Commercial Document Apostille Services
What Are Commercial Document Apostilles?
An apostille is an official certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It authenticates the origin of a UK commercial document for use in Hague Convention countries. Apostilles are only required when a document created, signed, or issued in the UK is being used abroad. If the document is to remain in the UK, no apostille is necessary. The apostille confirms that the document has been signed or sealed by a recognised UK authority.
Why Do Businesses Need Apostilles?
Companies operating internationally often require apostilled documents to comply with foreign legal and regulatory requirements. Common reasons include:
Registering a company or branch overseas
Opening bank accounts or financial operations abroad
Participating in international tenders or contracts
Submitting documents to foreign courts or government bodies
Meeting compliance requirements in tax, customs, or licensing procedures
These documents may be rejected or delayed without an apostille, impacting business operations and legal standing abroad.
Understanding the Hague Convention
The Hague Convention simplifies document legalisation by replacing lengthy embassy legalisation with a single apostille certificate. However, only countries that have signed the Convention recognise apostille documents. For non-member countries, documents may need additional consular legalisation after or in place of the apostille process.
Types of Business Documents We Apostille
We handle a comprehensive range of business documents, from standard company formation papers to niche corporate documents, including:
Certificate of Incorporation. Proof that your company is legally registered in the UK, often required to establish credibility overseas.
Memorandum and Articles of Association. Founding documents detailing the company's purpose, share structure, and internal rules.
Company Accounts and Financial Statements. Audited accounts, annual reports, and balance sheets often required by foreign tax authorities or investors.
Contracts and Agreements. Sales contracts, joint ventures, partnership agreements, service contracts, and international trade documents.
Power of Attorney. Authorisation enabling individuals to act on behalf of the company in legal or financial matters abroad.
Board Resolutions. Official decisions made by the company's board, such as appointing directors or approving major transactions.
Certificates of Good Standing. Confirmation that your company complies with UK legal and filing obligations, often requested by foreign partners or authorities.
Shareholder Agreements. Documents outlining the rights and responsibilities of company shareholders.
Additional Document Types
We can also arrange apostille documents for niche documents such as:
Business Licences and Permits
Trademark Registrations
Compliance Certificates for industry-specific requirements
If you have a document not listed here, please contact us to confirm whether it qualifies for apostille services or requires Embassy attestation.
How Our Commercial Apostille Service Works
Our process is designed for clarity, security, and speed, tailored to the needs of corporate clients:
Submit Your Documents
Send your documents to us by post, courier, or hand delivery to our office.
Document Verification
Our team checks whether your documents qualify for an apostille and advises if notarial certification or translations are required. Solicitor certification is not valid outside the UK, so where certification is needed, a Notary Public must be used. We can refer you to a trusted local notary if required.
Payment
Once your order is reviewed, payment is taken securely over the phone by card before submission
Apostille Application
We submit your documents to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) using the next working day service for registered providers. This ensures fast and reliable processing.
Secure Return
Once complete, documents are returned via DHL Domestic, DHL International, or made available for collection from our office. All deliveries are tracked and secure.
Express Processing
Standard turnaround is usually 2–3 working days from receipt to dispatch, provided the documents are in order and payment is made promptly.
Express options may be available for urgent requirements, including next working day where eligible.
Security and Confidentiality
We use strict document handling protocols, including tamper-evident packaging and insured DHL delivery, to protect sensitive business information. Once received, your documents are hand-delivered directly to the FCDO and embassies by our own couriers – no third parties are involved until final dispatch.
Apostille Pricing Overview
Our pricing is straightforward and transparent and reflects the complexity and urgency of the service. Starting prices include:
Apostille: £40 per document
Embassy Handling: £30 per document
DHL Domestic return: £12.50 per order
DHL International return: £55 per order
Translations: Price on application
Prices cover:
Verification and processing of documents
FCDO apostille fees
Secure tracked courier delivery (both ways)
Customer support throughout
We provide detailed, transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Custom pricing plans and account services are available for large volumes or repeat business.
Why Choose Us for Your Business Apostille
We’re a registered FCDO Apostille provider
We are an officially registered provider with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), giving us direct access to their next working day service.
Our experienced team
Apostille Express was founded in January 2023, and our team have over 30 years of collective experience in document legalisation.
We offer a safe, fast turnaround
Our standard turnaround is 2–3 working days, with express options available for urgent requirements, subject to eligiblity.
Our services are always secure and confidential
All documents are handled securely, hand-delivered to authorities by our own couriers, and returned via tracked DHL delivery. No third parties are involved until final dispatch.
Comprehensive, transparent communication
We provide updates at each stage – receipt, FCDO submission, and dispatch – along with scanned copies and tracking numbers.
Proven Customer Trust
We are proud of our excellent reputation and consistently positive Trustpilot reviews
We offer tailored, flexible corporate services
From single requests to ongoing business needs, we offer tailored solutions with support for bulk orders and repeat clients.
Our team are professionals with years of expertise we bring and the feedback we’ve received from clients we’ve worked with.
Business Document Apostille FAQs
What business documents are eligible for apostille services?
Most UK government-issued business documents, including incorporation certificates, contracts, and financial statements, can be apostilled. However, some documents require notarisation first.
How long does the apostille process take?
Our standard processing time is 2–3 working days from receipt to dispatch, provided documents are correct and payment is made promptly. Express services, including next working day, are available where eligible.
Are notarised documents required before apostille?
Certain documents, such as powers of attorney or contracts, must be notarised by a Notary Public before the FCDO will issue an apostille. Solicitor certification is not valid outside the UK. We can refer you to a trusted local notary if required.
Can I get an apostille using digital copies of documents?
Only certified electronic copies or scans authorised by a notary public qualify. Originals are preferred.
Are apostilled documents accepted worldwide?
Apostilles are accepted in all Hague Convention countries. For non-members, additional consular legalisation may be needed.
What happens if the FCDO rejects my document?
We thoroughly check documents before submission, but if the FCDO rejects a document due to issues such as missing signatures or unsuitable copies, they do not offer refunds and we must pay the fee again for resubmission. If a rejection is due to a signature query, the FCDO will refund the fee.
Can you assist with non-apostille legalisations?
We specialise in FCDO apostilles and embassy/legal consular legalisation services when required.
Do you provide tracking and proof of delivery?
Yes, all documents are sent and returned via secure tracked courier with delivery confirmation.
Do you offer companies ongoing apostille services?
We offer corporate accounts, volume discounts, and dedicated support for regular apostille requests.
Important Information about Apostilles for Commercial Use
Authenticity vs. Content. An apostille confirms the document's origin and signature authenticity but does not verify the content or legal validity within foreign jurisdictions.
Translations: Some countries require apostilled documents to be accompanied by certified translations. We can guide you to trusted translation services.
Multiple Legalisation Steps: In rare cases, documents may require notarisation, apostille, and further consular legalisation depending on the destination country.
Legal Compliance: Ensure your documents comply with the UK's statutory requirements before submission to avoid delays.
Get Started with Your Business Document Apostille
Secure your international business operations with our expert apostille service. Whether you need a single certificate or manage multiple apostilles regularly, our professional team provides reliable, secure, and fast service tailored to your needs.
Order your Business Document Apostille via our online portal or contact us for a customised quote and consultation.