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Document Legalisation requirements for America (UK)
Documents require Notarisation it's important to note that some UK documents may first require notarisation by a notary public before they can be accepted for an FCDO Apostille. This initial notarisation verifies the authenticity of the document before the Apostille can be issued.
Documents require Apostille FCDO Apostille: The document first needs to be legalised by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through an Apostille.
In case you have US documents that need to be notarized while in the UK, your first thought may be the US Embassy. Getting an appointment with the US Embassy Notary in London is nearly impossible and usually comes with a long wait time. The Embassy is located at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US.
Although the US Embassy notary service is the only entity that provides an “American Notary Public” in London, persistent insistence on this can clog the system.
British Notary system, on the other hand is far more efficient, readily available, and accepted throughout the UK.
The US Embassy's suggested alternative: Legalization through British System (Apostille)
As noted before, the US Embassy has a policy of suggesting alternatives to using their services under the title of “Legalisation through British system (Apostille)”. This means that the use of a British Notary Public and Apostille Certificate is required.
The UK and USA are signatories of the Hague Convention. This apprises us that any document correctly notarised in a member nation along with an Apostille Certificate issued by the relevant body of that country shall be valid in the other member countries. In other words, the Notary's signature and seal is confirmed under the Apostille.
Here, at inotarypublic.co.uk, we provide a “British Notary Solution” for the notarization of your US documents that is simple and effective.
An Apostille is a specific type of certification that is a signed and sealed notarised document. An Apostille adds value to the document because it guarantees its verification which ensures the entity receiving it meets the relevant Expectations concerning laws in the US, whether state or federal.
In the UK, the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) Apostille Office is in charge of offering Apostilles. While it is possible to apply for this yourself through the post, this also usually involves long delays. We, on the other hand, can arrange for the Apostille through the faster business counter service at the Foreign Office, saving you time and hassle.
Crucially, not every US State requires an Apostille. Our strong advice is to always seek guidance from the person or entity in the US who will be receiving the document. They are the best source of information regarding their specific requirements. If the recipient is unsure, suggest they consult their State Civil Code for guidance on notarisation of documents executed outside of the State. The State Civil Code will outline the acceptable methods for notarising a document outside of that specific State and outside of the US.
Based on our experience, the following States often require an Apostille, California, New York, Colorado, Hawaii, Delaware.
However, it's important to note that not every document going to these States will necessarily require an Apostille. Documents being lodged with a government office or public body are the most likely to require an Apostille.
