Memorandum & Articles of Association Apostille in London

Memorandum & Articles of Association apostille in London: processed through Companies House and the FCDO Legalisation Office, ready for overseas recognition.

Memorandum & Articles of Association Apostille

Hague Member

Document type Memorandum & Articles of Association

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 Memorandum & Articles of Association Apostille Guide

How to legalise a Memorandum & Articles of Association in London with the UK Legalisation Office for international use.

In this guide

Apostilling a Memorandum & Articles of Association from London
Issuing body & pre-requisites for a Memorandum & Articles of Association
Cost & turnaround
Common uses abroad
Translation & acceptance notes

Apostilling a Memorandum & Articles of Association from London

When your company plans to operate abroad, the government of the destination country may ask for an apostille on your Memorandum & Articles of Association. This proves the signature on your company documents is genuine and that they were properly executed under UK law. The apostille cost for a Memorandum & Articles of Association in London is fixed by the FCDO Legalisation Office, the competent UK authority for this service. You can apply by post to their Milton Keynes processing centre or use their online portal for a fully digital route if your receiving country accepts e-Apostilles.

Issuing body & pre-requisites for a Memorandum & Articles of Association

Before you can apostille a Memorandum & Articles of Association in the United Kingdom, you need an original document signed by the company director or a certified copy from Companies House. The original must have original signatures and be bound as your company's founding document. If you have only one original, consider requesting an official duplicate from Companies House so you retain the master copy. The FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes requires the paper to be in perfect condition without any marks, staples, or attachments when you send it.

Cost & turnaround

The standard service to legalise a Memorandum & Articles of Association in London takes up to 25 working days by post, though registered businesses can pay for next-day processing. Official fees apply per document, with no bulk rate discounts available. Remember to factor in mailing time to and from Milton Keynes when planning your timeline. Many law firms and corporate service providers operate in central London, but all UK apostilles originate from the single FCDO Legalisation Office regardless of where your company is based.

Common uses abroad

The legalisation of a Memorandum & Articles of Association in London makes your UK company documents valid for numerous international transactions. Foreign authorities commonly require this when opening bank accounts, establishing subsidiaries, participating in tenders, or entering joint ventures abroad. Some countries may ask for additional notarisation or local embassy legalisation even after the apostille, so always confirm specific requirements with your receiving party. The Westminster Register Office cannot assist with this process, as they handle personal documents rather than corporate papers.

Translation & acceptance notes

After obtaining the apostille, you may need to translate your Memorandum & Articles of Association for the destination country. Some nations require a sworn translator's work, while others accept notarised translations. The process of how to apostille a Memorandum & Articles of Association involves sending the final, signed version of your company constitution that matches exactly what's registered at Companies House. Any amendments made after incorporation must be reflected in the document you submit for the apostille, or the receiving authority may reject it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Memorandum & Articles of Association apostille FAQ

Where do I get a Memorandum & Articles of Association apostille in London?

The Legalisation Office at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office issues all UK apostilles by post. Your company's Certificate of Incorporation must accompany the papers to prove they are active and genuine. The FCDO Legalisation Office, based in Milton Keynes, processes applications through a secure mail system that avoids personal visits. Companies House keeps your main business records, so you do not need to risk your original file in the mail. Order fresh certified copies from them to send for the apostille instead of your only signed version.

How long does the whole process take?

Standard postal service takes around 2-3 weeks from when your papers reach the FCDO Legalisation Office. Their next-day service, available to registered businesses, cuts this to 72 working hours at a lower fee. Processing counts only once they open the envelope, not from postage date. Delays happen if they question signatures or ask for more proof of the company's status. Check the envelope for correct postage since underpaid mail sits unopened in their returns pile for days.

Can I use an existing company document or do I need fresh ones?

The office accepts certified copies of the original Memorandum & Articles, but they must bear a recent stamp from Companies House. Paginated and securely bound papers tend to pass faster than loose sheets. Digital signatures need a wet ink company director signature on the paper itself. Scanned versions or faxed pages will not meet the standard for legalisation. Order fresh certified copies from Companies House if your current ones have any marks or fading.

What makes them reject an application?

The most common rejections come from missing proof of company standing or mismatched signatures. The office compares the director's signature on your document against their records at Companies House. Smeared stamps, unreadable seals, or documents with correction fluid will be sent back. They also check that the paper shows no signs of tampering or alteration. Send the Certificate of Good Standing if your business operates under a different name now than when incorporated.

Which parts of the document need translating?

Every page in a foreign court proceeding requires a full sworn translation connected to the apostille. The translator follows the layout exactly, including headers, footers and seals, in a matching font. They must note any company stamps in the margin next to the translation for that page. Legal terms specific to UK company law need footnotes explaining their meaning in the target language. The sworn statement then gets its own apostille before being attached to your pack.

How It Works

Four steps to your memorandum & articles of association apostille

No office visits. We handle your London memorandum & articles of association 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