Apostilled documents in Brighton for use in Dominican Republic

Brighton apostille for Dominican Republic is issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office and a fresh certified copy can be ordered from the Brighton & Hove Register Office ("Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA").

Brighton → Dominican Republic

Hague Members

Destination Dominican Republic

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 18 August 2026

Complete Guide

Brighton apostille & legalisation service for documents to Dominican Republic

How to get apostilles in Brighton for documents to be used in the Dominican Republic — Hague Convention requirements and consulate rules explained.

In this guide

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic's Hague status & what it means
The Brighton → Dominican Republic route step by step

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Dominican Republic

The document legalisation for Dominican Republic follows a specific procedure set by the country's authorities. When you have a British paper that needs to be valid in that country, you need to get it certified with an official stamp. The Dominican Republic recognises the Hague Convention apostille system, which simplifies the process compared to traditional consular legalisation routes. Brighton & Hove Register Office can provide certified copies of birth, marriage or death certificates, which you can then have apostilled.

Dominican Republic's Hague status & what it means

Since joining the Hague Convention in 2009, the Dominican Republic accepts apostilled documents from other member states including the United Kingdom. This means an apostille for Dominican Republic issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office is the correct and sufficient certification for most purposes. The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal on your document, allowing it to be recognised in Dominican courts, government departments and businesses. You won't need to visit the Dominican consulate or embassy in most cases.

The Brighton → Dominican Republic route step by step

What you need for an apostille for Dominican Republic depends on your document type. For a marriage certificate, first obtain a certified copy from Brighton & Hove Register Office at Town Hall, Bartholomew Square. This copy goes to the FCDO's Legalisation Office by post, not the original—protect your only copy. The FCDO applies the apostille to verify the registrar's signature and seal.

The entire apostille from United Kingdom to Dominican Republic process is designed for postal handling. After the FCDO returns your apostilled document, it's ready for use with authorities in that country. Most people send their papers directly from Brighton to the FCDO's processing centre in Milton Keynes. The Dominican side does not require additional certification beyond the apostille for most standard documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brighton → Dominican Republic apostille FAQ

How does the Brighton apostille for Dominican Republic work?

The Dominican Republic has been a Hague Convention member since 2009, so an apostille is the only certification you need. This means the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will add a single stamp that is accepted by the Dominican authorities. You first obtain a fresh certified copy of your record from the Brighton & Hove Register Office at Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA, then forward that copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office at PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX. A common mistake is trying to send the original civil record, which can be lost and is not required for the apostille. After the apostille is placed, you can present the paper to the Dominican receiving office without any further embassy legalisation.

Which office issues the apostille for a document from Brighton?

The apostille is issued by the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, which handles all UK‑wide requests. This office adds the stamp after checking the certified copy you provide, and it does not operate a public counter in Brighton. You send the certified copy to PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX, and an official fee applies for each document. Some people mistakenly go to the Brighton & Hove Register Office expecting the stamp there, but that office only supplies certified copies. Once the fee is paid and the copy arrives, the office returns the apostilled paper by the same postal route you used.

Do I need to send the original civil record to get an apostille?

Original civil records are not needed for an apostille; a fresh certified copy is sufficient. The Brighton & Hove Register Office prepares such copies and sends them by post, so your original stays safe at the register. You request the copy by contacting the register office at Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA, and specify the record you need. A frequent error is assuming the register office also provides the apostille, which it does not. After receiving the certified copy, you forward it to the FCDO Legalisation Office for the final stamp.

How long does it take to receive the apostille for a Dominican Republic document?

The time it takes to receive an apostille depends on the postal service you choose and the workload at the Legalisation Office. If you use the standard postal route, the office usually returns the paper within a few weeks, while the next‑day registered option can be quicker. The office works by post only, so there is no in‑person pick‑up in Brighton. People often expect an immediate turnaround and become impatient, but the office requires time to verify the certified copy before stamping. Plan your schedule so that the apostilled paper arrives well before any deadline you have for the Dominican Republic authority.

How It Works

Four steps to your Dominican Republic-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 Dominican Republic 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