If you need to legalise a UK document for use abroad, one of the first questions you will ask is simple: how much does an apostille cost in the UK?
The short answer is that the official FCDO fee starts from £35 to £45 per document, depending on the type of apostille, but your total apostille cost can be higher once you include return delivery, solicitor or notary certification, translation, or embassy legalisation.
This guide explains the real cost of apostille certification in the UK, what is included, what can increase the price, and when paying for a faster professional service may save you time, stress, and repeat costs.
If you already need your document legalised quickly, you can order your apostille online.
What Is the Official Apostille Fee in the UK?
In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The official fees depend on the service type you use.
Current FCDO apostille fees:
- Standard paper-based apostille: £45 per document + Shipping
- e-Apostille: £35 per document (Not widely accepted)
- Next-day paper-based service: £79 per document, but only through officially registered businesses like Ace Apostille.
Many people miss the fact that the next-day FCDO option is not available to the public. For most individual applicants, the standard public route is the paper apostille service at £45 per document, plus return delivery costs although it’s a slower process, taking between 15-20 working days.
How Much Does a Hague Apostille Cost in the UK?
There are two main ways to get your documents apostilled in the UK: through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or via a professional apostille service like Ace Apostille.
FCDO Direct Pricing:
- £45 per document
- Standard processing: 15–20 working days
- Higher rejection rate for incorrect applications
- Delays are common if paperwork isn’t perfect
Ace Apostille Pricing:
- £79.00 for a NEXT-DAY Apostille
- Fast turnaround: Next Working Day if document received by 11am.
- Expert document check, and high approval rate
- Free scanned copies and fully tracked shipping.
How Much Does an Apostille Cost in Total?
The real apostille cost in the UK depends on the document and whether any extra preparation is needed before it can be legalised.
Typical total cost scenarios
1. Public document already accepted by the FCDO
If you have a UK birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, Companies House document, or other qualifying public document, you may only need the apostille itself.
- FCDO direct: from £45 plus return delivery: 15-20 working days
- Professional service like Ace Apostille: £79, but with document checks, submission support, and NEXT-DAY processing.
2. Document that needs solicitor or notary certification first
Documents such as degree certificates, passport copies, driving licences, powers of attorney, and many business papers often need certification before the FCDO will legalise them.
- Solicitor certification: extra cost
- Notary certification: extra cost, often higher than solicitor certification
- Apostille: added on top
3. Documents for non-Hague countries
If the destination country is not relying only on the apostille, you may also need embassy legalisation after the apostille. This adds both time and cost.
For more information, see: Understanding the Hague Apostille Convention
Is the Cheapest Apostille Option Always the Best?
Not necessarily. The cheapest route is usually to apply directly through GOV.UK, but the lowest headline fee does not always mean the lowest overall cost.
When the direct FCDO route makes sense
- You have plenty of time
- Your document is already in the correct format
- You are 100% confident it does not need solicitor or notary certification
- You are 100% comfortable managing the application yourself
When a professional apostille service may be better value
- You have an urgent deadline
- You are unsure whether the document is eligible
- You need certification before apostille
- You are sending documents from overseas
- You want to reduce the chance of delays caused by avoidable mistakes
If speed matters, read Fast-Track Apostille Service UK and Apostille Processing Times UK.
How Long Does an Apostille Take in the UK?
Cost and speed usually go together. A cheaper route often takes longer, while a premium service is usually faster and more hands-on.
Typical UK apostille turnaround times
- FCDO standard paper-based service: usually up to 20 working days, plus delivery time
- FCDO e-Apostille: up to 2 working days, where the document is eligible
- FCDO next-day service: only for registered businesses
- Ace Apostille next-day service: suitable for urgent cases where the document is eligible and received on time
This is where many applicants get caught out. A service may look cheaper at first, but if your deadline is close, a delay can become far more expensive than the price difference.
What Can Increase the Cost of Apostille Certification?
