If you’ve missed the 4:00 PM FCDO cut-off or realized that the standard 15–20 working day postal queue will jeopardize your visa, business deal, or travel plans, don’t panic. While the general public cannot walk into the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for same-day service, there is a “fast track” available through registered business users.
In 2026, getting a Next-Day Apostille in London is the gold standard for urgent legalisation. Here is everything you need to know to beat the clock.
The Reality: Why You Can’t Go Direct for Speed
Many individuals assume they can visit the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes or London to speed things up. However, the FCDO currently operates two distinct tiers:
- Standard Postal Service: Available to everyone but takes 2–4 weeks.
- Priority Business Service: Available only to registered agents (like Notrexon). This allows for Next-Day and, in rare cases, Same-Day turnaround.
If you have an urgent deadline, using a registered agent is not just a convenience—it is the only way to bypass the month-long postal backlog.
How the Next-Day Apostille Process Works
To guarantee your document is ready by the next business day, you must follow a strict timeline. Here is the typical workflow:
1. Document Submission (The 10:30 AM Rule)
To qualify for next-day service, your documents usually need to be at a London drop-off point or received by your agent by 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM.
- Action: Hand-deliver your documents to a central London office or use a “Pre-9 AM” special delivery courier.
2. Eligibility & Notarisation Check
Before submission, a specialist will check if your document is a “Public Document” (like a Birth Certificate) or if it requires Solicitor Certification.
- Pro Tip: If your document needs a signature from a solicitor or notary, doing this through your apostille agent is faster than finding a separate notary.
3. Submission to the FCDO
Registered agents make daily trips to the FCDO Legalisation Office. Your document is submitted in a priority batch that the general public cannot access.
4. Collection & Return
The FCDO processes the document overnight or early the next morning. Your agent collects the physically apostilled document and it is usually ready for pick-up in London by 3:30 PM the following day, or dispatched via tracked courier for morning delivery.
“Restricted Urgent” Same-Day Service: Is it Possible?
In 2026, the FCDO offers a highly restricted Same-Day Service, but it is reserved for extreme emergencies. To qualify, you must provide supporting evidence for:
- Repatriation: Urgent transport of a deceased person.
- Medical Emergencies: Critical life-saving treatment abroad.
- Animal Welfare: Time-limited transport of animals.
- Insolvency/High-Value Corporate Transactions: Where a fixed completion date cannot be met by the Next-Day service.
If your situation doesn’t fit these, the Next-Day service remains your fastest reliable option.
Common Documents That Need Urgent Apostilles
- Business: Certificates of Incorporation, Powers of Attorney, Board Resolutions.
- Personal: Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates (must be originals).
- Academic: Degree Certificates, Transcripts (require solicitor certification).
- Legal: Court Orders, Grant of Probate, Statutory Declarations.
3 Tips to Ensure You Don’t Miss the Next Deadline
- Don’t Send Photocopies: Unless a solicitor has certified them, the FCDO will reject photocopies of government documents (like Birth Certificates), forcing you to restart the process.
- Check for “Wet Ink” Signatures: The FCDO only legalises documents with recognized signatures. If your document was signed by a local official not on their database, there will be a delay while they verify the signatory.
- Book Your Slot Early: Especially during “Peak Seasons” (July-August for students and December for end-of-year business), priority slots fill up fast.
Need Your Apostille Tomorrow?
If you’ve missed the deadline and need a guaranteed turnaround, Notrexon can help. As a registered FCDO business user, we provide a seamless London-based service to ensure your documents are legalised and returned within 24 hours.
Stop the clock and get your documents sorted. Click here to get an Instant Quote or Book your Next-Day Slot
