Passport Copy Apostille in Leicester

Passport Copy apostille in Leicester — processed by the FCDO Legalisation Office for international use.

Passport Copy Apostille

Hague Member

Document type Passport Copy

Competent authority The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)

Standard turnaround Up to 25 working days, plus postage

Express turnaround Next working day (registered businesses only)

Information validated 18 August 2026

Complete Guide

Leicester Apostille for a Passport Copy: Complete Guide

How to get an apostille for a copy of your passport in Leicester, including certification steps, fees and common uses abroad.

In this guide

Apostilling a Passport Copy from Leicester
Issuing body & pre-requisites
Cost & turnaround
Common uses abroad
Translation considerations

Apostilling a Passport Copy from Leicester

To begin the process for an apostille in the United Kingdom, you need a properly prepared copy of your passport. The clerk or solicitor must certify the copy as genuine, which involves them seeing your original passport and stamping the duplicate with their seal. Once certified, this copy can then be sent to the Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) for the apostille itself. The office handles all such requests by post and there is no public counter to visit in Leicester or elsewhere.

Issuing body & pre-requisites

The key step to legalise a Passport Copy in Leicester is securing a properly certified copy before it goes to the Legalisation Office. A local solicitor or notary public can certify your passport copy by checking it against the original and adding their stamp and signature. This certification assures authorities that the copy matches the original document exactly. The Legalisation Office will not process uncertified copies for an apostille, so getting this stamp right is crucial for the next stage.

Cost & turnaround

There is an official fee for the apostille cost for a Passport Copy in Leicester set by the FCDO Legalisation Office. The amount you pay depends on the service speed you select, with standard postal service often being the most economical choice. Processing times may vary based on the method used, but the office offers both standard and next-day options for registered businesses. There is no premium counter service available for faster collection, as all work happens through the post.

Common uses abroad

Apostilled passport copies serve as proof of identity for various international procedures when you cannot submit the original. Examples include opening a bank account overseas or proving identity for property or business matters. The process to apostille a Passport Copy stays the same regardless of where in the world the document will be used, because the UK has been part of the Hague Convention since 1965. Countries that are members of the convention accept UK-issued apostilles without further legalisation steps.

Translation considerations

When you submit your passport copy for apostille, consider that foreign authorities may require a translated version alongside the original. How to apostille a Passport Copy that contains foreign text may involve extra steps, such as finding a qualified translator to prepare a version in the required language. Some countries might ask for the translator's credentials to accompany the work, while others prefer the translation completed after the apostille is in place. The exact requirements vary by destination, so understanding these before starting saves time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Passport Copy apostille FAQ

What is the process for a passport copy apostille in Leicester?

First, you obtain a certified copy of your passport from a UK solicitor or professional who can verify your identity. Then send this copy by post to The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) to receive the apostille stamp. The FCDO's Milton Keynes office handle all UK-wide apostille requests through their post service rather than a public counter. Common pitfalls include sending an uncertified photocopy rather than a properly signed and dated certificate, which will be returned unprocessed. The certified copy shows your details clearly alongside the authority's signature confirming it matches the original document they examined.

Can I get my passport copy certified at Leicester Registration Service?

No, the Leicester Registration Service only handles civil records such as birth, marriage and death certificates from their office at 115 Charles Street. Passport copies must be certified by a UK solicitor, notary public or commissioner for oaths who can confirm your identity by sighting the original. This separate step must happen before your copy moves to the apostille stage at the FCDO Legalisation Office. The certifying party should write their name, signature, qualification and the date directly on your photocopy. Without this clear chain of verification, the FCDO will not apply an apostille to your document for use overseas.

How long does it take to get my certified passport copy apostilled?

After posting to the FCDO Legalisation Office, standard processing currently takes up to three weeks, though this period may extend during busier times. Registered businesses using the next-day service receive their apostilled documents back sooner, though postal times still apply in each direction. Delays can occur if the office needs to confirm the signatory on your document or if your application requires additional evidence. Many applicants allow a full month from posting to return to avoid stress as this accounts both for the FCDO's timetable and secure postage. The status checker on the FCDO site updates twice daily once they begin working on your case.

What happens after the apostille is placed on my passport copy?

The FCDO Legalisation Office attaches an official paper certificate to your certified copy, which includes a unique reference number and their embossed seal. This completed apostille formally verifies the signature and seal of your certifying officer for international recognition. For countries outside the Hague Convention, further legalisation through the relevant embassy may still be required before your document becomes valid. Keep the apostilled copy in its protective cover rather than removing any staples or paperclips which help prove its authenticity. The combined document package then serves as proof of identity for official procedures abroad like visa applications or overseas employment checks.

Can I use my apostilled passport copy for multiple countries?

Yes, once apostilled through the FCDO, your passport copy is valid for use in any country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. The apostille certificate itself is a standardised international design that requires no further stamps for member nations. Some authorities may request additional information beyond the apostille such as a sworn translation into their local language if you are presenting non-English documents. Always check specific requirements with your receiving institution well in advance of any deadlines to account for varying regional preferences or supplementary steps. The original apostilled copy can be photocopied for multiple applications once it returns to you.

How It Works

Four steps to your passport copy apostille

No office visits. We handle your Leicester passport copy remotely with real-time tracking.

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 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