What is Apostille/ Legalisation?
An Apostille in the United Kingdom is a certificate issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) which verifies the signature and/or seal of a public officer, e.g. a Notary Public, on a document and the capacity in which he or she has acted and has the same effect as legalisation.
Our Notary is very well experienced in producing these certificates. Having an apostille is very beneficial; as it will speed up any situation where you are told that you have to prove your identity. A seal of approval from our Notary will be recognised by any organisation all over the world.
Many countries have ratified the Hague Convention of 5th October 1961 on the legalisation of public documents. Documents for use in such countries only require legalisation by “Apostille” at the FCO.
Apostilles are required for a number of different countries around the world. This includes USA, UAE, Australia, Argentina, Canada (to name a few). The list of countries are many so please call us and book an appointment at our East London office so we can identify the correct procedure for the country you are concerned with.
Apostille Services We Provide
Standard Service – Legalisation in Milton Keynes
This option arranges legalisation through the FCDO in Milton Keynes. It is ideal for non-urgent cases, as exact turnaround times cannot be guaranteed by the FCDO. Processing times may vary throughout the year, with an estimated range between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on FCDO’s workload.
Premium Next Day Service
As registered users of the FCDO’s “next day” service, we can expedite your document legalisation. Documents submitted early in the morning will be processed and returned the following afternoon.
If you submit your documents by 10 a.m., we can have them legalised by the FCDO and back to you by 4:30 p.m. the next working day. This service includes an administrative fee in addition to the FCDO’s charge.
Premium 2 Working Day Service – Legalisation in Milton Keynes
This service provides legalisation within two working days via the Milton Keynes FCDO office. Documents submitted by 2 p.m. are generally returned by 4:30 p.m. after the next working day. An additional administrative fee is required, on top of the FCDO fee, to facilitate this service.
Note: As of December 2023, the Legalisation Office no longer offers same-day service in London. However, in exceptional cases, Muhammad Karim may assist with the Restricted Urgent Service. If same-day legalisation is needed, please specify the reason, and he will request pre-approval from the FCDO.
E-Apostille / Electronic Apostille
The FCDO typically processes Electronic Apostilles within two days; however, many are completed on the same day. This service is available exclusively for E-Notarisations with a Qualified or Advanced Electronic Signature (QES) and is not applicable to paper documents.
Embassy/Consular Legalisation
For countries which have not ratified the Hague Convention of 5th October 1961, documents must be legalised at the Consulate of the country in question. For some countries it will still be necessary to first obtain an Apostille. If the notarised document needs Consular legalisation more time is needed. Particularly in connection with some countries where the legalisation process requires two visits. Such countries include Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Tunisia, Taiwan, Vietnam, China and Uruguay (to name a few).
We are highly experienced in the process of Consular legalisation; we understand the various requirements and know the likely time scales involved. Our Notary Public will advise you of any country specific Embassy/Consular legalisation requirements. Our Notary Public can also assist in obtaining the Embassy/Consular legalisation if this is requested by you.
Contact US
White Horse Solicitors & Notary Public
96 White Horse Lane
London E1 4LR
Parking
Private Car Park Bays for clients at the rear of our Office
Bus
The 25, 309 and 205 buses run closest to our Office
Nearest Tube Station:
Stepney Green Underground tube station – (District Line) – (1 minute walk to our Office)
Mile End and Whitechapel Underground Tube Station – (Central Line) – (7 – 10 minutes walk to our Office)
OUR REVIEWS
White Horse Notary Public London
96 White Horse Lane, London
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Exceptional service from start to finish. The notarial team at White Horse Solicitors & Notary Public demonstrated professionalism, efficiency, and flexibility when handling a time-sensitive international matter. They provided clear guidance, … More adapted quickly to changing requirements, and facilitated remote verification with ease.
The process was seamless—from initial contact and video witnessing to prompt delivery of the notarised document and follow-up with courier details. Communication was courteous and timely throughout, and all actions were executed with precision.
Highly recommended for anyone in need of reliable and responsive notarial services, especially under tight deadlines or international constraints. -
I had a fantastic experience with White Horse Notary Services, specifically with Muhammad, who handled the notarization of my mortgage documents for South Africa. From the initial phone call, the team was incredibly helpful and friendly. … More I needed an urgent appointment, and they were able to accommodate me the very next day, which was a huge relief.
Given the volume of documents, I was also very grateful for the generous discount offered.
Thanks to White Horse, my mortgage process was significantly smoother. They played a crucial role in ensuring all my documents were correctly finalized. I recommend White Horse Notary Services to anyone needing reliable and efficient notary services. -
I had a great experience with the White Horse Notary. Muhammad helped me notarize a Statement of Intent, and I really appreciated how quickly he responded and completed the process. The service was efficient, professional, and hassle-free. … More Highly recommend!
Muhammad Karim
Notary Public
Muhammad Karim is both a qualified Solicitor & Notary Public. Muhammad Karim qualified as a Solicitor in 2012 & was awarded the post graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice from the University College London (UCL) & qualified as a Notary Public in 2015.
FAQ’S
What is the role and duty of a Notary Public?
Can a Notary Public notarise documents in foreign languages?
Who do you provide your notarial services to?
What is an Apostille & do I need it?
Do you provide same day legalisation services?
Can a Notary Public Notarise a Document Online?
Do I need consular or Embassy legalisation for the country where my document is going to be used?
Do I need to bring identification documents with me when coming to notarise my documents?
How much will it cost me to notarise my documents?
Do you provide home visits/ visits to my office/ weekend/ evening appointments?