by Apostille Service
Share
You Cannot e-Apostille a Birth Certificate
If you are looking to legalise a UK birth certificate for use overseas, it is important to understand that birth certificates cannot currently be issued with an e-Apostille. A paper apostille is required instead.
This is not a policy choice by e-Apostille.co.uk, but a rule set by the UK Legalisation Office (FCDO). Birth certificates are always legalised on the official physical document, issued by the government.
Why UK Birth Certificates Cannot Receive an e-Apostille
An e-Apostille is only available for documents that contain a digitally verifiable signature or an approved electronic signature.
UK birth certificates do not meet this requirement because:
- They are issued as paper certificates by the GRO or local registry office rather than digitally signed documents
- They do not contain an official digital signature that is recognised by the FCDO
- Their authenticity is confirmed by the ink signature on the document or the GRO government seal
Because of this, the FCDO can only apply a physical apostille certificate to a birth certificate.
What Type of Apostille Is Required for a Birth Certificate?
A standard paper apostille must be applied to either:
- The original UK birth certificate, or
- A new official replacement birth certificate ordered from the General Register Office (GRO)
Photocopies, scans, or digital copies cannot be apostilled for birth certificates.
Do I Need a Solicitor Certification for a Birth Certificate?
No, you do not need to get a birth certificate signed by a solicitor. They are signed by a registrar or bear a government seal/stamp.
Birth certificates should never be signed by a solicitor or notary public. They should not make copies and certify the copies.
However, the certificate must be:
- A full or long-form birth certificate (short versions are often rejected overseas)
- A genuine original or GRO-issued replacement
Why is an Apostille Required on a Birth Certificate?
Birth certificates commonly require apostilles for:
- Immigration or visa applications
- Dual citizenship or nationality claims
- Marriage overseas
- Family reunification applications
- Residency permits
If the destination country is not a Hague Convention member, embassy or consular legalisation may also be required after the apostille.
Can a Birth Certificate Be Translated?
Yes. If the receiving country requires it, a certified translation can be provided alongside the paper apostille.
This is common for countries such as Spain, Italy, France, and UAE. We can translate a UK birth certificate into more than 100 languages.
Some countries, like Spain and Italy require a specific type of ‘sworn translation’. We can assist with these too.
Summary
UK birth certificates cannot currently be legalised with the e-Apostille because they lack a digitally verifiable signature. A paper apostille is required, applied to an original or official replacement certificate.
If you need help obtaining a replacement certificate, an apostille, or a certified translation, our professional legalisation service can guide you through the correct process.
The UK’s Leading e-Apostille Service
We provide fast document legalisation for UK documents. Providing electronic e-apostilles and paper based apostilles for UK documents. We legalise UK documents in just 2 days
- Excellent customer support
- Online order updates
- Over 2 decades of experience
The trusted apostille service for thousands of customers.
You Cannot e-Apostille a Birth Certificate
If you are looking to legalise a UK birth certificate for use overseas, it is important to understand that birth certificates cannot currently be issued with an e-Apostille. A paper apostille is required instead.
This is not a policy choice by e-Apostille.co.uk, but a rule set by the UK Legalisation Office (FCDO). Birth certificates are always legalised on the official physical document, issued by the government.
Why UK Birth Certificates Cannot Receive an e-Apostille
An e-Apostille is only available for documents that contain a digitally verifiable signature or an approved electronic signature.
UK birth certificates do not meet this requirement because:
- They are issued as paper certificates by the GRO or local registry office rather than digitally signed documents
- They do not contain an official digital signature that is recognised by the FCDO
- Their authenticity is confirmed by the ink signature on the document or the GRO government seal
Because of this, the FCDO can only apply a physical apostille certificate to a birth certificate.
What Type of Apostille Is Required for a Birth Certificate?
A standard paper apostille must be applied to either:
- The original UK birth certificate, or
- A new official replacement birth certificate ordered from the General Register Office (GRO)
Photocopies, scans, or digital copies cannot be apostilled for birth certificates.
Do I Need a Solicitor Certification for a Birth Certificate?
No, you do not need to get a birth certificate signed by a solicitor. They are signed by a registrar or bear a government seal/stamp.
Birth certificates should never be signed by a solicitor or notary public. They should not make copies and certify the copies.
However, the certificate must be:
- A full or long-form birth certificate (short versions are often rejected overseas)
- A genuine original or GRO-issued replacement
Why is an Apostille Required on a Birth Certificate?
Birth certificates commonly require apostilles for:
- Immigration or visa applications
- Dual citizenship or nationality claims
- Marriage overseas
- Family reunification applications
- Residency permits
If the destination country is not a Hague Convention member, embassy or consular legalisation may also be required after the apostille.
Can a Birth Certificate Be Translated?
Yes. If the receiving country requires it, a certified translation can be provided alongside the paper apostille.
This is common for countries such as Spain, Italy, France, and UAE. We can translate a UK birth certificate into more than 100 languages.
Some countries, like Spain and Italy require a specific type of ‘sworn translation’. We can assist with these too.
Summary
UK birth certificates cannot currently be legalised with the e-Apostille because they lack a digitally verifiable signature. A paper apostille is required, applied to an original or official replacement certificate.
If you need help obtaining a replacement certificate, an apostille, or a certified translation, our professional legalisation service can guide you through the correct process.
The UK’s Leading e-Apostille Service
We provide fast document legalisation for UK documents. Providing electronic e-apostilles and paper based apostilles for UK documents. We legalise UK documents in just 2 days
- Excellent customer support
- Online order updates
- Over 2 decades of experience
The trusted apostille service for thousands of customers.
