If you are a driver in the UK and you own a vehicle, you will be familiar with the DVLA V5C document. This document shows who the registered keeper of the vehicle is, and it is a UK government-issued document which cannot be changed. You can, however, obtain an apostille for your DVLA documentation, which we will look at here.
Why and When Might You Need to Legalise Your V5C?
Vehicle exportation is the most common reason for needing an apostille for a V5C. Many countries require a V5C to be legalised with an apostille before they will let it be imported, registered, or clear customs. Having an apostille will prove you own the vehicle, and that will be accepted in a country that belongs to the Hague Convention. For countries that are not, a different process called “embassy legalisation” or “attestation” is required.
Original vs Copy of a V5C
If you need an apostille for your DVLA vehicle registration document (V5C), you can’t apply it directly to the original because it is a UK government-issued document that cannot be amended in any way. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not legalise many original government documents like the V5C unless a recognised official signs them. The DVLA does not sign the V5C; therefore, it cannot be apostilled in its original form.
So, How Do I Legalise a V5C?
The first step to legalising your DVLA document is to present the original to a notary or a solicitor. They will then make a copy of the document and certify it as a true copy of the original. This copy is then submitted to the FCDO to apply for the apostille, which ensures the apostille is safely attached to the certified copy rather than interfering with the original V5C.
Things to Consider
If your V5C is laminated, the FCDO cannot apostille it directly. However, a solicitor or notary can create and certify a copy, which can then be apostilled. Also, a V5C can only be legalised with the e-Apostille if a solicitor or notary has seen the original and made a digital copy with a secure ‘enhanced digital signature’. Consult a professional, such as Apostille and Legalisation Services, for advice on the process.
For help with apostilles, translation and legalisation, contact Apostille & Legalisation Services on 02080172216.
