Government Issued Document

Notarisation and Apostille Services for Government Issued Document

When dealing with government-issued documents in the United Kingdom, notarisation is often a crucial step to ensure their legal authenticity and compliance. At Wharf Notaries, our dedicated notary public services specialise in the notarisation of government-issued documents, providing a seamless and legally compliant process tailored to your specific needs.

If you intend to use these documents outside of the UK, you may also require an apostille from the FCDO and consular legalisation. We can assist you at every stage of the process to ensure your government-issued document is valid abroad.

What are Government Issued Documents?

Government-issued documents encompass a wide range of paperwork and certificates issued by government authorities. These documents serve various purposes, including:

  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificates
  • Death certificates
  • Passport applications
  • Citizenship certificates
  • Visa applications
  • Naturalisation certificates
  • And other documents issued by government agencies
document notarisation in london

Why Apostille a Government-Issued Business Document

In addition to personal documents, the UK Government issues numerous documents related to business, energy, and industry.

In 2023, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) was divided into three departments, each issuing key documents:

  • Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Documents
  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Documents
  • Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Documents

These documents often require legalisation by a notary public, especially for companies conducting business overseas.

Process for Notarising and Legalising Government Issued Documents

Whether you require notarisation and/or legalisation depends on the document you have and the country where you will use it.

Certain documents can be apostilled directly by the FCDO without needing notarisation, including:

  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificates
  • Death certificates
  • ACRO police certificates
  • Certified Companies House documents

Generally, if a document issued by an official government department/body/agency has an original wet ink signature from a government official, it can be apostilled directly.

However, if the document has an electronic signature or no signature at all, it must be notarised first before it can be apostilled.

Common government-issued documents that often need notarisation include:

  • DBS police certificates
  • Decree Absolute
  • HMRC certificates

Let us know what document you have, and we can advise on whether it needs notarisation and legalisation or if it will only need legalisation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Government Issued Document

What types of government-issued documents can you notarise?

We can notarise a variety of government-issued documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, ACRO police certificates, citizenship certificates, visa applications, and more.

Do all government-issued documents require notarisation?

Not all government-issued documents need to be notarised. Some documents can be apostilled directly by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) if they bear an original wet ink signature from a government official. If a document has an electronic signature or no signature, it will typically need to be notarised first.

How long does the notarisation and apostille process take?

The process duration can vary depending on the document and the required services. Generally, our expedited services can complete the notarisation and apostille process within a few business days. We also offer same-day services for urgent requests.

How will I receive my notarised and apostilled document?

Once the process is complete, we will email you a PDF scan of your document. You can then choose to have the physical document returned via collection, post, or courier.

Can you assist with documents issued by business departments as well?

Yes, we also provide notarisation and apostille services for business documents issued by UK government departments, such as the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Contact Us Today for Notarisation and Apostille Services for Your Government-Issued Documents

For a seamless and legally compliant notarisation and legalisation of government-issued documents in the United Kingdom, trust the experienced team at Wharf Notaries. We specialise in government-issued document notarisation and legalisation, ensuring your official records meet all necessary legal requirements and effectively serve their intended purpose.