Document legalisation is the legal process of verifying the authenticity of your educational, personal or commercial documents so they are accepted by authorities in another country. It typically involves solicitor or notary certification, an FCDO apostille, and where required, embassy attestation for the destination country.
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Document Legalisation Specialists · London
Document Legalisation & Embassy Attestation Services in the UK
Whether you’re a professional, student, or business investor, document legalisation is often a mandatory step for working, studying, or doing business abroad. Continental Visa provides end-to-end support — solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, and embassy legalisation for Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, the UAE, Thailand and other countries.
- Solicitor, FCDO Apostille & Embassy Legalisation
- Transparent, Upfront Pricing
- Standard & Next-Day Options
Overview
Document Legalisation & Attestation — How We Simplify the Process
Whether you are a professional, student, or business investor planning to work, study, or establish commercial ties abroad, document legalisation is often a mandatory step. Your documents must be legally verified before they will be accepted by foreign authorities.
At Continental Visa, we are a trusted provider of visa applications and document legalisation services. Our company offers end-to-end support to individuals and organisations, ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish.
What Is Document Legalisation?
Document legalisation is a legal process that verifies the authenticity of your educational, personal, or commercial documents before they are accepted by institutions in another country. It ensures your documents are genuine and legally valid for international use.
Our team handles the legalisation process effectively and ensures your documents are not rejected or delayed by the required government departments or embassies.
Looking for Saudi Arabia attestation? For documents intended for use in Saudi Arabia, please see our dedicated Mosadaqa Attestation and QVP Verification services, which cover the specific Saudi requirements in full.
Our Services
Document Legalisation & Apostille Services
From fast-tracked apostille to country-specific embassy legalisation, select the service you need below. Each page explains the process, requirements and timeline in full. Not sure what you need? Request a quote and we’ll guide you.
FCDO Apostille
Next-Day Apostille Service
Fast-tracked FCDO apostille for applicants working to tight job-offer or visa deadlines — your document legalised quickly.
View Next-Day Apostille
View Next-Day Apostille
Embassy Legalisation by Country
Legalisation for UAE
Full document legalisation and embassy attestation for use in the United Arab Emirates.
View UAE Legalisation
View UAE Legalisation
Legalisation for Egypt
Document legalisation and consular attestation for documents intended for use in Egypt.
View Egypt Legalisation
View Egypt Legalisation
Legalisation for Qatar
Embassy attestation and legalisation of UK documents for use in Qatar.
View Qatar Legalisation
View Qatar Legalisation
Legalisation for Kuwait
Consular legalisation and embassy attestation of UK documents for use in Kuwait.
View Kuwait Legalisation
View Kuwait Legalisation
Legalisation for Thailand
Document legalisation and embassy attestation for documents intended for use in Thailand.
View Thailand Legalisation
View Thailand Legalisation
Legalisation for Vietnam
Embassy of Vietnam consular legalisation now; FCDO apostille from 11 September 2026. We’ll guide you to the right route for your timeline.
View Vietnam Legalisation
View Vietnam Legalisation
Other Countries
We legalise documents for many other countries and embassies. Contact us with your destination for a tailored quote.
Request a Quote
Request a Quote
Specialist Country Services
For destinations whose authorities require more than a standard apostille — sworn or certified translations, country-specific notarial wording, or direct university verification — we offer dedicated specialist services.
Italian Declaration of Value
UK degree verification + UK Notary Public certification with Italian Consulate-compliant wording + Next-Day FCDO apostille — for the Dichiarazione di Valore.
View Italian DoV Service
Legalisation for Spain
FCDO apostille + traducción jurada (sworn translation) by MAEC-registered translators + homologación document prep for UK degree recognition.
View Spain Legalisation
Legalisation for Germany
FCDO apostille + beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified court-sworn translation) + Anabin degree recognition support.
View Germany Legalisation
Need a Different Country?
Portugal (DGES equivalência), France (sworn traducteur assermenté), and other country-specific routes — contact us for a tailored quote.
