A birth or death that occurs within the UK may need to be registered overseas. This often means that a birth certificate or death certificate requires an apostille. This blog will detail the situations in which you may need an apostille for a birth or death certificate and how to go about it.
What is an Apostille Certificate?
An apostille certificate is a legally recognised certificate that authenticates a document and validates it overseas in another Hague Member country. If you live in the UK, permanently or otherwise, but wish to use official documents overseas, an apostille is often needed.
When Might I Need an Apostille for a Birth or Death Certificate?
Applying for dual nationality – you will need to produce birth certificates to apply for dual nationality. These may require an apostille to be valid as a legal document in another country.
A passport for a child – A child’s birth certificate will often require an apostille. If you are applying for a child’s passport, you can check with the relevant embassy to find out the exact documentation you need.
Registering the death of a foreign national – if someone dies in the UK but was not a permanent resident, you will likely need an apostille for their death certificate. This is particularly important when dealing with the deceased’s estate and could cause considerable hold-ups if not acquired. The death certificate or the coroner’s certificate is unlikely to be accepted until it is legalised by an apostille, and Power of Attorney may not be granted to the family overseas.
Things to Remember
It is important to note that you may need a translation of your documents. You should contact the relevant embassy to find out if this is required. Another key thing to be aware of is that an apostille can only be legally issued to the original or official copy of the original document issued by the General Registry Office.
If you have lost your documentation, you can order a replacement copy which can arrive in as little as a few days.
It is always best to seek professional advice from a specialist, such as Apostille and Legalisation. This will help you get all documents in order, and any required apostille can be issued swiftly. Usually, you can obtain and apostille within a few days in the UK.
Contact Apostille & Legalisation Services on 020 8017 2216.
