Which UK Documents Qualify for E-Apostille?
One of the most common reasons an e-Apostille application gets rejected isn't the notarisation or the electronic signature — it's simply that the document type wasn't eligible for the digital route in the first place. The FCDO's e-Apostille service is still expanding, and not every category of UK document currently qualifies.
At Staple Inn Notaries, checking eligibility is one of the first things we do before accepting an e-Apostille instruction — it's a five-minute check that can save you days of delay. Here's what typically qualifies, what doesn't, and what to do if your document falls into a grey area.
Documents That Typically Qualify
Documents that have been electronically notarised or certified by a UK Notary Public using a Qualified Electronic Signature are generally the strongest candidates for e-Apostille. This commonly includes:
Powers of attorney prepared and executed for use abroad
Company and corporate documents — certificates of incorporation, board resolutions, articles of association, and similar constitutional documents
Commercial contracts and agreements requiring notarisation for overseas use
Affidavits and statutory declarations sworn before a Notary Public
Academic and professional certified copies notarised for use abroad
The common thread is that these are private documents which our Notary can certify electronically from the outset — meaning the entire chain, from signature to FCDO submission, can stay digital.
Documents That Typically Don't Qualify
Certain categories of official government-issued records are generally excluded from the e-Apostille service at present, including:
Vital records issued by the General Register Office (GRO) — birth, marriage, and death certificates
Criminal record certificates issued by ACRO or the DBS
These are government-held original records rather than documents we notarise directly, and the relevant issuing bodies have not yet been brought into the e-Apostille framework. If you need one of these documents apostilled, the traditional paper apostille route is currently the correct one.
What If You're Not Sure?
The safest approach is to send us details of your document before you order. We'll tell you:
Whether your document type is currently eligible for e-Apostille
Whether your destination country or receiving institution is likely to accept a digital apostille
Which service — e-Apostille or standard paper apostille — will get you a valid result fastest
If e-Apostille isn't right for your document, we move you straight onto our standard apostille service, so you're not left waiting or having to start again with a different provider.
Why Getting This Right the First Time Matters
An apostille application submitted through the wrong route, or on an ineligible document, is simply rejected by the FCDO — costing you the processing time already spent, and in some cases the fee. Checking eligibility upfront, before submission, is a core part of the service we provide, not an optional extra.
Our Fees
£95 plus VAT — Standard service, 3 working days
£125 plus VAT — Urgent service, 1 working day
Both prices include the FCDO's own apostille fee. This is separate from our notarial fee, which applies only if your document needs notarising before it's eligible for apostille.
Order Online
👉 Order your apostille or e-Apostille here: https://www.internationalnotary.co.uk/product-page/e-apostille-and-electronic-certification
Unsure whether your document qualifies? Contact us before ordering and we'll confirm eligibility first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a birth or marriage certificate get an e-Apostille?Not currently. Vital records issued by the General Register Office are generally excluded from the e-Apostille service and require the traditional paper apostille route instead.
Can company documents be e-Apostilled?Yes, in most cases. Certificates of incorporation, board resolutions, and similar corporate documents notarised electronically by our Notary are typically strong candidates for e-Apostille.
What happens if my document isn't eligible for e-Apostille?We move you onto our standard paper apostille service instead, so there's no need to find another provider or start the process again.
Who decides whether a document is eligible for e-Apostille?Eligibility is set by the FCDO, based on document type and whether it's been electronically certified correctly. We check this against current FCDO practice before accepting your instruction.
Contact Us
Staple Inn Notaries
Fox Court, Gray's Inn Road, Holborn, London
📞 020 3488 4195
About the Author
Sheikh Najam LLB TEP MA MBA is a Notary Public for England and Wales and CEO of Staple Inn Notaries, based in Central London. He is also a European Attorney and a STEP-qualified International Private Wealth Lawyer, and serves as Vice President for Notarial Affairs and an Advisory Board Member at Justinian Lawyers, the Berlin-headquartered international legal network of the Association of European Attorneys. Appointed by the Court of Faculties under Royal Authority and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sheikh Najam advises on cross-border corporate, property, and private client matters across common law, civil law, and international jurisdictions.
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