Apostilled documents in Brighton for use in El Salvador

Brighton apostille for El Salvador is obtained through the FCDO Legalisation Office (PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX) after securing a certified copy from the Brighton & Hove Register Office (Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA).

Brighton → El Salvador

Hague Members

Destination El Salvador

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 El Salvador guide

A clear step‑by‑step overview of obtaining an apostille in Brighton for use in El Salvador.

In this guide

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

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for El Salvador

Because El Salvador has been a party to the Hague Convention since 1996, the receiving authority accepts a Hague apostille and does not require any further embassy legalisation. This means you only need an apostille from United Kingdom to El Salvador, and the document can be presented directly to the Salvadoran office without an extra consular stamp.

El Salvador's Hague status & what it means

El Salvador’s accession to the Hague Convention in 1996 creates a single‑step route for British public records. The apostille certifies the signature, seal and capacity of the issuing authority, and that certification is automatically recognised by Salvadoran officials. Consequently, you do not have to arrange a separate document legalisation for El Salvador after the apostille is attached.

The Brighton → El Salvador route step by step

First, request a fresh certified copy of the record you need from the Brighton & Hove Register Office, located at "Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA". The office only works by post and will send you a certified copy that carries the registrar’s signature, so you never have to risk losing an original.

Next, send that certified copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office ("PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX"). The office adds the apostille, which is the only endorsement required for documents headed to El Salvador. This step fulfills what you need for an apostille for El Salvador and makes the paper ready for the final destination.

Cost & timing for this route

The Legalisation Office charges an official fee for each document; the standard postal service rate is £45 per paper, while businesses that qualify for next‑day processing pay £40 per paper. Processing times vary according to the service you choose, with the faster option typically completing within 25 working days after the office receives the file.

Destination-specific requirements

El Salvador expects the apostilled document to be presented in Spanish. If the original record is in English, you will need a sworn translation that is attached to the apostilled copy before you submit it to the Salvadoran authority. The translation must be signed in front of a court, and the court will then stamp the translation, completing the apostille for El Salvador route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brighton → El Salvador apostille FAQ

How long does the Brighton apostille for El Salvador take?

The usual time for a standard postal request is a few weeks, while the next‑day service for registered businesses is noticeably quicker. This means you can plan your deadline based on the route you choose. The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) in Milton Keynes issues the apostille and charges the official fee of £45 per document for standard mail or £40 for next‑day service. A common mistake is assuming the original record can be sent directly, when a certified copy is safer. After you receive the apostilled page you can attach it to your certified copy and proceed with the next steps.

Can I use my original birth certificate for a document in El Salvador?

For a record that will travel abroad you should order a fresh certified copy rather than sending the original. This protects the original, which stays at the Brighton & Hove Register Office, Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA. The register office prepares the copy and sends it by post, as there is no public counter to visit. Many people mistakenly think the original is required, leading to lost documents. Once you have the certified copy you can send it to the Legalisation Office for the apostille.

What does the apostille look like on my document?

The apostille appears as a separate sheet that bears the seal of the Legalisation Office and a statement confirming the authenticity of the signature, stamp or seal on the linked record. This sheet is attached to the front of the certified copy and carries the office’s reference number. The FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes issues this sheet and signs it in a clear, legible block. Some applicants think the apostille is a stamp placed directly on the record, which is not the case. After attaching the sheet you can present the whole bundle to the Salvadoran authority.

Do I need a translation of the apostilled document for El Salvador?

El Salvador requires that any foreign‑language document be accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish. The translation must be signed before a court clerk and include an oath stating its accuracy. This sworn translation is then attached to the apostilled copy before submission. A frequent oversight is using an ordinary translation without the sworn statement, which the receiving office may reject. Arrange the translation with a qualified translator and then combine it with your apostilled record.

Is an apostille sufficient for El Salvador, or is embassy legalisation also required?

El Salvador has been a party to the Hague Convention since 1996, so an apostille is the correct and sufficient certification for documents sent there. This means the embassy legalisation step is not needed for most civil records. The Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes provides the apostille that satisfies the Salvadoran receiving desk. Some people mistakenly add embassy legalisation, which adds extra cost and time without benefit. After you have the apostille you can send the complete packet to the Salvadoran authority.

How It Works

Four steps to your El Salvador-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 El Salvador 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