GOV.UK
You get a UK public document ‘legalised’ by asking the UK government to confirm that a UK public official’s signature, seal or stamp on the document is genuine.
You might need to do this if a local authority abroad has asked you to provide a document and they’ve said it must be legalised.
How to get a document legalised
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Pay online for the service - it costs £30 per document, plus postage.
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Complete the legalisation application form.
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Send your documents, application form, a blank A4-sized envelope and the payment confirmation page (which you’ll get after you pay online) to the relevant address below.
Once received, your documents are usually legalised and sent to you within 48 hours. You’ll get an email if there’s a delay.
Businesses can register for the legalisation premium service.
Sending your documents from the UK
Legalisation Office
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
PO Box 6255
Milton Keynes
MK10 1XX
Sending your documents from abroad or by courier from the UK
You can’t deliver documents in person. This is a postal and courier address only.
Legalisation Office
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Hanslope Park
Hanslope
Milton Keynes
MK19 7BH
Other payment methods
You can also pay by UK postal order, banker’s draft or business cheque (made payable to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office).
You’ll need to include a payment of £30 per document, and enough to cover the return of your documents by courier, which costs:
- £6 in the UK (including British Forces Post Office)
- £14.50 per 500g in Europe (not including Russia, Turkey, Bosnia, Croatia, Albania, Belarus, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Ukraine)
- £25 per 500g in every other country
Include an A4-sized pre-paid envelope if you’re in the UK and don’t want your documents returned by courier.
Contact the Legalisation Office
legalisationenquiries@fco.gsi.gov.uk
03700 00 22 44
Monday to Friday, midday to 4pm
Find out about call charges