Service options
- By post — best value for non-urgent documents
- Hand delivery — the most popular option (often next day)
- Same day — urgent processing when available
- e-Apostille — for electronically signed documents within 5–48 hours
Document services
UK Apostille | FCDO — standard, urgent & electronic
Apostille via FCDO routes — by post, hand delivery, same day, and e-Apostille for suitable documents.
When do you need it for your company?
When proving the company before a government body, traditional bank or local partner that requests a ‘certified British document’. For day-to-day Wise or Stripe use, the official Companies House PDF is usually enough.
What we need from you
- A clear copy of the document and its type
- The country where it will be used
- Urgency level (standard / urgent / same day)
Frequently asked questions
What is a UK apostille and how do I get one?
An apostille is a certificate from the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that confirms the authenticity of the signature/seal of an official British document for use in a country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention. For the company's certificate of incorporation or Companies House documents, the appropriate copy is prepared and then submitted to the apostille service (post, in-person delivery, same-day, or e-Apostille depending on the type of document). The time is from a day to several days depending on the option. Eteform coordinates through partners in London — request a quote via /contact or WhatsApp with the type of document and the target country.
Do I need an apostille for the certificate of incorporation to use it in Saudi Arabia, Egypt or the UAE?
Usually yes if an official body, a bank or a local partner requests a 'certified British document'. The certificate of incorporation issued by Companies House is a British document; to use it before bodies in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE or elsewhere, a Hague apostille from the FCDO may be required, and sometimes a certified translation. Not every daily use (Wise, Stripe, Shopify) requires an apostille — the official PDF is usually enough. An apostille is more often required for government contracts, opening traditional accounts, or proving the company before courts/ministries. Eteform provides guidance and can coordinate the apostille service through partners in London — see the /apostille page.
What is the difference between an apostille and notarisation (by a notary)?
Notarisation by a Notary Public confirms the signatory's identity or the authenticity of a copy before a British notary. An apostille is a subsequent step from the FCDO that recognises that notarisation or the official document for international use. Some documents need both in sequence; certain government documents may accept an apostille directly. For countries not signatory to the Hague Convention, consular legalisation follows the notarisation. See /legalisation and /apostille depending on your case.
Do I need the Certificate of Incorporation to operate?
Yes, the certificate of incorporation is the official document that proves your company exists legally — banks, Stripe, PayPal and most platforms request it at registration. Companies House issues it electronically (PDF) as soon as the formation is approved, and a printed copy is optional in our packages that include printing. Keep the digital copy on your phone and in the cloud; you will not need to send the original to anyone in most cases. If you lose it, you can download a new copy free of charge from the Companies House register via your company number. Some Gulf clients think they need a certificate certified by an embassy — this is rarely required except for specific government contracts. For daily work with Wise and Stripe, the official PDF is completely sufficient.
المزيد في الأسئلة الشائعة.
