Apostilled documents in Brighton for use in Colombia

Brighton apostille for Colombia: obtain a fresh certified copy from Brighton & Hove Register Office, then have it apostilled by the FCDO Legalisation Office, which charges an official fee and processes requests by post.

Brighton → Colombia

Hague Members

Destination Colombia

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 20 August 2026

Complete Guide

Brighton Apostille for Colombia: Required Steps & Preparation

How to prepare UK documents in Brighton for use in Colombia through apostille certification at the FCDO Legalisation Office.

In this guide

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Colombia
Colombia's Hague status & what it means
The Brighton → Colombia route step by step
Cost & timing for this route
Destination-specific requirements

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Colombia

Documents certified in Brighton for use in Colombia go through a simplified process because Colombia joined the Hague Convention. This means you do not need consular legalisation at the Colombian embassy after the apostille is issued. The single step of getting an apostille for Colombia is all that is required for public and private papers alike. This rule applies to all British documents from Brighton, such as birth certificates and degrees, that need recognition by Colombian authorities. The office that handles this step is the Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes, which serves the whole UK by post.

Colombia's Hague status & what it means

Since becoming a party to the Hague Convention, Colombia accepts apostilles as valid proof of a documentâ€™s authenticity. There is no need to contact the Colombian consulate to have your papers stamped again once you hold an apostille issued in Brighton for use in Colombia. The apostille certificate itself is all the confirmation a Colombian authority will ask for. This rule holds for all documents that come from an official UK source, whether it is a court paper or a police clearance. The system saves both time and effort compared to the old method of double notarisation.

The Brighton → Colombia route step by step

If your document is an original civil record like a birth, marriage, or death certificate from Brighton & Hove Register Office, order a fresh certified copy to send off. The office at Bartholomew Square can provide this copy on security paper, which you then submit to the Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes by post. For an apostille from United Kingdom to Colombia, you fill in the cover form detailing your document and pay the government fee. The FCDO attaches the apostille to your paper and sends it back to you. You then use it directly with the Colombian authority that requested it, with no further steps.

Cost & timing for this route

An official fee applies for each document you need certified with an apostille. Processing times vary and depend on the current workload at the Legalisation Office, but faster services are available for an extra cost. The basic service usually takes a week or two once the office receives your package. Always account for postage time both ways when planning your schedule. The total time from sending your papers to receiving them back is typically a few weeks, though delays can happen during peak periods.

Destination-specific requirements

When planning document legalisation for Colombia, remember that all public documents must be in Spanish or include a certified translation. The apostille for Colombia validates the signature and seal of the UK official who signed your paper, not the content itself. Private business papers might need a separate certificate of origin if they lack an official UK signature. Make copies of everything before you send it off, including the cover sheet from the FCDO Legalisation Office. This way, you will know what you need for an apostille for Colombia if something gets lost in transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brighton → Colombia apostille FAQ

How long does the Brighton apostille for Colombia take?

The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) handles the apostille by post, so you should allow up to 25 working days for the office to apply the stamp. In practice this means you send the certified copy and the office returns it with the apostille attached. The standard fee is £45 per document, while registered businesses can pay £40 for next‑day service. A common mistake is to forward the original civil record, which can be lost; instead you should order a fresh certified copy from the Brighton & Hove Register Office. After you receive the apostilled paper you can forward it to the Colombian authority that will accept it.

Do I need a fresh certified copy of my civil record before obtaining an apostille for use in Colombia?

Yes, the apostille is applied to a certified copy rather than the original civil record. This protects the original, which stays at the Brighton & Hove Register Office located at Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA. You request the copy, pay the local fee, and receive a paper that already bears the register’s signature. A common slip is to think the original can be sent to the FCDO, which could lead to loss; always use the fresh copy. Once you have the certified copy you send it to the Legalisation Office for the apostille stamp.

What fees are involved when I get an apostille for a document that will be used in Colombia?

The Legalisation Office charges an official fee per document, which is £45 for the standard postal route. If you are a registered business you may opt for the next‑day option at £40 per document. The fee covers the cost of the apostille stamp and the handling of your paper by the office. Some people forget to include the fee when they prepare their request, which can delay the return of the stamped copy. Include the correct payment with your request and you will receive the apostilled paper ready for Colombian use.

Can the apostille issued in Brighton be used for countries other than Colombia?

The apostille is a Hague Convention certificate, so it is recognized by every country that is a party to the convention. Colombia joined the Hague Convention in 2001, making the apostille sufficient there. Other nations may also accept the same stamp, but each destination can have its own extra steps, such as translation or local endorsement. Assuming the same document works everywhere can cause setbacks if a particular country demands a separate embassy legalisation. Verify the specific pathway for any other country before you rely on the Brighton apostille alone.

After I receive the apostille, are there any language or translation requirements for Colombian authorities?

Colombian officials typically require documents to be presented in Spanish, so a translation may be needed after the apostille is attached. The apostille itself remains in English and is understood as proof of authenticity, but the accompanying text must be understandable to the Colombian office. A common oversight is to send only the English version, which can lead to a request for a sworn translation. You should arrange for a qualified translator to produce a Spanish version and, if required, have the translator sign an oath before a court. Once you have the translated file and the apostilled original, you can submit the complete package to the Colombian authority.

How It Works

Four steps to your Colombia-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 Brighton documents are certified and apostilled

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

Brighton & Hove Register Office

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

Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA

Directions →

FCDO Legalisation Office

Issues the apostille — UK-wide, by post

PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX

Directions →

Document Types