Passport Copy Apostille in Plymouth

Passport Copy apostille in Plymouth — issued by the Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office).

Passport Copy Apostille

Hague Member

Document type Passport 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

Plymouth Apostille for Passport Copy

Guide to getting an apostille on a copy of your passport for use outside the UK, with specific information for Plymouth residents.

In this guide

Apostilling a Passport Copy from Plymouth
Issuing body & pre-requisites for a Passport Copy
Cost & turnaround
Common uses abroad
Translation & acceptance notes

Apostilling a Passport Copy from Plymouth

To legalise a copy of your passport for use abroad, you must first get a proper copy certified before having it authenticated with an apostille stamp. The process for a passport copy is straightforward because the UK has been part of the Hague Convention since 1965. Start by making a clear photocopy of your passport's information page showing your photo and personal details. A notary public or solicitor can then certify this copy as a true likeness of the original document.

Issuing body & pre-requisites for a Passport Copy

For the legalisation of a passport copy in Plymouth, you first need the certified photocopy prepared by a notary public. While there's no public counter in Plymouth for apostille services, the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office handles all applications by post. The office at PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX reviews the notary's signature and seal before applying the apostille. Keep in mind that some countries might ask for extra steps even with the apostille if they're not part of the Hague Convention.

Cost & turnaround

The apostille cost for a passport copy in Plymouth includes an official fee that varies based on the service level you choose. Standard postal service takes longer but keeps costs lower, while next-day processing charges more per document. Shipping costs are not part of the government's fee structure. Processing times depend on the volume the Legalisation Office handles when they receive your papers, so plan accordingly for your deadline.

Common uses abroad

When you need to apostille a passport copy in United Kingdom, it's often for overseas employment, residency permits, or bank account openings in another country. Having an apostille on your passport copy confirms to foreign officials that the notary's credentials are legitimate. The apostille a passport copy in Plymouth follows the same rules as anywhere else in Britain because the service is centralised. Always check whether the country where the passport copy will be used requires additional legalisation beyond the apostille stamp.

Translation & acceptance notes

If the receiving country requires an English translation of your apostilled passport copy, you'll need to follow their specific rules about who can provide it. Some nations accept the apostille on its own, while others might want the translation to be attached to the certified copy. Understanding how to apostille a passport copy properly involves knowing that the translation usually comes after the apostille process, not before. Always confirm exactly what format the foreign authority expects since requirements differ widely between countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Passport Copy apostille FAQ

What is a Passport Copy apostille in Plymouth?

An apostille for a passport copy is a certificate that confirms the authenticity of the copied document's signature and seal when used abroad. In Plymouth, as throughout the UK, the apostille must be obtained from the The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office). For your security, they work by post from their Milton Keynes address rather than handling documents in person. Many people mistakenly send their original passport for this process, but what you actually need is a certified true copy. The office processes regular applications within days, and registered businesses can choose a next-day service at a lower fee per document.

How do I get my passport copy certified before sending it for apostille?

Your passport copy must be certified as a true likeness of the original before the FCDO will issue the apostille. The exact certification requirements vary depending on the receiving country's rules. Some nations accept certification by a notary public or solicitor in Plymouth, while others may require embassy certification instead. For complete confidence, many clients use our guidance service since getting this step wrong can mean the apostille is refused. Once certified, you would post both the copy and your application form to the Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes for processing.

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

No, the Legalisation Office operates exclusively by post from their Milton Keynes address at PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX. They do not offer an over-the-counter service or accept in-person submissions. This applies to all UK passport copy apostille requests, regardless of whether you're in Plymouth or elsewhere in the country. The office processes applications in the order they receive them, with standard postal service and next-day options available. You should always send your documents using a tracked postal service and keep copies of everything.

Why would I need an apostilled passport copy for use abroad?

Many countries require an apostilled copy of your passport to verify your identity for official purposes like opening bank accounts, applying for residency, or getting married overseas. The apostille assures foreign authorities that your document is genuine without needing further checks. For example, if you're relocating from Plymouth to work abroad, your new employer might need this certified proof of identity. Different countries have varying acceptance rules, so it's wise to check exactly what they require before starting the process. Some may also need official translation after the apostille is attached.

How It Works

Four steps to your passport copy apostille

No office visits. We handle your Plymouth passport 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 Plymouth documents are certified and apostilled

These are two different offices doing two different jobs. The local register office issues the certified copy of a Plymouth 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.

Plymouth Register Office

Certified copies of civil records (birth, marriage, death)

Derriford Park, Derriford Business Park, Plymouth PL6 5QZ

Directions →

FCDO Legalisation Office

Issues the apostille — UK-wide, by post

PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX

Directions →

Document Types