Criminal Record Check Apostille in London

Criminal Record Check apostille in London: properly legalised by the FCDO Legalisation Office for global recognition.

Criminal Record Check Apostille

Hague Member

Document type Criminal Record Check

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

London Apostille for Criminal Record Check

Step-by-step guide to obtaining an apostille for a Criminal Record Check from London, with information on certification, costs, and common pitfalls.

In this guide

Apostilling a Criminal Record Check from London
Issuing body & pre-requisites for a Criminal Record Check
Cost & turnaround
Common uses abroad
Translation & acceptance notes

Apostilling a Criminal Record Check from London

To apostille a Criminal Record Check in London, you follow the UK-wide process run by The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - FCDO). There is no separate London-specific body that handles this; the FCDO provides cover for the whole country. A physical visit to the office is not possible as they work only by post. If you need an extra copy to avoid parting with your only original, you can obtain a certified duplicate from your issuing body.

Issuing body & pre-requisites for a Criminal Record Check

The DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) issues police certificates in England and Wales. The form must carry a clear copy of your valid photo ID and have been handled correctly at source. Before you begin the legalisation of a Criminal Record Check in London, confirm that the details exactly match those on your passport or other official identification. Any mismatch can lead to rejection without a clear route to appeal, so check carefully.

Cost & turnaround

The official fee for standard service is £45 per document processed by post to the FCDO Legalisation Office. For registered businesses, a next-day option brings the cost to £40 per paper. These figures reflect what the government charges for the apostille cost for a Criminal Record Check in London. Remember to factor in return postage and the time needed for sending. The exact processing time can vary, often depending on how busy the office is and seasonal demand from other customers.

Common uses abroad

Countries ask for an apostilled criminal record check for various reasons: applying for visas, securing work permits, or meeting residency conditions. Learning how to apostille a Criminal Record Check properly ensures it will be recognized abroad. The good news is that courts and government departments in Hague Convention states must accept documents that carry a compliant UK apostille. This simplifies the legal process, though select nations might still request extra papers such as sworn translations.

Translation & acceptance notes

When you need to apostille a Criminal Record Check in United Kingdom procedures, remember that the FCDO itself does not provide translations. Should you require one, you can engage a legal translator who will affix a certificate confirming it matches the original. The Foreign Office has a network of vetted service providers for this. Finally, the step to apostille a Criminal Record Check in London concludes when the stamp converts the file for international use; each receiving nation sets its own policies for how long they consider the record current.

Frequently Asked Questions

Criminal Record Check apostille FAQ

How do I get a Criminal Record Check apostille in London?

First, obtain a fresh DBS certificate or ACRO police certificate if yours does not have the certificate number visible and scannable. The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) in Milton Keynes issues all UK apostilles, including for London documents, through their postal service. Before sending, make sure any handwritten sections are filled in clearly, as smudges or unclear text often cause delays. Never post your only original - request an official certified copy from your local police force's records office if needed. Each document requires a separate FCDO legalisation form, which you download from gov.uk and enclose with your papers.

Which office in London certifies criminal record documents?

Westminster Register Office at 317 Harrow Road provides official stamps and signatures for local record verification, though you should note that criminal records cannot be acquired there. For a DBS check, you must go through the national online system first, then have the printed certificate certified as a true copy by a solicitor if signing authority is required. The FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes then applies the apostille by post, which verifies the signature on the certified version. Always phone Westminster Register Office on +44 20 7641 2830 to confirm current certification services and hours before making a trip, as walk-in slots change frequently. Different UK police forces may have specific local procedures for certifying their own documents.

Why does my criminal record check need an apostille?

Countries that are members of the Hague Convention (like the UK since 1965) use apostilles to confirm that a document's origin and signatory are genuine, which is crucial when presenting legal papers abroad. For criminal records specifically, the stamp proves to foreign authorities that your police or DBS certificate carries the proper authority behind it and hasn't been altered. Without this verification, foreign employers, visa offices, or government departments have no way to confirm your clean record meets their legal standards. Some nations require additional steps beyond the apostille, such as embassy legalisation for countries outside the Hague agreement. Always confirm the exact needs with whoever requests your document to avoid extra delays or rejections.

What is the timeline for the apostille process?

The Legalisation Office offers two service speeds: a standard postal route and a next-day option for registered businesses only. Processing begins once your application arrives at their Milton Keynes office, not when you post it, so factor in mail delivery times both ways. Delays often occur if your paperwork is incomplete, the signature does not match their records, or the certificate appears altered in any way. The office may contact you by email if they spot issues, so include current contact details on your form. For time-sensitive matters, consider using a professional courier service to track your package both to and from the Legalisation Office.

Are there special rules for criminal records from London?

The main rules apply equally across the UK, but documents issued by London police forces like the Met may require specific validation steps first. The FCDO verifies all UK criminal record apostilles through their Milton Keynes centre, not in London itself. A common pitfall is assuming that because your document came from a London address, you can visit an office there - the entire process is conducted by post. Ensure your certificate displays all security features clearly when scanned, as faint printing or damaged holograms often lead to rejection. Always verify whether your destination country requires further steps beyond the apostille, as some request embassy legalisation even for Hague members.

How It Works

Four steps to your criminal record check apostille

No office visits. We handle your London criminal record check 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

Directions →

Document Types