People often search for the FCDO fee, but that is only one part of the total cost.
Extra costs to watch for
- Solicitor certification for copies and some private documents
- Notary public fees for documents that need notarisation
- Translation costs if the receiving authority asks for a certified translation
- Embassy legalisation for countries outside the Hague Convention process
- Courier return fees for paper apostilles
- Repeat applications if the wrong document is submitted or a document is not eligible
Important note on failed applications: NO REFUND FEE
If a document cannot be legalised, the FCDO states that the fee is not refunded. That is why checking document eligibility before applying can save both money and time.
Is an e-Apostille Cheaper?
Yes. The official e-Apostille fee is £35 per document, so it is cheaper than the standard paper-based apostille.
But not every document qualifies
An e-Apostille is only available for certain digitally signed PDF documents. Many common documents, including some public certificates and police certificates, are not eligible.
If the receiving authority wants a paper apostille, or your document type is excluded from e-Apostille use, you will need the paper-based route instead.
Is Next-Day Apostille Service Available in the UK?
Yes, but only through a registered next-day provider like Ace Apostille.
Professional next-day apostille service
Services such as Ace Apostille are designed for individuals and businesses that need a fast turnaround without handling the submission process themselves.
- Document review before submission
- Help spotting certification issues early
- Fast handling for urgent international deadlines
- Secure return options
You can start here: Order Apostille Online.
Should You Apply Directly or Use an Apostille Service?
Apply directly if:
- You want the lowest official fee
- Your deadline is flexible
- Your document is already suitable for legalisation
- You are 100% confident you know and understand the process.
Use a service if:
- You need speed
- You want guidance on document eligibility
- You need solicitor, notary, translation, or embassy support
- You want the process handled for you
If you want a broader explanation of the process itself, read What Is an Apostille?
Frequently Asked Questions About Apostille Costs in the UK
How much does an apostille cost in the UK?
The official FCDO fee is £45 for a standard paper-based apostille and £35 for an e-Apostille. Your total cost may be higher if you need return delivery, solicitor certification, notarisation, translation, or embassy legalisation.
Why is the apostille price different from one provider to another?
The FCDO fee is only one part of the cost. Professional providers may include document checks, handling, faster submission, customer support, and secure return options. Some documents also need extra preparation before they can be legalised.
Can I get an apostille in one day?
Yes, in some cases. The public FCDO service is not generally a one-day option, but professional fast-track services can often provide a next-day turnaround if the document is eligible and arrives before the daily cut-off.
Is the FCDO next-day apostille service available to everyone?
No. GOV.UK states that the FCDO next-day paper-based service is for registered businesses only.
Do I have to pay for each document separately?
Usually, yes. The FCDO charges a fee per document. If you have several documents, your overall cost can rise quickly, especially if each one needs its own certification and apostille.
What documents might cost more to apostille?
Degree certificates, passport copies, powers of attorney, company documents, and private legal documents can cost more because they often need solicitor certification or notarisation before the apostille stage.
What is the cheapest way to get an apostille in the UK?
The cheapest route is usually to apply directly through GOV.UK using the appropriate apostille service. However, that is not always the best-value option if your documents are urgent, complex, or likely to need correction first.
Can I get a refund if my document cannot be legalised?
No. GOV.UK says that if your document cannot be legalised, the fee is not refunded. That is why checking eligibility before applying is important.
Is FCDO rejection common?
Yes. Many direct FCDO applications are rejected due to paperwork errors. Professional services help you avoid this.
Ready to Get Your Documents Apostilled?
If you are comparing apostille prices because your deadline is approaching, the smartest question is not only “what is the cheapest apostille?” but also “what will this cost me if something goes wrong or takes too long?”
Ace Apostille helps individuals and businesses get documents legalised quickly, clearly, and with less stress.
Order your apostille online now or contact Ace Apostille if you want your documents checked before you proceed.
