Government-Issued ID Copy Apostille in London

Government-Issued ID Copy apostille in London processed by The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)

Government-Issued ID Copy Apostille

Hague Member

Document type Government-Issued ID 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

Apostilling a Government-Issued ID Copy in London

How to get an apostille for a copy of your Government-issued ID when you need to use it in another country that's part of the Hague Convention.

In this guide

Apostilling a Government-Issued ID Copy from London
Getting your ID copy ready
What to expect with fees and time
Where you might need this document
Preparing for international use

Apostilling a Government-Issued ID Copy from London

When you need to legalise a copy of your Government-Issued ID for international use, the process requires an apostille stamp from the UK's central authority. The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) handles this specific procedure for all UK documents, including instances where you need to apostille a Government-Issued ID Copy in United Kingdom. Each copy needs separate authentication, so group them together if you're sending multiple pages.

Getting your ID copy ready

Before requesting an apostille, you must obtain a certified copy of your original ID document. A solicitor or notary public can create this by making a clear photocopy and adding their official stamp and signature to verify it matches the original. The Law Society maintains a searchable directory of qualified professionals who can help with apostille a Government-Issued ID Copy in London if you're unsure where to start. Getting this step right is crucial as the Legalisation Office will only process properly certified copies.

What to expect with fees and time

There are two ways to approach the apostille cost for a Government-Issued ID Copy in London, depending on which service option you choose. The standard postal route has one fee while the next-day option has a lower one, reflecting the priority business service. Normal postal processing accounts for transit time and office working days. Registered businesses can pre-register with the office for the faster service if they regularly send batches.

Where you might need this document

International authorities often request an apostilled ID copy as proof of identity without requiring the original passport or driving licence. If you're dealing with how to apostille a Government-Issued ID Copy, it's likely for opening bank accounts overseas, confirming business authority abroad, or completing property transactions. The Westminster Register Office handles similar identity verification for civil records, but for ID copies you'll work through the central Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes.

Preparing for international use

After receiving the apostille, you might need to address the legalisation of a Government-Issued ID Copy in London by getting translations. The process for this depends on the destination country's requirements. Some request a sworn translator while others insist on government-approved language experts. The Legalisation Office itself doesn't provide translation services, so you'll need to arrange this separately once the apostille is in place. Keep the apostille with the translated copy rather than stapling or removing any clips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Government-Issued ID Copy apostille FAQ

How do I get an apostille for a government-issued ID copy in London?

The process begins at Westminster Register Office if you need a fresh copy of your ID record – this protects your only original. Their office at 317 Harrow Road will issue a certified copy directly onto the security paper that foreign authorities trust. You then send this new copy – not your original – to The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) at PO Box 6255 in Milton Keynes. Before submitting, confirm whether the receiving country requires notarisation of the copy, as standards vary. The FCDO Legalisation Office then applies the apostille by post, with two service speeds available.

What exactly does the apostille prove about my ID copy?

The apostille certifies that the signature and seal on your certified ID copy came from a British public official acting in their authorised capacity. It verifies the legitimacy of the Westminster Register Office stamp and the officer's status to issue that document. Think of it as a chain of trust: the register office attests the ID copy is true, then the apostille confirms the register office's standing. This allows foreign authorities to accept the paper without further checks. The system works because the UK joined the Hague Convention in 1965, so member countries automatically recognise this process.

Can I walk in somewhere in London to get this done faster?

The FCDO Legalisation Office operates by post from Milton Keynes – there is no public counter in London or elsewhere for dropping off applications. However, registered businesses do have a next-day service option that cuts the waiting time significantly. Some translation agencies offer to handle the post for you, but this doesn't speed up the government's part. The key to moving quickly is providing everything right the first time – incomplete forms are the main reason for delays. Using recorded or tracked post both ways helps prevent transit issues with your documents.

My ID is in a different language – does that affect the apostille?

The apostille only validates the signature and seal on the British-issued certified copy, not the content or language of your underlying ID. If your destination country requires the text in their own language, you'll need a professional translation after the apostille is attached. Some authorities ask for the translation to be 'sworn' or notarised too, so check their exact needs early. Keep the apostilled paper and translation together as a set when you submit them. The translator should work from the certified copy rather than your original ID to maintain the chain of authenticity.

What's the most common mistake people make with ID copy apostilles?

Submitting the original ID instead of a fresh certified copy creates unnecessary risk – if that single paper is lost, replacing it could take weeks. Another frequent error is assuming that all notary stamps are equal, when the apostille specifically requires a public official's certification. People also forget that some countries require the ID copy to be notarised in a specific way, or demand extra steps like embassy legalisation even with an apostille. Always confirm the exact requirements with the office that will receive the paper. Getting this right first time saves both time and expense down the line.

How It Works

Four steps to your government-issued id copy apostille

No office visits. We handle your London government-issued id 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 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