A simpler route applies
For most papers going to Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can skip embassy legalization. The country accepts a stamp called an apostille instead, which is a single step applied in the UK to verify the record in question. This makes consular legalization for Bosnia and Herzegovina unnecessary for routine matters like birth or marriage records produced by British authorities. If your position specifically demands full embassy attestation for Bosnia and Herzegovina, then the longer route would involve embassy legalization for Bosnia and Herzegovina from Plymouth, but you should have that instruction in writing from the receiving office first. Otherwise, you can save time and focus on the steps that actually apply to your case.
Where to begin in Plymouth
If you need a fresh copy of a birth, marriage or death record for legal purposes, the Plymouth Register Office at Derriford Park can prepare an official copy with their signature and seal. They handle requests by post or in person with prior arrangement. This step means you never need to part with your one-of-a-kind original birth or marriage document. For any official use of a document in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this fresh certified copy is what will carry the apostille, not the original you keep safe at home. The Plymouth office maintains records issued within its jurisdiction back to 1837.
Getting the apostille
To legalize documents for Bosnia and Herzegovina, you send the fresh certified copy to the Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes. This is the only office in the UK that issues apostilles. They check that the signature and seal from Plymouth Register Office are genuine. The apostille itself is a small certificate that gets attached to your document, confirming its authenticity. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina recognises this simpler form of certification, you won't need to complete a consular chain or visit an embassy. The Legalisation Office works by post only, so you'll mail them the document with a form and supporting papers.
How long it takes
The standard turnaround for an apostille through the Legalisation Office ranges from seven to ten working days once they receive your papers. For an extra fee, they offer an express service that takes two to three working days. Time your mailing carefully, as these estimates don't include postage in either direction. Keep in mind that you'll need to leave additional time for the Plymouth Register Office to issue your certified copy if you don't already have one. The total timeframe often comes down to how quickly you can gather the right papers and how busy the offices are when you submit them.