Apostille vs. Embassy Legalisation for Guinea-Bissau
Documents from Brighton meant for official use in Guinea-Bissau follow a different path than an apostille. While the UK issues apostilles for many countries, an apostille issued in Brighton for use in Guinea-Bissau is not accepted there. Instead, you must complete consular legalisation through Guinea-Bissau's diplomatic mission in the UK. This means every document goes through more extensive checks at their embassy in London.
Understanding the Legal Framework
Guinea-Bissau's relationship with the Hague Convention shapes how you must legalise papers. The country has not joined the treaty, so an apostille from United Kingdom to Guinea-Bissau carries no legal weight there. Your marriage certificate or other civil record must go through the Legalisation Office first for attestation, then through the Guinea-Bissau embassy for final stamps. Embassy staff verify the document before applying their seal.
The Complete Document Journey from Brighton to Bissau
Start with the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office by sending copies of your papers to their Milton Keynes address. Once they return them with their stamp, the file is ready for the second stage. At this point the paperwork requires document legalisation for Guinea-Bissau, arranged at their London embassy. Each office has specific opening hours and may need time to review the work.
Fees and Processing Times
The standard service at the Legalisation Office costs an official fee per document, with an expedited option for business customers. You pay this by postal order or direct transfer when you send the file to their Milton Keynes address. The embassy in London charges its own separate fees for their checks and stamps. We help coordinate both payments and handling.
What You Need for Legalisation to Guinea-Bissau
Your birth certificate, marriage licence or police check must be current and complete. There is nothing you need for an apostille for Guinea-Bissau, because the country does not accept that certification at all. The embassy may request a translation into Portuguese since it is the official language there. Always start by getting a fresh copy from Brighton & Hove Register Office at their Town Hall location if you need to protect the original.