Request a Quote
The Process
How UK Document Legalisation Works
Document legalisation follows a defined chain. The exact steps depend on the destination country — some require only an FCDO apostille, while others also require embassy attestation. Continental Visa manages the relevant steps for you.
1
Solicitor / Notary Certification
A UK solicitor or notary certifies the document — the first formal step that prepares it for legalisation.
2
FCDO Apostille
Legalisation by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) — the official apostille confirming the document is genuine.
3
Embassy Legalisation
Where the destination country requires it, the document is attested by the relevant embassy — Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Thailand and others.
Timelines matter. When it comes to job offers and visa approvals, we understand deadlines are important. That's why we make sure your documents are legalised accurately, without delays or rejections.
Document Types
Documents We Legalise
If you’re a UK-based applicant, your UK legalisation process must be completed before any embassy attestation. Our team ensures your documents are legally recognised by the relevant authorities. We legalise the following types of documents:
Educational Documents
Degrees, diplomas, and transcripts — essential for employment and student visa applications abroad.
Personal Documents
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police certificates (ACRO) for residency and family applications.
Commercial Documents
Powers of attorney, company invoices, and contracts — required for business setup and international trade.
Transparent Legalisation Fees
Legalisation and embassy attestation fees vary depending on the type of document, the destination country, processing speed, and embassy requirements. As a professional service provider, we offer transparent, clear, and upfront pricing, along with multiple service options — standard and urgent processing.
Before starting the process, we explain all applicable fees, so you know exactly what to expect — with no hidden costs.
Why Continental Visa
Why Choose Continental Visa for Legalisation?
Our commitment to professionalism, experience, and a customer-focused approach makes us stand out. Our team has extensive knowledge of UK and international legalisation requirements — and understands that document legalisation isn’t just a formality, but an essential step towards your goals abroad.
End-to-End Support
From solicitor certification through to embassy attestation — the relevant chain managed in-house.
Experienced & Trusted Team
Vast knowledge of UK and international legalisation requirements, applied to every document.
Fast & Accurate
Documents legalised accurately and on time — minimising the risk of delays or rejections.
Transparent Pricing
Clear, upfront fees with standard and urgent options explained before the process begins.
Dedicated Support
Reliable assistance and a dedicated point of contact throughout the entire process.
ICO Registered & Established
UK-registered consultancy (Companies House No. 16149984) and ICO Registered (ZC091062).
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions — Document Legalisation
Answers to the most common questions about document legalisation and embassy attestation. For case-specific guidance, please contact us directly.
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What is document legalisation?
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What is an FCDO apostille?
An FCDO apostille is an official certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office that confirms a UK document is genuine. It is recognised by all countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, and is a core step in legalising a document for international use.
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Which countries do you provide embassy legalisation for?
Continental Visa provides document legalisation and embassy attestation for Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, the UAE, Thailand and other countries. The exact steps depend on the destination country and whether it is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Contact us with your destination for a tailored quote.
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Which documents can be legalised?
Continental Visa legalises educational documents such as degrees, diplomas and transcripts; personal documents including birth, marriage and police certificates; and commercial documents such as powers of attorney, company invoices and contracts.
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How much does document legalisation cost?
Legalisation fees vary depending on the type of document, the destination country, processing speed, and embassy requirements. Continental Visa offers transparent, upfront pricing with both standard and urgent processing options, and explains all applicable fees before the process begins so there are no surprises.
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Is there a faster apostille option?
Yes. Continental Visa offers a Next-Day Apostille Service for applicants working to tight deadlines, alongside the standard apostille service. We confirm the timeline and fee for each option before starting.
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Do you handle legalisation for Saudi Arabia?
For documents intended for use in Saudi Arabia, we have dedicated services that cover the specific Saudi requirements — see our Mosadaqa Attestation and QVP Verification pages.
Start Your Document Legalisation With Us
Whether you need an FCDO apostille or full embassy legalisation, our experienced team makes the process seamless — saving you time, effort, and stress. Hand the complexities of legalisation to us and focus on your future.
Request a Consultation