Notaries London

What is Legalisation and what is Apostille?

Legalisation by a notary public is a process that involves verifying and certifying the authenticity of a document or a signature to make it legally acceptable for use in a foreign country. This process ensures that documents executed in one country are recognised as valid in another. Here’s a detailed explanation of what legalisation involves, why it’s necessary, and how it works:

What is Legalisation?

Legalisation is the process of authenticating a document so that it is legally recognised in a foreign jurisdiction. It involves a series of steps to verify the origin and authenticity of a document, ensuring that it complies with the legal requirements of the destination country. Legalisation is often necessary for official documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational diplomas, contracts, powers of attorney, and corporate documents.

Why is Legalisation Necessary?

The Legalisation Process

The legalisation process typically involves several steps:

1.Notarisation

2.Apostille (for Hague Convention Countries)

3.Legalisation by Embassy or Consulate (for Non-Hague Convention Countries)

Documents Commonly Subject to Legalisation