Apostilled documents in Brighton for use in Hungary

Brighton apostille for Hungary lets the FCDO Legalisation Office add the apostille, making the document usable in Hungary.

Brighton → Hungary

Hague Members

Destination Hungary

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

Apostille guide from Brighton to Hungary

Step‑by‑step instructions for obtaining a UK apostille on a Brighton document destined for use in Hungary.

In this guide

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

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Hungary

Hungary is a party to the Hague Convention, so an apostille is the correct and sufficient certification for documents used there. The Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office issues the apostille that the Hungarian authorities recognise. Because the apostille replaces any embassy legalisation, you do not need to chase a consular stamp after the UK side has completed its work. This means the apostille for Hungary covers the whole chain of trust in a single step.

Hungary's Hague status & what it means

Hungary joined the Hague Convention in 1973, confirming that an apostille issued by a British authority is accepted without further formalities. Consequently, document legalisation for Hungary is not required; the single apostille satisfies the receiving office’s demand for proof that the record has not been altered. The Hungarian desk will check the stamp and the signature of the FCDO clerk, then accept the file as a valid public record.

The Brighton → Hungary route step by step

First, obtain a fresh certified copy of the civil record you need. The Brighton & Hove Register Office issues certified copies and works solely by post; you can order the copy to be sent to your address, keeping the original safely at the register. Next, send the certified copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office (PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX). That office affixes the apostille and returns the paper. The whole process is known as the Brighton apostille for Hungary route and does not require you to visit any counter.

Cost & timing for this route

The official fee for an apostille is set by the Legalisation Office. A standard postal request costs £45 per document, while a next‑day registered service costs £40 per document for businesses that qualify. After the office receives the paper, the typical turnaround is up to 25 working days, after which the apostilled file is mailed back to you. The fee covers the clerk’s work and the stamp, so no extra charge is needed for the Hungarian side.

Destination-specific requirements

Hungary’s receiving desk usually asks that the document be presented in Hungarian or accompanied by a sworn translation, but the apostille itself does not need translation. Knowing what you need for an apostille for Hungary helps you avoid unnecessary steps: ensure the paper you send to the FCDO is a certified copy, the name matches the original record, and the format matches the Hungarian office’s template. Once the apostille arrives, the Hungarian authority will place its own file stamp and proceed with any further local processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brighton → Hungary apostille FAQ

How does the Brighton apostille for Hungary work?

An apostille issued in Brighton certifies that your document is genuine and can be accepted in Hungary without further embassy legalisation. This means the receiving Hungarian authority can rely on the stamp as proof of authenticity. You send a certified copy of your record to the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes, where the clerk applies the apostille; the office works by post and does not have a public counter. A common mistake is trying to use the original civil record instead of a fresh certified copy, which can be lost in transit. Order a new certified copy from Brighton & Hove Register Office, then arrange for the apostille and keep the stamped copy for your Hungarian use.

Do I need a fresh certified copy of my birth, marriage or death certificate before applying for an apostille?

Yes, you should request a fresh certified copy of any civil record before the apostille is added. This protects the original held at the register office and gives you a version that can travel safely. You contact Brighton & Hove Register Office at "Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JA" and ask for a new certified copy, which they send by post. Mistaking the original for the copy often leads to loss because the register office does not release the original for mailing. Once you have the certified copy, send it to the FCDO Legalisation Office for the apostille stamp.

How long does it take to receive the apostille from the Legalisation Office?

The standard turnaround for an apostille from the FCDO Legalisation Office is a few weeks, while the next‑day service for registered businesses can be faster. In practice this means you should plan your Hungarian paperwork with a buffer period. You send your certified document by post to PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX, where the clerk checks it and affixes the apostille; the office works solely by post and does not accept walk‑ins. A frequent error is assuming the stamp will be returned the same day, which does not happen for most senders. Track your mail, wait for the stamped copy to arrive, and then include it with your Hungarian submission.

What fee applies for an apostille for a document going to Hungary?

An official fee is charged for each document that receives an apostille. For standard postal service the fee is £45 per document, and for the next‑day service offered to registered businesses the fee is £40 per document. You pay this fee when you submit your certified copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office at PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX, following the office’s payment instructions. A common slip is overlooking the fee difference and sending a standard request while expecting next‑day handling, which can delay the return. Verify the fee you need, include the correct payment, and then await the apostille‑stamped copy.

Can a document that already has an apostille be used in Hungary without extra steps?

Yes, once a document bears an apostille issued in Brighton, Hungary accepts it without any further consular legalisation. This means the Hungarian authority can rely on that single stamp as proof of authenticity. The apostille is applied by the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes and then sent back to you, ready for submission in Hungary. Some people mistakenly seek extra embassy stamps, which are unnecessary and can cause confusion. Use the apostilled document directly in your Hungarian application and keep a copy for your records.

How It Works

Four steps to your Hungary-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 Hungary 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