Marriage Certificate Apostille in London

Marriage Certificate apostille in London: issued by the Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) in Milton Keynes.

Marriage Certificate Apostille

Hague Member

Document type Marriage Certificate

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 19 August 2026

Complete Guide

Apostilling a Marriage Certificate from London: Complete Guide

Steps to obtain a certified copy and get a UK apostille for your London-issued marriage certificate, with FCDO Legalisation Office fees and processing times.

In this guide

Apostilling a Marriage Certificate from London
Issuing body & pre-requisites for a Marriage Certificate
Cost & turnaround
Common uses abroad
Translation & acceptance notes

Apostilling a Marriage Certificate from London

To begin the journey of legalising a marriage certificate from London, you first need an official certified copy. This paper must come directly from the General Register Office or a local register office like Westminster Register Office in London. The process to apostille a Marriage Certificate in United Kingdom involves the FCDO Legalisation Office, which checks the document and attaches the apostille. This special stamp confirms the status of the official who signed it. Remember that the apostille itself does not verify the content of the marriage record, only that the signature and seal are genuine.

Issuing body & pre-requisites for a Marriage Certificate

Westminster Register Office at 317 Harrow Road, London W9 3RJ can provide certified copies of marriage certificates for local records. When considering how to apostille a Marriage Certificate, note that the FCDO Legalisation Office requires the document to be a recent certified copy, not the original historical certificate. This means you can keep your irreplaceable original safe while the copy goes through the apostille process. The certified copy must bear the original wet-ink signature and stamp from the register office. Any alterations or additions to the document may lead to rejection by the legalisation team.

Cost & turnaround

The standard fee for the legalisation of a Marriage Certificate in London through the FCDO Legalisation Office is £45 per document when using the regular postal service. For registered businesses with an account, an express next-day option exists at £40 per document. Processing times can extend up to 25 working days for the standard service, not including postage time. These timeframes may vary depending on demand and completeness of your application. It's wise to factor in extra days when planning for your document's return journey through the mail system.

Common uses abroad

A properly apostilled marriage certificate from London serves various official purposes overseas. Many couples need this document when applying for spousal visas, buying property as married partners, or dealing with inheritance matters in another country. The apostille a Marriage Certificate in London receives makes it valid in all 120+ countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. This includes popular destinations like the USA, Australia, and most European nations. The receiving country's authorities will review the apostilled document as part of their own checks.

Translation & acceptance notes

If the destination country speaks a different language, you may need to translate the apostilled marriage certificate. The apostille cost for a Marriage Certificate in London does not include translation services, which must be arranged separately. Some countries require the translation to be done by a sworn translator and then legalised again. The FCDO Legalisation Office works by post only, with no public counter for drop-offs or collections at their Milton Keynes address. Always order an extra certified copy if you anticipate multiple official uses or translations, as each apostille attaches to one specific document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Marriage Certificate apostille FAQ

How do I get a Marriage Certificate apostille in London?

You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate issued by Westminster Register Office, located at 317 Harrow Road, London W9 3RJ. You must then send this certified copy by post to the FCDO Legalisation Office, as they are the only authority that can issue British apostilles. Never send your original marriage certificate through the post, as certified copies are far easier to replace if lost. The Legalisation Office works entirely by post from their Milton Keynes address, so no travel is needed. Once processed, the apostilled document will be returned to you for use overseas.

What makes Westminster Register Office different from the apostille service?

Westminster Register Office provides certified copies of marriage certificates, which is a necessary first step before an apostille can be issued. Only the FCDO Legalisation Office can apply the apostille itself. These are two separate government offices with distinct roles: one proves the document is genuine, while the other certifies it for international use. The register office charges for the certified copy, while an official fee applies for the apostille service. Both offices work by post, with the register office at 317 Harrow Road and the Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes.

How should I prepare my marriage certificate for the apostille?

You must first obtain a full certified copy from Westminster Register Office, as commemoration certificates and photostat copies are not accepted. The document should be in pristine condition with no marks, stamps, or staples that could obscure the official signature. Make sure the marriage certificate is complete and includes all relevant details like the full names, dates, and registration district. If you notice any errors on the certified copy, have them corrected at the register office before proceeding. Once you have the perfect certified copy, you can then send it for the official stamp which confirms its authenticity abroad.

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

No, the Legalisation Office operates exclusively by post and does not accept walk-in visitors. You must send your certified marriage certificate and application form to their Milton Keynes postal address. Registered businesses can use a next-day service, while standard processing takes longer. Keep a photocopy of the entire package for your records before posting. This mail-only approach prevents document loss and ensures secure handling by the proper authorities.

What if my marriage was in London but I don't live there anymore?

You can still order a certified copy of your London marriage certificate from Westminster Register Office by post. The register office can send the certified copy directly to you, wherever you live in the world. Once you receive it, you can then apply for the apostille through the standard process. There is no need to visit London in person at any stage. The system is designed to handle international applications entirely by post.

How It Works

Four steps to your marriage certificate apostille

No office visits. We handle your London marriage certificate 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