Apostilled documents in Leicester for use in Colombia

Leicester apostille for Colombia: legalise UK documents recognised in Colombia under the 2001 Hague Convention through the nearest government office.

Leicester → 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 19 August 2026

Complete Guide

Leicester Apostille Colombia - Document Legalisation Service

How to get an apostille from Leicester for use in Colombia – the complete guide to document legalisation between the United Kingdom and Colombia.

In this guide

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Colombia
Colombia's Hague status & what it means
The Leicester → Colombia route step by step

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Colombia

If you need to use official British papers in Colombia, you must confirm their authenticity for them to be accepted. The apostille for Colombia is the correct certificate for this. It is a standardised stamp that makes your document legally valid for use there. Various authorities in the United Kingdom can issue one, depending on the type of paper you have. This process is simpler and quicker than the old embassy legalisation method.

Colombia's Hague status & what it means

Colombia joined the Hague Convention in 2001. This membership simplifies the process of document legalisation for Colombia. When a country signs the Convention, it agrees to recognise an apostille from other member states. For you, this means a single authentication step instead of multiple approvals through embassies. The aim is to reduce paperwork and speed up international document exchange.

The Leicester → Colombia route step by step

Start by getting a fresh certified copy of your original document from Leicester Registration Service at 115 Charles Street. Using a copy protects your valuable original if something goes wrong in the post. Next, send this copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes. The office will check the signature and add the apostille from United Kingdom to Colombia. Finally, get documents translated if needed before they go to Colombian officials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Leicester → Colombia apostille FAQ

What is the Leicester apostille for Colombia process for my birth certificate?

Your birth certificate route begins at Leicester Registration Service on Charles Street. They will prepare a fresh certified copy for you, so your original remains safe. This new copy has a wet signature that the The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) can endorse. The register office charges for this service at their standard rate. Leave the certified copy with us to start the apostille at the Milton Keynes address, knowing your original is not at risk.

Does Colombia accept apostilles from the UK?

Yes, Colombia has fully recognised the UK-issued apostille since joining the Hague Convention in 2001. You do not need to visit any embassy or complete extra steps after the apostille is stamped. The receiving office in Colombia will confirm your paper is real by checking the apostille's serial number in the FCDO's online database. Make sure any Spanish translation required by the destination services the formal language rules in Colombia, not just general Spanish. All Hague Convention stamps from the UK carry equal weight across Colombia.

Where does my paper go for stamping?

The The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) in Milton Keynes handles all apostille requests from Leicester by postal applications. There is no counter service in Leicester itself — all papers are sent to the national processing centre by post. Once it arrives in Milton Keynes, the stamp is usually ready within two working days for business customers. A staff member checks the signature against their register and places the apostille on your document. All orders come back to you by tracked post to show the chain of custody.

Can I handle this without sending my original certificate?

Yes, the secure way is to use Leicester Registration Service to issue a fresh certified copy of your civil record. This copy, made for purpose, is the only paper that needs to travel. The register office at 115 Charles Street guarantees their duplicate has the full legal standing of the original. Many users choose this path to protect their only family records from postal loss. The replacement then becomes your working copy for the apostille and any later steps.

Will Colombia need a translation after the apostille?

Most Colombian authorities require Spanish translations of any non-Spanish documents. The key rule is that the translation must be done after the apostille attests the paper. Some offices insist on accredited translators with recognition from the Colombian consulate, while smaller towns often accept simpler local translations. The receiving body will specify if they need a formal translation with judicial oath. Keep all papers bound in the correct order to avoid the high fees for re-checks of mixed bundles at arrival.

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 Leicester documents are certified and apostilled

These are two different offices doing two different jobs. The local register office issues the certified copy of a Leicester 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.

Leicester Registration Service

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

115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ

Directions →

FCDO Legalisation Office

Issues the apostille — UK-wide, by post

PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX

Directions →

Document Types