How to Apply for a UK e-Apostille: A Step-by-Step 2026 Guide

In an increasingly digital world, the need for physical paperwork is rapidly diminishing. Whether you are expanding your business overseas, applying for a foreign visa, or handling international legal matters, the traditional method of posting original documents for legalisation can be slow and cumbersome.

The UK e-Apostille—introduced by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)—offers a modern, faster, and more secure alternative. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough on how to obtain an e-Apostille in 2026, helping you navigate the digital legalisation landscape with ease.

What is a UK e-Apostille?

An e-Apostille is an electronic version of the traditional paper apostille certificate. It serves the exact same purpose: it verifies that the signature, stamp, or seal on a UK public document is genuine so that it can be accepted by authorities in other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Unlike the paper version, which is physically embossed and glued to your document, the e-Apostille is a secure PDF file containing a digital signature from the FCDO.

Key Benefits of the e-Apostille in 2026:

• Speed: While paper applications can take weeks, e-Apostilles are typically processed within 24 to 48 hours.
• Cost-Effective: At £35 per document (government fee), it is cheaper than the standard paper-based service (£45). Plus, you save on courier and postage costs.
• Security: Digital signatures and encryption make the document tamper-proof and easy to verify online.
• Convenience: The entire process—from notarisation to receiving the final document—is handled online.

Step 1: Check Document Eligibility

The first and most crucial step is determining if your document is eligible for an e-Apostille. As of 2026, the FCDO only issues e-Apostilles for specific types of documents that can be digitally verified.

Eligible Documents (Usually Require Digital Notarisation):

• Academic Documents: University degrees, transcripts, and PGCE certificates.
• Business Documents: Certificates of Incorporation, Articles of Association, and HMRC letters.
• Legal Documents: Powers of Attorney, Affidavits, and Contracts.
• Personal Documents: Change of name deeds, copies of passports, or driving licenses.

Ineligible Documents (Must use Paper Apostille):

• General Register Office (GRO) Documents: Original birth, marriage, death, or adoption certificates.
• Police Certificates: ACRO or DBS certificates.
• Fingerprint Documents: Any document requiring a physical ink signature that hasn’t been digitally certified.

Step 2: Professional Digital Notarisation

You cannot simply scan a document and upload it yourself. The FCDO requires that every document for an e-Apostille be digitally signed by a UK solicitor or notary public using a “Qualified Electronic Signature” (QES).

This is where specialized services come in. A digital notary will:

1. Verify the Original: Check the authenticity of your document (e.g., contacting the university for a degree).
2. Create a Digital Certified Copy: Convert the document into a PDF.
3. Apply a Secure Digital Seal: The notary applies their FCDO-registered digital signature to the PDF.

Step 3: Start Your Online Application

Once your document has been digitally notarised, you can proceed to the official GOV.UK legalisation service.

1. Choose the e-Apostille Service: Select the electronic option instead of the paper-based postal service.
2. Upload Your Files: You will be prompted to upload the PDF(s) that were digitally signed by your solicitor or notary. Ensure the file size does not exceed the limit (usually 5MB to 35MB depending on the portal).
3. Pay the Fee: The cost is £35 per document. You can pay securely using a credit or debit card.

Step 4: Processing and Issuance

After submission, the FCDO Legalisation Office will review the digital signature on your document.

• Timeline: Most e-Apostilles are issued within 1 to 2 working days.
• Notification: You will receive an email once your document is ready.

Step 5: Receive and Share Your e-Apostille

Once processed, you will be sent a link to download a secure PDF. This PDF contains:

• Your original document (or the certified copy).
• The Digital Solicitor/Notary Certification.
• The official FCDO e-Apostille Certificate.

Important Note: You should share the original PDF file with the recipient (e.g., an employer or foreign government). Do not print it out. A printed e-Apostille loses its digital “integrity” and may not be accepted, as the digital signature can only be verified within the electronic file.

Step 6: Verify Acceptance in the Destination Country

While over 125 countries are part of the Hague Convention, not all of them have updated their systems to accept electronic apostilles yet.

Before you apply, always check with the person or organization requesting the document to ensure they will accept a digital PDF version. If they insist on a physical “wet ink” stamp, you must use the traditional paper-based apostille service.