Commercial Contract / Agreement Apostille in London

Commercial contract apostille in London — issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office for international use under the Hague Convention.

Commercial Contract / Agreement Apostille

Hague Member

Document type Commercial Contract / Agreement

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 21 August 2026

Complete Guide

London Apostille for Commercial Contract / Agreement

How to get an apostille stamp for a commercial contract or agreement in London, including the FCDO Legalisation Office's process, costs and delivery times.

In this guide

Apostilling a Commercial Contract / Agreement from London
Issuing Body & Requirements for Commercial Contracts
Cost and Processing Details
Translation and International Acceptance
Ensuring Smooth Document Processing

Apostilling a Commercial Contract / Agreement from London

To legalise a commercial contract signed in London for international use, you must obtain a special certificate called an apostille. This official stamp verifies the signatures on your agreement to foreign governments and businesses. Many organisations need to prove their commercial terms abroad, whether establishing a branch overseas or supplying services across borders. The FCDO Legalisation Office, based in Milton Keynes, handles every apostille a commercial contract in United Kingdom requires, processing tens of thousands each year for all types of trade documents.

Issuing Body & Requirements for Commercial Contracts

Before you can request apostille a commercial contract in London, the agreement must be properly executed with clear, original signatures. If there are any amendments to the standard terms, these should be initialed by all parties to prevent delays. The sending party should make a high-quality copy of the fully signed contract for their records. The original can then be sent securely to the Legalisation Office for the apostille process, ensuring any sensitive clauses remain confidential throughout.

Cost and Processing Details

The FCDO Legalisation Office offers standard and expedited services, with the fee per document detailed on their official website. Standard postal service takes up to 25 working days, while businesses registered for their fast-track service may receive next-day processing. Considering the apostille cost for a commercial contract in London, note that fees must be paid in the correct currency to avoid delays. Some law firms and legalisation agents also provide assistance with the process for an additional charge.

Translation and International Acceptance

Many countries require both an apostille and a certified translation for commercial contracts to be legally valid. The legalisation of a commercial contract in London may involve having the text translated by a certified linguist before or after the apostille is applied, depending on the destination country's rules. Some jurisdictions mandate that the translation carry its own apostille, so it's crucial to confirm these specifics early in the process to align with international requirements and avoid costly errors.

Ensuring Smooth Document Processing

When planning how to apostille a commercial contract, attention to detail is critical for avoiding common setbacks. Ensure the draft version is identical to every signed and finalised copy, and that company seals are properly affixed where required. In forms submitted to the Legalisation Office, clearly state that it's the copy of a commercial agreement. This prevents confusion with other document types. Maintain meticulous records of each step, including courier receipts and confirmations of receipt, as this trail is invaluable if questions arise later in the chain of the document's handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Commercial Contract / Agreement apostille FAQ

What is the process for a commercial contract apostille in London?

The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) handles all UK apostille services. Your commercial agreement goes to their office in Milton Keynes by post, where they attach the certificate verifying the signatures. Business customers can register for next-day service; standard postal service takes longer. Before sending the contract for apostille, ensure all signatures are original wet-ink versions with printed names underneath. Make a photocopy of the full contract to keep for your records before posting anything.

How do I get a certified copy of my commercial agreement?

Original contracts should never be sent through the mail except as a last resort. The Westminster Register Office can create a certified copy of select commercial documents if they hold the original on file, though they primarily handle birth and marriage records. For most commercial papers, the issuing authority who created them should provide the certified copy. Contact the trade body or law firm that drafted the agreement directly to request this service. Keep the original in your office files at all times to prevent loss or damage during shipping.

What happens during the apostille process?

An official at The Legalisation Office examines your commercial agreement to confirm the notary or solicitor's credentials are valid. They attach a paper certificate called an apostille to the back of the document with security ribbons. Each page requiring a signature must have its own verification stamp. The office mails the completed bundle back to the return address provided. Never send them your only copy of an important contract - they keep all items for the duration of processing.

Can I walk into the FCDO Legalisation Office to get an apostille?

The FCDO Legalisation Office processes all requests by mail to their PO Box in Milton Keynes rather than through public counters. Business customers with registered accounts can sometimes arrange same-day collections at specific UK locations, but this requires special approval. Most applicants use the standard postal service that takes up to 25 working days from receipt. The Westminster Register Office handles in-person certified copies for certain commercial registrations, but not the apostille itself. Always check current processing times before posting your documents to avoid missing deadlines.

How It Works

Four steps to your commercial contract / agreement apostille

No office visits. We handle your London commercial contract / agreement 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 London documents are certified and apostilled

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

Westminster Register Office

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

317 Harrow Road, London W9 3RJ

Directions →

FCDO Legalisation Office

Issues the apostille — UK-wide, by post

PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX

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Document Types