Legalisation

A document notarised by a notary public may require further authentication by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and/or the Embassy or Consulate of the country in which the document is to be used.   This process is known as legalisation. It is the official confirmation by which the state authority of one country satisfies the state authority of another country that the signature of public officer, such as a notary, is genuine.  Legalisation requirements differ depending on the recipient country. For example, if the receiving country is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Convention, the document will require an Apostille. If the receiving country is not a signatory, the document may require legalisation by the Embassy or consulate.