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✅ E-Apostille and Digital Apostille Services (Active + Transition-Optimised Version)

E-Apostilles and Digital Apostilles in the UK

Apostille Direct provides fast and secure digital legalisation for all types of UK documents.
We specialise in E-Apostilles, which allow your papers to be certified electronically by the UK Legalisation Office without needing a physical copy.

When your document is signed digitally by a UK notary or solicitor, it can qualify for an E-Apostille using either an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) or a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES). These electronic seals meet the strict requirements of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

What Is an E-Apostille?

An E-Apostille is a digital certificate that confirms a UK document’s authenticity.
It replaces the traditional paper apostille and provides the same legal validity.

Since October 2022, the UK has officially allowed digital legalisation through the FCDO.
This change means that many documents can now be certified entirely online, reducing time, paperwork, and postage.

However, it remains essential to confirm whether your recipient country or organisation accepts an E-Apostille before proceeding.

Why Choose E-Apostille Legalisation

There are several reasons why clients prefer digital apostilles:

Speed: Most applications complete on the same day or the next working day.
Convenience: Everything is processed electronically; no courier or in-person visits are needed.
Security: Each E-Apostille includes an encrypted digital signature, making it tamper-proof.
Sustainability: Digital certificates reduce paper use and carbon emissions.

As a result, E-Apostilles offer a modern, efficient alternative to traditional legalisation.

How the E-Apostille Process Works

The process is simple and transparent:

Electronic Signing – A UK notary or solicitor digitally signs your document using AES or QES.
Submission – Apostille Direct submits the document to the UK Legalisation Office online.
Digital Legalisation – The FCDO attaches an official digital apostille certificate.
Delivery – You receive the fully certified document by secure email.

In most cases, we complete this process within 2–24 hours.
Occasionally, it may take up to two working days, depending on the Legalisation Office’s workload.

Therefore, if you need urgent service, we recommend contacting us early in the day.

Important: Not Every Country Accepts E-Apostilles

Before ordering, please confirm with your recipient that they will accept a digital apostille.
Some authorities, especially outside the EU, still require paper apostilles.

If a country or institution refuses to accept an E-Apostille, you will need a traditional paper version instead.
Because acceptance rules vary, Apostille Direct cannot issue refunds once an E-Apostille is processed.

To avoid unnecessary costs, we strongly advise verifying acceptance in writing first.

Documents Eligible for E-Apostille

Documents that may qualify include:

Digitally signed passports, ID cards, and driving licences
Academic and training certificates
Powers of attorney, if electronic signatures are allowed by the receiving country
Companies House and Charity Commission documents
HMRC certificates and correspondence
Medical certificates and court judgments
Contracts and other commercial documents

These documents are usually accepted once correctly signed and submitted.

Documents Not Eligible for E-Apostille

Some documents can only be legalised using paper apostilles, including:

Birth, marriage, and death certificates (issued by the General Register Office)
ACRO police certificates
DBS and Disclosure certificates for England, Scotland, or Northern Ireland
Fingerprint certificates
ACCA membership certificates

If your document appears in this list, Apostille Direct can assist you with a paper apostille service instead.

Why Choose Apostille Direct

Trusted Expertise: We specialise exclusively in UK apostille and legalisation services.
Compliance: All digital signatures meet the eIDAS Regulation standards.
Speed: Our team processes most applications the same day.
Security: We use trusted digital signature platforms such as DocuSign, ensuring full encryption and verification.
Global Reach: We support clients worldwide who need UK digital legalisation.

Moreover, we always provide clear guidance before you commit, helping you choose the correct service for your destination country.

Important Considerations Before Ordering

✅ Confirm acceptance with your recipient before proceeding.
✅ Obtain written confirmation where possible.
✅ If the recipient does not accept digital apostilles, request a paper apostille instead.
❌ No refunds are issued if an E-Apostille is rejected by the recipient.