Apostilled documents in Southampton for use in Brazil

Southampton apostille for Brazil: Issued by the Legalisation Office for documents legalised under the Hague Convention, valid since 2016.

Southampton → Brazil

Hague Members

Destination Brazil

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

Southampton Apostille for Brazil: Complete Legalisation Guide

Get your UK documents legalised for use in Brazil through the FCDO apostille service.

In this guide

Presidential decree: letter vs A4 paper in Brazil
Required translations for the Brazilian authorities
Starting your process in Southampton

Presidential decree: letter vs A4 paper in Brazil

Brazil's presidency issued a decree that affects how papers are prepared for legal use. Documents on standard A4 paper face stricter scrutiny when submitted to public offices in Brazil. A permanent binding with a coloured ribbon through every page helps ensure all attachments stay together as one record. For the safest compliance, have documents prepared on traditional legal size (14.8cm by 21cm) paper with this binding method before seeking an apostille from United Kingdom to Brazil.

Required translations for the Brazilian authorities

Brazil has three official languages and requires strict accuracy in translated documents. You must hire a sworn translator or translation firm registered with a Brazilian trade board before sending papers. This is especially important when preparing document legalisation for Brazil, as each page of the translation needs signature and registration details. The translator's credentials will be verified against official records, so confirm their active status with the trade board registry.

Starting your process in Southampton

For birth, marriage, or death certificates linked to Southampton, visit Southampton Register Office at 6a Bugle Street to request a fresh certified copy for your apostille application. This lets you keep your original paper safe at home while the backup copy goes through the legalisation steps. The registry will verify the details against the local register and provide a certified copy under their seal. This is often quicker and more secure than risking your original in transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Southampton → Brazil apostille FAQ

Does Brazil accept the Southampton apostille for Brazil since joining the Hague Convention?

Yes, Brazil has accepted the apostille method since joining the Hague Convention in 2016. This means a document certified with an apostille in the UK is legally recognised in Brazil without further steps. The apostille confirms that officials in the United Kingdom have verified the signature on your paper. You do not need a separate stamp from the Brazilian Embassy as long as you follow the correct route through the UK's The Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office). Start by getting a certified copy of your document from Southampton Register Office if you prefer not to send your only original through the mail.

How does The Legalisation Office verify my document from Southampton?

The Legalisation Office checks that the signature and seal on your document were placed by an official recognised in the United Kingdom. For a civil record like a birth or marriage certificate, they verify the signer's authority against their records. Their team works from Milton Keynes and handles all requests by post; there is no public counter to visit in person. Once confirmed, they attach the apostille certificate to your document. The entire process normally takes a few working days from when they receive your package.

What if my document is in English? Will Brazil accept it?

Brazil requires all papers in a language other than Portuguese to have a certified translation for official use. You have two options: get the translation done in the UK and attach it with your apostilled original, or take the apostilled document to Brazil and arrange translation there. Many Brazilian authorities will want to see your apostilled original alongside the Portuguese version. A certified translator's stamp on the translation should bear their credentials and contact details. Remember to request an extra certified copy at Southampton Register Office to keep for your records before sending anything abroad.

Can I use a digital copy or does it have to be the original paper?

The The Legalisation Office must see and stamp your original paper document or a certified copy from an approved authority like Southampton Register Office. A photocopy or digital scan is not sufficient for their process. If you need to keep your original safe, you can order a fresh certified copy from the register office specifically for this purpose. Once the apostille is attached, make several photocopies of the entire set before sending it to Brazil. This way, you keep your original document secure while still meeting the requirements.

What happens after I receive the apostilled document back?

Once your document returns with the apostille, it is ready for official use in Brazil. You may wish to make several certified copies of the full set before submitting it to Brazilian authorities. Keep the original apostille attached to the record at all times, as separating them invalidates the certification. If you are asked to present multiple copies, show the original with the apostille and provide photocopies. For extra security, consider using a tracking service that requires a signature when sending important papers internationally.

How It Works

Four steps to your Brazil-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 Southampton documents are certified and apostilled

These are two different offices doing two different jobs. The local register office issues the certified copy of a Southampton birth, marriage or death record — check its current appointment rules before going. The apostille itself before use in Brazil comes from the FCDO Legalisation Office, the UK's single competent authority, which accepts documents by post rather than in person.

Southampton Register Office

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

6a Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2AJ

Directions →

FCDO Legalisation Office

Issues the apostille — UK-wide, by post

PO Box 6255, Milton Keynes MK10 1XX

Directions →

Document Types