Apostilled documents in Belfast for use in Romania

Belfast apostille for Romania — obtain an apostille from the FCDO Legalisation Office (PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX) and order a fresh certified copy from the General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI) – Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast BT9 5RR.

Belfast → Romania

Hague Members

Destination Romania

Destination status Hague Convention member

Issued by The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)

Standard turnaround Up to 25 working days, plus postage

Information validated 21 August 2026

Complete Guide

Belfast Apostille for Romania: Complete Guide

How to get a UK document legalised with an apostille for official use in Romania, including Belfast-specific instructions and tips for getting it right first time.

In this guide

Apostille vs embassy legalisation for Romania
Getting your documents ready in Belfast
The Belfast to Romania process step by step

Apostille vs embassy legalisation for Romania

Documents from the UK that you intend to use in Romania require an apostille – a special certificate attached by the Legalisation Office. This standard stamp confirms the signature and position of the official who issued your original document. You do not need to visit a Romanian consulate afterwards because Romania has been part of the Hague Apostille Convention since 2001. This means an apostille from the UK is the only stamp you need for official recognition in Romanian courts, land registries, and other government bodies. When preparing for document legalisation for Romania, remember that the process remains straightforward regardless of whether your papers are personal records, professional qualifications, or business contracts.

The distinction between apostilles and full embassy legalisation matters because some countries outside the Convention require extra steps. Romania is not one of them. Your UK-issued document with its apostille travels straight to its final destination in Bucharest or any other Romanian city without additional stamps. This applies to all types of papers including birth certificates, marriage records, academic diplomas, company documents, and powers of attorney. The Legalisation Office handles all apostille from United Kingdom to Romania requests by post from their Milton Keynes processing centre, although they receive documents from all over the UK including Northern Ireland.

Getting your documents ready in Belfast

Belfast residents should first obtain fresh certified copies of any civil registration documents from the General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI) in Stranmillis Court. This means you can keep the original documents safe while a new official copy gets the apostille stamp. The GRONI office issues birth, marriage, and death certificates with the proper seals and signatures that the Legalisation Office recognizes. Ordering a fresh copy instead of sending your only original certificate protects you against loss or damage in the postal system. This approach gives you peace of mind throughout the process of securing an apostille for Romania.

For private papers like school reports or employment references, you may need to have them certified by a solicitor before they can receive an apostille. The Solicitor must see the original document and make a certified copy bearing their signature, professional details, and official stamp. The Legalisation Office then verifies the solicitor's credentials rather than the content of the underlying document. If you are unsure whether your particular paper needs this step, contact the receiving authority in Romania to confirm their exact specifications before starting the apostille process.

The Belfast to Romania process step by step

Begin by gathering the documents that need the apostille stamp. Official UK documents like marriage certificates or company registration papers can be processed immediately, while others might require certification first. The General Register Office for Northern Ireland stands ready to issue new official copies if you prefer not to risk posting an irreplaceable original. Once you have the correct version of each paper, send everything to the FCDO Legalisation Office by tracked post. The office works exclusively by post so there is no counter to visit, but their operation serves the whole UK including Northern Ireland.

The Legalisation Office attaches the apostille directly to your document or to a certified copy, then returns it to your Belfast address. This special stamp contains key details in a numbered register which Romanian authorities can verify online. The whole process typically takes up to 25 working days once the office receives your application, though times can vary depending on workload. If your papers are clear copies with visible signatures and stamps, they are unlikely to be rejected. The office will contact you if they spot any problems such as missing pages or unclear signatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Belfast → Romania apostille FAQ

How long does the Belfast apostille for Romania take?

The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) issues the apostille by post, so the clock starts when they receive your paper. Because the office works only through mail, the turnaround depends on postal speed and internal handling. Most applicants report that a standard postal request is returned within a few weeks, while a next‑day registered service can be faster. A common mistake is to send the original civil record instead of a fresh certified copy, which can cause a delay or loss. To keep things moving, you should include a correctly addressed envelope and the official fee, then wait for the stamped paper to arrive.

Where can I obtain a certified copy of my birth, marriage or death record in Belfast?

The General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI) supplies certified copies of civil records, and it does so solely by post. You request a fresh copy by completing the online form or writing to the office at "Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast BT9 5RR". The office then prints a new copy bearing the registrar’s signature, which the FCDO can apostille without needing the original. Many people mistakenly send the original certificate, which cannot be returned by the register. Once you receive the certified copy, you can forward it to the Legalisation Office for the next step.

What fee applies for having my document apostilled in Belfast?

The Legalisation Office charges an official fee for each paper it stamps, and two fee levels are published. A standard postal request costs £45 per document, while a next‑day registered business request is priced at £40 per document. The fee must be paid by the method accepted by the office, and the amount is shown on the invoice they issue. A frequent error is to attach an incorrect amount, which leads to the paper being returned unpaid. After the fee is settled, the office adds the apostille and sends the paper back to the address you supplied.

Does Romania require any translation of the apostilled document?

Romania accepts the apostille as proof of authenticity, but local authorities often require the text to be in Romanian. This means you should arrange a sworn translation of the stamped paper into Romanian before it is presented. The translation must be signed in front of a Romanian court or an authorized translator, and the translator then affixes their seal. Some applicants forget to have the translation done after the apostille, which can cause the document to be rejected. To avoid that, schedule the translation step once you have the apostilled copy in hand.

What is the overall route for sending a Belfast record to Romania?

First, you obtain a fresh certified copy from the General Register Office for Northern Ireland, which guarantees the record is an official copy. Second, you send that copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office at PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX, where the office affixes the apostille stamp. Third, if the Romanian receiving body asks for it, you commission a Romanian‑language translation of the apostilled copy. Fourth, you forward the final package to the Romanian authority that will use the record, such as a civil registry or court. A common oversight is to skip the translation step, assuming the apostille alone suffices, and then the Romanian office asks for the missing language version.

How It Works

Four steps to your Romania-ready apostille

No office visits, no queues. The entire process is handled remotely and you track every step in real time.

Prepare your document

Obtain the original document (or a certified copy) you need to use abroad, and check whether it must be notarised first.

Confirm the requirements

Verify the document is eligible for an apostille.

Submit to The Legalisation Office

The apostille is issued by The Legalisation Office, the competent authority. The government fee is £45 / document (standard postal); £40 / document next-day (registered businesses).

Receive your apostille

The authority attaches the apostille certificate, making the document valid abroad with no further embassy legalisation.

Where to go

Where Belfast documents are certified and apostilled

These are two different offices doing two different jobs. The local register office issues the certified copy of a Belfast birth, marriage or death record — check its current appointment rules before going. The apostille itself before use in Romania comes from the FCDO Legalisation Office, the UK's single competent authority, which accepts documents by post rather than in person.

General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI)

Certified copies of Northern Ireland civil records (birth, marriage, death)

Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast BT9 5RR

Directions →

FCDO Legalisation Office

Issues the apostille — UK-wide, by post

PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX

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Document Types