by Apostille Service
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The e-Apostille for a UK degree certificate is an electronic version of the traditional paper based apostille. Adding the e-Apostille confirms your qualification is genuine and will legally recognised overseas. Instead of a paper based certificate with a physical stamp, the e-Apostille is issued electronically, as a PDF, and can be verified online.
Legalising a UK degree with the apostille is normally required for employment outside of the UK or to study in another country.
What is an e-Apostille?
An e-Apostille is an electronic apostille issued by the UK’s Legalisation Office, part of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
It serves the same legal function as a paper apostille by confirming:
The authenticity of the signature or certification on your degree (a solicitor’s signature)
That the document was issued by a recognised UK institution
That it can be relied upon by authorities in other Hague Convention countries
Instead of being physically attached to your certificate, the e-Apostille is provided as a secure digital PDF file, containing a copy of your document and the e-Apostille.
Verification of Degree Certificates
Digital Verification:
- University Written Confirmation: The degree holder can request that the issuing university email us to confirm of the qualification is genuine. This written confirmation must be sent to us from an official university email address and not an email you simply forward to us.
- University Platforms: Some universities offer online document sharing platforms (e.g gradintel or their own website) allowing students to share certificates and transcripts with us. We can access the document securely, download the documents and process the copy.
- Verification By Us: For a small fee, we contact the university to confirm the document is genuine. We will use the university’s preferred method to achieve this or email the records office. This can take a little time as universities often take several days or weeks to respond to our communication. Additional consent forms may be required.
How the UK Degree e-Apostille Process Works
1. Degree Verification
Your degree is checked with the issuing UK university to confirm authenticity. Read more about document verification above.
2. Digital Solicitor Certification
The copy degree is certified by a UK solicitor using an advanced electronic signature that is recognised by the FCDO. We include this in our service.
3. e-Apostille Issued
We apply to the FCDO for the e-Apostille on the degree. No paper apostille is attached. It is a PDF file
Benefits of an e-Apostille for Degree Certificates
Faster processing than paper apostilles
No risk of physical document loss or damage
Accepted by an increasing number of countries and institutions
Secure digital verification completed in 1-2 days
Ideal for applicants based overseas
- Documents are emailed and then verified
When an e-Apostille May Not Be Suitable for a UK Degree
While e-Apostilles are gradually being more widely accepted, they are not universally suitable for every degree or destination. In some cases, a paper apostille remains the safer or only option.
An e-Apostille for a UK degree may not be suitable in the following situations:
1. The Requesting Authority Explicitly Requires a Paper Apostille
Some employers, overseas universities. embassies, or government departments still insist on:
A physical apostille attached to the original degree, or
A paper document for internal record keeping
If the authority has explicitly stated “original apostilled document” or “paper apostille”, an e-Apostille should not be used.
2. The Degree Will Be Submitted to an Embassy or Consulate
Most embassies continue to operate paper-based attestation of degree certificates and may:
Refuse digital-only apostilles
Require a paper apostille before embassy attestation
Require physical submission of documents at the counter
This is common for non-Hague countries or where embassy attestation is completed after the apostille has been issued.
3. The Degree Cannot Be Independently Verified
An e-Apostille relies on verification. It may not be suitable if:
The university no longer responds to verification requests
The institution has merged, closed, or changed systems
There is no email, portal, QR code, or official verification route available
In these cases, the paper route using the original certificate is often required and we need to see the original document.
4. The Degree is Older
Very old degree certificates or those issued:
Before modern verification systems existed
Without consistent institutional records
In these cases, the paper route using the original certificate is recommended and we need to see the original document.
5. The Destination Country Has Inconsistent Acceptance
Even within countries that accept e-Apostilles in principle, acceptance can vary by authority.
For example:
One university or employer may accept e-Apostilles
Another authority in the same country may reject them
If there is any uncertainty, the paper apostille is often the safer option. There is no single rule for every country. Please check what you need to provide.
6. The Degree Is Required for Visa or Immigration Purposes
Certain visa categories, professional licensing bodies, or regulated professions require:
Original documents
Wet-ink certification
Physical apostilles for records
Where written guidance specifies originals or physical apostilles, an e-Apostille should not be used. You need to order the paper based apostille.
Ordering an e-Apostille for a UK Degree
To arrange an e-Apostille for your UK degree certificate, you will typically need:
A clear scan of the degree certificate
University verification details if available
Confirmation of the destination country and intended use
If you are unsure whether an e-Apostille or paper apostille is required, we contact us to discuss your document.
Conclusion
An e-Apostille for a UK degree certificate offers a fast, secure, and modern alternative to traditional paper legalisation and is increasingly accepted by employers, universities, and authorities worldwide. When the receiving organisation is able to verify documents digitally and has confirmed acceptance, the e-Apostille can save time, reduce risk, and remove the need to post original certificates. However, where paper apostilles are explicitly required, embassy attestation is involved, or verification is unclear, the traditional paper route remains the correct option. Confirming the requirements of the receiving authority before proceeding is essential to ensure your degree is accepted without delay.
