• Will a certified copy be accepted?
• Is an e-Apostille accepted?
• Does the authority need a paper apostille?
• Can the document be returned safely after use?

Paper apostille or e-Apostille for overseas delivery?

A paper apostille usually needs physical delivery because it is attached to the document.

An e-Apostille may be useful where the receiving authority accepts digital documents. In that case, the apostilled document may be sent electronically rather than by courier.

An e-Apostille may help avoid:

• International postage delays
• Courier costs
• Risk of physical loss
• Customs issues
• Waiting for hard-copy delivery

However, not every document is eligible for e-Apostille, and not every overseas authority accepts digital apostilles. Many authorities still require paper apostilles for immigration, marriage, police certificates, civil certificates and legal matters.

What if embassy attestation is required first?

If the document is being used in a country outside the Hague Apostille Convention, it may need embassy or consular attestation after the apostille and before international delivery.

This is common for destinations such as:

• UAE
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• Vietnam
• Thailand
• Some other non-Hague countries

In these cases, do not send the document overseas immediately after apostille unless you are sure no further UK-based attestation is required. Once the document leaves the UK, returning it for embassy attestation can cause delays and additional courier costs.

What if the document needs translation?

Some countries require a certified or sworn translation before the document can be accepted.

Depending on the authority, translation may be needed:

• Before apostille
• After apostille
• After embassy attestation
• On both the original document and the apostille
• With separate certification or legalisation

Translation requirements vary by country and purpose. If a translation is required, confirm whether it should be completed in the UK or in the destination country before arranging delivery.

Sending documents directly to a foreign authority

If you are asking for the apostilled document to be sent directly to a foreign authority, confirm their delivery rules first.

Check whether they require:

• A specific courier
• A reference number on the package
• Applicant name on the envelope
• A cover letter
• Appointment details
• Sealed envelope
• Documents arranged in a specific order
• Delivery to a named department
• Signature on receipt

If these details are missing, the document may arrive but not be matched to your application.

Keep copies and tracking details

Before international delivery, keep a record of the completed document and shipment.

You should keep:

• A scan or photo of the apostilled document
• Courier tracking number
• Courier receipt
• Delivery address used
• Recipient contact details
• Date of dispatch
• Expected delivery date
• Proof of delivery
• Any customs or shipment reference

These records are useful if the receiving authority asks for confirmation or if the courier needs to investigate a delay.

International delivery checklist

Before sending an apostilled document overseas, check:

• Is apostille the final required step?
• Is embassy attestation also needed?
• Is translation required before delivery?
• Does the authority need the original or a certified copy?
• Is an e-Apostille acceptable?
• Is the destination address complete?
• Is a local phone number included?
• Is tracked courier delivery being used?
• Are copies and tracking details saved?
• Is there enough time before the deadline?

This helps ensure the document reaches the right place in the right format.

Need help arranging delivery after apostille?

If you need your apostilled document sent overseas, our team can help you choose the safest and most suitable delivery route.

We can check whether the document needs any additional steps before dispatch, such as embassy attestation or translation, and arrange secure return delivery to the UK or abroad.

Contact The Apostille Office on +44 (0) 204 630 6700 and we will help you manage apostille legalisation and international delivery.