UK documents for the USA, notarised and apostilled
A US lawyer, court, bank or registry has asked for a UK document. Requirements depend on the document, the state and the recipient. We review the instructions, the Notary witnesses or certifies, and we obtain the UK FCDO apostille, for a fixed fee.
Appointed by the Court of Faculties · Regulated through The Faculty Office of The Archbishop of Canterbury · Member of The Notaries' Society of England and Wales
Not sure what your document needs? Send it to us and we reply within one hour in office hours.
The route for the USA at a glance
- UK notary, then UK FCDO apostilleThe US Embassy in London describes a UK notary or solicitor followed by a UK FCDO apostille as a route for documents to be used in the United States.
- No US Embassy stamp to assumeDo not assume the Embassy must add a stamp after the apostille. Check any state or recipient requirement instead.
- State and recipient rulesExecution, witness, filing or recording requirements vary by matter and jurisdiction.
- US-issued documents go back to the USThe FCDO cannot legalise documents issued outside the UK.
Fixed fees from £95 plus VAT per document. We confirm the route and the full fee in writing before you pay.
- Powers of attorney
- US mortgage and lender documents
- Certified copies
- Court and registry documents
- UK public records
What your document needs for the USA
- 1
Check the recipient’s instructions
Ask the US lawyer, court, bank, registry or other recipient about the document’s wording, signatures, witnesses, original or copy, and whether a UK FCDO apostille is required. Requirements vary by matter and jurisdiction.
- 2
Notarise where needed
The Notary may witness a signature or certify a copy. The US Embassy in London describes a UK notary or solicitor followed by a UK FCDO apostille as a route for documents to be used in the United States. Certain UK public records may qualify for the apostille directly.
- 3
UK FCDO apostille, where required
The FCDO checks the relevant signature, stamp or seal. An apostille does not verify the contents of the document.
- 4
Check any US or state-specific step
Do not assume the US Embassy must add a stamp after a UK FCDO apostille. Confirm any execution, witness, filing or recording requirement with the receiving organisation or its US adviser. The Embassy also offers a separate notarial appointment route.
- 5
Translation
If the recipient requires a translation, check the language, translator, certification and the order of steps.
A document issued in the United States follows a different route. US state public records generally need an apostille from the designated authority in the issuing state, while many US federal documents go through the US Department of State. UK FCDO guidance says it cannot legalise documents issued outside the UK. Ask us about the precise document before ordering.
The fee you are quoted is the fee you pay
Notarised and apostilled, per document
| Power of attorney, notarised and apostilled | £230 |
|---|---|
| Company document, notarised and apostilled | £245 |
| Court order, notarised and apostilled | £190 |
| Degree certificate or transcript, notarised and apostilledplus the university’s verification fee at cost, confirmed before you pay | £190 |
| Birth, marriage or death certificate (GRO), apostille only | £95 |
Plus VAT. Including the UK FCDO fee. Urgent or e-apostille add £30 per document. Next-day UK delivery £25 per order.
Notary appointment only
| Personal documents and powers of attorneyin person; by video from £195 | £135 |
|---|---|
| Business and property documentsin person; by video from £195 | £150 |
| Certified copy of a passport or identity documentin person or by video | £95 |
Plus VAT, per document. Out of hours, 7 days a week, from £195. Embassy or consular, translation and courier charges are quoted in writing before you proceed.
Three ways to get it done
Online by video
For signatories in England and Wales, where the act, the document and the receiving authority allow it. From £195 plus VAT.
Book a video appointment →In person, Gray’s Inn Road
Fox Court, 14 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8HN. Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, plus evenings and weekends out of hours.
Book at our office →By post, courier or by hand
Already signed, or a UK certificate that only needs an apostille? Post, courier or hand-deliver the original to us and we take it from there.
Send us your document →
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Documents for the USA
Anything else? Email team@internationalnotary.co.uk or call 020 3488 4195.
Can you notarise documents for a US mortgage or refinance?
Yes. We regularly notarise lender documents for US property loans, for £150 plus VAT per document, in person at Gray’s Inn Road or at your home or office in Central London. See our page on property and mortgage documents abroad, listed under our services.
Does every UK document for the USA need a UK FCDO apostille?
Ask the receiving organisation. The required steps depend on the document and its purpose.
Does a UK FCDO apostille need a US Embassy stamp too?
The Embassy describes UK notarisation followed by a UK FCDO apostille as a route for use in the United States. Check any separate state or recipient requirements rather than assuming another Embassy stamp is needed.
Can an American birth certificate get a UK apostille?
The FCDO says it cannot legalise documents issued outside the UK. A US state vital record generally goes to the designated authority in its issuing state.
What does a power of attorney for the USA cost?
A power of attorney, notarised and apostilled, is £230 plus VAT per document, including the FCDO fee. A Notary appointment alone, without the apostille, is £135 plus VAT in person.
Can I attend online?
Possibly, if you are in England and Wales. The Notary checks whether the act and document are suitable and whether the US state and recipient accept the format. An appointment at our Gray’s Inn Road office may be needed.
How much will it cost in total?
Notarisation and the UK FCDO apostille are fixed fees per document, set out in the table above: for example, a power of attorney notarised and apostilled is £230 plus VAT, including the FCDO fee. Any embassy or consular, translation or courier charges for the USA are quoted in writing before you proceed, so you know the full cost before you pay.
How long does it take?
Notary appointments are usually available the same day, with 2 hours’ notice. A standard UK FCDO apostille takes 3 working days, an urgent apostille 1 working day, and an e-apostille usually arrives within 24 hours.
How do I get the finished document back?
Collect it from our Gray’s Inn Road office, or choose next-day UK delivery for £25 plus VAT per order. International courier is quoted in writing. E-apostilles are emailed.
Sources and checks
Last checked: 3 November 2026. GOV.UK: Get your document legalised; US Embassy in the UK: Notarials; USAGov: Authenticate an official document; HCCH: US competent authorities; New York Department of State: Apostille or certificate of authentication. The New York page is about New York documents for use abroad, not a rule requiring a New York apostille on a UK document.
Requirements are set by the receiving organisation and the authorities in the USA. We confirm the route for your document before you pay.
Ready for the USA? Book the Notary today.
Or send us the document and the recipient’s instructions. We reply within one hour in office hours with the route and a fixed fee.