Apostille does not work for Chad – use embassy legalisation instead
An apostille from the UK cannot be used for papers going to Chad. The country is not among the signatories of the Hague Convention, so its offices will not accept the apostille stamp. Instead, your papers must go through the longer consular legalisation path at Chad's embassy in London. This is the only way to make UK documents valid for official use in Chad. Start by ordering a fresh certified copy of birth, marriage or death records from Nottingham Register Office at The Council House so you don't risk your original.
Official copy first – step one for all documents
Nottingham Register Office can supply a fresh certified copy of any birth, marriage or death record for you. You'll need to request this copy specifically for document legalisation for Chad, as the office must prepare it correctly for the legalisation process. Using a fresh copy means you never need to part with your original certificate. The register office staff understand how to certify these correctly for international use. Once you have this ready, it becomes the paper that the Foreign Office and embassy will handle, keeping your original safe.
Legalisation Office stamp – before embassy legalisation
Every paper must first get a stamp from the UK legalization authority before Chad's embassy will touch it. The Legalisation Office checks that signatures and seals on your document are genuine, and applies their verification sticker. This service currently costs an official fee per document for standard service. Expect to send your papers to their Milton Keynes office by post. For security against loss, print the postcode properly as MK10 1XX.
Final step – legalisation at the Chadian embassy
Your papers need final verification by Chad's diplomatic mission after the UK side is complete. What you need for the apostille for Chad process varies, but always includes both the legally certified English document and a professionally translated French version. The embassy may also ask for the form they call a 'proces-verbal' to be completed. Turnaround times and specific requirements can change. Some weeks are busier than others at their London desk, so plan for this block of your timeline accordingly.
The complete Nottingham → Chad route step by step
Start by obtaining a certified copy from Nottingham Register Office — quote that it's for an apostille from United Kingdom to Chad so they prepare it appropriately. Then send the certified copy (never the original) to the UK Legalisation Office for their stamp and verification. Once it comes back to you, submit this verified paper together with the French translation to the Chadian embassy in London for their final stamp and seal. Their officers will review the full package before applying the final legalisation mark. Keep secure scanned copies of everything at each stage for your records.