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Embassy and consulate legalisation

For countries outside the Apostille Convention, we take your documents through every step up to the embassy or consulate stamp.

Countries that have not joined the Hague Apostille Convention, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Vietnam, require full legalisation. The usual chain is: certification by a UK solicitor or notary where needed, an apostille from the FCDO, and then legalisation by the country's embassy or consulate in London. Some embassies also require a translation into their official language, or a prior stamp from a chamber of commerce for commercial documents.

Each embassy has its own forms, fees, opening hours and processing times, and requirements change without notice. We track those rules, prepare the application, deliver and collect the documents in person and keep you informed at each step.

The same applies in the other direction: if you hold a foreign document that must be legalised for use in the UK, our international network can have it legalised in the issuing country before we translate it.

How it works

No office visit needed. Everything can be handled by email and tracked post.

  1. Send your document

    Upload a scan or a clear photo through the form, or email it to us.

  2. Receive your quote

    We confirm the price, the deadline and any legalisation the destination requires.

  3. We translate and certify

    A qualified translator translates; a second linguist checks; we certify.

  4. Delivery

    Certified PDF by email, and signed originals by tracked post when needed.

Languages we translate

Certified translation to and from English in more than 35 languages, and between most language pairs.

See all languages

Frequently asked questions

How do I know whether I need an apostille or embassy legalisation?

It depends on the destination country. If it is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is enough. If not, the document needs embassy or consulate legalisation, usually after the apostille. Tell us the country and we will confirm the exact steps.

How long does embassy legalisation take?

Each embassy sets its own processing time, from same day to several weeks. We give you an estimate with the quote, based on the embassy's current practice.

Do I need to go to the embassy myself?

No. We submit and collect the documents on your behalf. You only need to send us the originals, or let us obtain them for you.

Request a free quote

Prices depend on the language, the document and the deadline, so every quote is prepared individually. Attach your document and we will reply by email with a fixed price and a delivery date.

Prefer to write or call?

info@abc-office.eu

+33 9 70 44 01 21

PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC or DOCX. Up to 10 MB in total.