Apostilled documents in Plymouth for use in Romania

Plymouth apostille for Romania can be secured by requesting a certified copy from the Plymouth Register Office and having the Legalisation Office apply the apostille.

Plymouth → Romania

Hague Members

Destination Romania

Destination status Hague Convention member

Issued by The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)

Standard turnaround Up to 25 working days, plus postage

Information validated 18 August 2026

Complete Guide

Plymouth Apostille for Romania: Complete Legalisation Guide

How to obtain an apostille in Plymouth for official documents being used in Romania, including certified copies and the legalisation route.

In this guide

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Romania
Romania's Hague status & what it means
The Plymouth → Romania route step by step
Cost & timing for this route
Destination-specific requirements

Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Romania

Since Romania implements the Hague Convention, an apostille from the United Kingdom is the correct certification for your documents to be legally recognised there. This applies to all official papers including birth certificates, marriage records, and court orders issued in England, Wales, or Scotland. The apostille confirms that the signature, stamp, or seal on your document is genuine, allowing authorities in Romania to rely on it without requiring further authentication. When preparing document legalisation for Romania, always specify your destination country to ensure you receive the right type of certification for that jurisdiction. Check whether your document needs a fresh certified copy before starting the apostille from United Kingdom to Romania process, since some papers can only be legalised if issued recently.

Romania's Hague status & what it means

Romania has been a member of the treaty that simplifies document legalisation between countries since 2001. This means that once your British document has an apostille, it should be accepted by all government and legal bodies across Romania. The certification confirms the authority of the person who signed your paper and verifies any official seals added by UK institutions. For example, a birth certificate issued in Plymouth would need this apostille for Romania before it could be used for marriage registration in Bucharest or applying for residency. There is no need for further legalisation at the Romanian embassy in London, unless your document type falls under special international agreements that take priority.

The Plymouth → Romania route step by step

First, ensure you have the correct version of your document. Vital records like Plymouth birth or marriage certificates must be recent certified copies, which you can obtain directly from Plymouth Register Office at Derriford Business Park. Do not send your only original - order a fresh copy specifically for the apostille process. Your certified copy will bear the office's official stamp and signature, which the legalisation office must verify.

Once you have your official paper, send it by post to the Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes along with the covering form and payment. The office checks that the signature matches their records before applying the apostille. The turnaround time depends on which service you select when applying. After receiving your legalised document back by post, check that all details are correct before using it in Romania.

Cost & timing for this route

The fixed government fee for each apostille is set by the legalisation office. Standard post takes longer but costs more per document than when using the registered business service. Postal applications take several weeks from the day the legalisation office receives your package. You can find the current fee on the official government website, along with the different processing options available to individuals and professional users. When calculating your timeline, factor in the time needed to obtain certified copies from Plymouth Register Office before sending documents for apostille certification.

Destination-specific requirements

Before submitting your papers, understand what you need for an apostille for Romania to ensure acceptance. Romanian authorities often require documents to be translated by a sworn translator, who must stamp and sign each page of the translation. The translator may need to annex the apostilled document to their work for the certification chain to remain unbroken. Check whether the office in Romania that will use your document has specific form requirements or additional certifications. It is wise to get this information in advance to avoid requests for additional paperwork once your apostilled document arrives in Romania.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plymouth → Romania apostille FAQ

How does a Plymouth apostille for Romania work?

The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) adds an apostille to your paper after confirming the signature of the issuing authority. This stamp shows that the document is genuine and is recognized by Romania because Romania joined the Hague Convention in 2001. You send a certified copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office at PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX and they return the paper with the apostille. A common mistake is to send the original civil record, which cannot be replaced if lost. Instead, order a fresh certified copy from the Plymouth Register Office, Derriford Park, Derriford Business Park, Plymouth PL6 5QZ, then proceed with the apostille.

Which documents can I use for the apostille route?

Any official paper that you need in Romania must first be a certified copy issued by the proper authority in the UK. For birth, marriage or death records you can request a fresh certified copy from the Plymouth Register Office at the address given. The certified copy is then sent to the FCDO Legalisation Office, which attaches the apostille. A mistake many make is to use an uncertified photocopy, which the Romanian side will not accept. Once the apostille is affixed, the paper can be presented to the Romanian institution without further UK certification.

What fee applies for the apostille and how is it paid?

The Legalisation Office charges an official fee for each paper that receives an apostille. The standard postal fee is £45 per document, while businesses that qualify for next‑day service pay £40 per document. Payment is made by the method described on the office’s instruction sheet that accompanies the request. People sometimes forget to include the correct fee amount, causing delay and a return of the paper. Ensure you attach the exact fee and a clear cover note before sending the certified copy to the Milton Keynes address.

How long does it take to receive the apostille for Romania?

The FCDO Legalisation Office processes apostilles by post and does not have a public walk‑in desk. Typical turnaround depends on the postal service used, with standard delivery usually taking several working days after receipt. If you use the next‑day service for registered businesses, the office aims to return the paper within the next business day after it arrives. A frequent error is to assume the apostille will be ready within a few hours, which is not possible through the postal route. Plan your schedule by allowing enough time for mailing to Milton Keynes, the office’s handling, and return to your address before any Romanian deadline.

Do I need any translation or extra steps after getting the apostille for Romania?

Romania requires that any foreign‑language paper be presented with a Romanian translation if the receiving office cannot read English. The apostille itself does not need translation because it is a universally recognized stamp. After you receive the apostilled paper, you can commission a sworn translation into Romanian for the main text of the record. Some applicants mistakenly think the apostille replaces the need for translation, leading to rejection at the Romanian desk. Arrange a certified translation and attach it to the apostilled document before submitting it to the Romanian authority.

How It Works

Four steps to your Romania-ready apostille

No office visits, no queues. The entire process is handled remotely and you track every step in real time.

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 before use in Romania 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