The e-Apostille for a UK degree certificate is an electronic version of the traditional paper based apostille. Adding the e-Apostille confirms your qualification is genuine and will legally recognised overseas. Instead of a paper based certificate with a physical stamp, the e-Apostille is issued electronically, as a PDF, and can be verified online.
Legalising a UK degree with the apostille is normally required for employment outside of the UK or to study in another country.
What is an e-Apostille?
An e-Apostille is an electronic apostille issued by the UK’s Legalisation Office, part of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
It serves the same legal function as a paper apostille by confirming:
The authenticity of the signature or certification on your degree (a solicitor’s signature)
That the document was issued by a recognised UK institution
That it can be relied upon by authorities in other Hague Convention countries
Instead of being physically attached to your certificate, the e-Apostille is provided as a secure digital PDF file, containing a copy of your document and the e-Apostille.
Verification of Degree Certificates
Digital Verification:
- University Written Confirmation: The degree holder can request that the issuing university email us to confirm of the qualification is genuine. This written confirmation must be sent to us from an official university email address and not an email you simply forward to us.
- University Platforms: Some universities offer online document sharing platforms (e.g gradintel or their own website) allowing students to share certificates and transcripts with us. We can access the document securely, download the documents and process the copy.
- Verification By Us: For a small fee, we contact the university to confirm the document is genuine. We will use the university’s preferred method to achieve this or email the records office. This can take a little time as universities often take several days or weeks to respond to our communication. Additional consent forms may be required.
How the UK Degree e-Apostille Process Works
1. Degree Verification
Your degree is checked with the issuing UK university to confirm authenticity. Read more about document verification above.
2. Digital Solicitor Certification
The copy degree is certified by a UK solicitor using an advanced electronic signature that is recognised by the FCDO. We include this in our service.
3. e-Apostille Issued
We apply to the FCDO for the e-Apostille on the degree. No paper apostille is attached. It is a PDF file
Benefits of an e-Apostille for Degree Certificates
Faster processing than paper apostilles
No risk of physical document loss or damage
Accepted by an increasing number of countries and institutions
Secure digital verification completed in 1-2 days
Ideal for applicants based overseas
- Documents are emailed and then verified
When an e-Apostille May Not Be Suitable for a UK Degree
While e-Apostilles are gradually being more widely accepted, they are not universally suitable for every degree or destination. In some cases, a paper apostille remains the safer or only option.
An e-Apostille for a UK degree may not be suitable in the following situations:
1. The Requesting Authority Explicitly Requires a Paper Apostille
Some employers, overseas universities. embassies, or government departments still insist on:
A physical apostille attached to the original degree, or
A paper document for internal record keeping
If the authority has explicitly stated “original apostilled document” or “paper apostille”, an e-Apostille should not be used.
2. The Degree Will Be Submitted to an Embassy or Consulate
Most embassies continue to operate paper-based attestation of degree certificates and may:
Refuse digital-only apostilles
Require a paper apostille before embassy attestation
Require physical submission of documents at the counter
This is common for non-Hague countries or where embassy attestation is completed after the apostille has been issued.
3. The Degree Cannot Be Independently Verified
An e-Apostille relies on verification. It may not be suitable if:
The university no longer responds to verification requests
The institution has merged, closed, or changed systems
There is no email, portal, QR code, or official verification route available
In these cases, the paper route using the original certificate is often required and we need to see the original document.
4. The Degree is Older
Very old degree certificates or those issued:
Before modern verification systems existed
Without consistent institutional records
In these cases, the paper route using the original certificate is recommended and we need to see the original document.
5. The Destination Country Has Inconsistent Acceptance
Even within countries that accept e-Apostilles in principle, acceptance can vary by authority.
For example:
One university or employer may accept e-Apostilles
Another authority in the same country may reject them
If there is any uncertainty, the paper apostille is often the safer option. There is no single rule for every country. Please check what you need to provide.
6. The Degree Is Required for Visa or Immigration Purposes
Certain visa categories, professional licensing bodies, or regulated professions require:
Original documents
Wet-ink certification
Physical apostilles for records
Where written guidance specifies originals or physical apostilles, an e-Apostille should not be used. You need to order the paper based apostille.
Ordering an e-Apostille for a UK Degree
To arrange an e-Apostille for your UK degree certificate, you will typically need:
A clear scan of the degree certificate
University verification details if available
Confirmation of the destination country and intended use
If you are unsure whether an e-Apostille or paper apostille is required, we contact us to discuss your document.
Conclusion
An e-Apostille for a UK degree certificate offers a fast, secure, and modern alternative to traditional paper legalisation and is increasingly accepted by employers, universities, and authorities worldwide. When the receiving organisation is able to verify documents digitally and has confirmed acceptance, the e-Apostille can save time, reduce risk, and remove the need to post original certificates. However, where paper apostilles are explicitly required, embassy attestation is involved, or verification is unclear, the traditional paper route remains the correct option. Confirming the requirements of the receiving authority before proceeding is essential to ensure your degree is accepted without delay.
