If you receive a UK apostille, you may need to prove that it is genuine. This can happen when a foreign authority, employer, university, bank, notary, lawyer or government department wants to check that the apostille was issued by the UK Legalisation Office.
The UK has an online verification service that can be used to check both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles issued in the UK. To use it, you need the apostille issue date and apostille number shown on the certificate. GOV.UK confirms that the UK verification service can be used for either paper or electronic apostille certificates issued in the UK.
What does apostille verification show?
Apostille verification helps confirm whether an apostille certificate was issued by the UK Legalisation Office.
This can give the receiving organisation confidence that the apostille is genuine and that the legalisation certificate matches official UK records.
It does not confirm that the document contents are true. It also does not mean that the overseas authority must accept the document for every purpose. The receiving authority will still decide whether the document meets its own rules.
What information do you need?
To verify a UK apostille online, you usually need two key details:
- the date the apostille was issued
- the apostille number
These details are shown on the apostille certificate. GOV.UK says the issue date and number are on the apostille certificate and are needed for online verification.
If you cannot find these details, check the apostille certificate carefully before contacting the person or organisation that arranged the legalisation.
Can you verify a paper apostille?
Yes. A UK paper apostille can be checked online using the GOV.UK verification service.
This can be useful if the apostilled document has been posted abroad or presented to a foreign organisation in person. The recipient can use the certificate details to check that the apostille was issued by the UK Legalisation Office.
The physical document should still be kept safe, because many authorities will want to see the original apostilled document, not only the online verification result.
Can you verify an e-Apostille?
Yes. A UK e-Apostille can also be verified online.
An e-Apostille is issued electronically and can be shared digitally. GOV.UK says e-Apostilles can be downloaded multiple times and shared digitally, such as by email, memory stick or by showing the document on screen.
Because the document is digital, online verification can be especially helpful for organisations that receive it by email or through an upload portal.
Who might need to verify an apostille?
A UK apostille may be checked by:
- foreign government departments
- registry offices
- immigration authorities
- employers
- universities
- professional regulators
- banks
- notaries
- lawyers
- courts
- business partners
- overseas agents
The person or organisation receiving the document can use the verification service if they want to check whether the apostille was issued by the Legalisation Office. GOV.UK also notes that recipients can verify an apostille if they want to check it was issued by the Legalisation Office.
Does verification mean the document will be accepted?
No. Verification confirms the apostille certificate, but it does not guarantee acceptance of the underlying document.
For example, the apostille may be genuine, but the receiving authority may still reject the document if:
- the wrong document was provided
- the document is too old
- a translation is missing
- the document should have been notarised first
- the authority requires the original rather than a copy
- further embassy or consular legalisation is needed
- the document does not contain the wording required by the authority
This is why apostille verification and document acceptance should be treated as separate checks.
What if the apostille cannot be verified?
If an apostille cannot be verified online, first check that the issue date and apostille number have been entered correctly.
Small typing mistakes can cause problems, especially with long reference numbers or dates entered in the wrong format.
If the details are correct and the apostille still cannot be verified, contact the organisation that arranged the legalisation or seek guidance before submitting the document abroad.
How to avoid verification problems
To avoid problems, make sure the apostille certificate is clear and complete before sending it abroad.
Check that the issue date and apostille number are readable. If you are sending a scan, make sure the image quality is high enough for the recipient to read all details.
For e-Apostilles, send the original digital file where possible rather than a screenshot. Screenshots may not contain all the information needed for proper verification.
Paper apostille vs e-Apostille verification
Both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles can be verified, but they are used differently.
A paper apostille is attached to a physical document. The recipient may check the apostille online but still require the original paper document.
An e-Apostille is issued digitally. The recipient may check the digital file and verify the certificate online.
Before choosing paper or digital legalisation, check which format the receiving authority accepts.
Common reasons for delays
Delays can happen if the apostille number is typed incorrectly, if the issue date is entered in the wrong format, or if the recipient is trying to verify a certificate that was not issued by the UK.
There may also be problems if the recipient has only received a poor-quality scan, a screenshot, or an incomplete copy of the apostille certificate.
If the document is needed urgently, it is worth checking that the apostille can be clearly read and verified before it is submitted abroad.
How 12 Apostille can help
12 Apostille can help you prepare and legalise UK documents for overseas use, including paper apostilles and e-Apostilles where appropriate.
We can also advise what details the recipient may need to verify a UK apostille and whether the document may require certification, notarisation, translation or further legalisation before submission.
This helps reduce the risk of delays and makes sure your document is easier for the receiving authority to check.
Final checklist
Before sending an apostilled UK document abroad, check that the apostille issue date and number are visible, that the document is complete, and that the receiving authority can verify the apostille if needed.
You should also check whether the authority accepts the document format, whether translation is required, and whether the apostille alone is enough for the destination country.
Verifying the apostille can help confirm that the certificate is genuine, but preparing the right document in the right format is still essential.