Understanding the Difference
Both e-Apostilles and paper apostilles serve the same purpose: authenticating UK documents for international use. However, they differ significantly in process, speed, and applicability. Understanding which one you need is crucial for successful document legalisation.
Comparison at a Glance
e-Apostille
- Digital PDF format
- 24-hour turnaround
- No posting required
- Online verification
- Lower cost
Paper Apostille
- Physical certificate
- Several days processing
- Original document required
- Universal acceptance
- Required for certain documents
Documents Suitable for e-Apostille
Once electronically notarised, these documents can be e-Apostilled:
- Degree certificates from UK universities
- Academic transcripts and school reports
- Companies House documents
- Powers of attorney
- Court documents
- Certain HMRC documents
Documents Requiring Paper Apostille
These documents must have a traditional paper apostille:
- Birth, death, marriage, civil partnership, and adoption certificates (GRO)
- ACRO police certificates for England and Wales
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificates
- Disclosure Certificates for Scotland and Northern Ireland
How to Decide
When deciding between an e-Apostille and paper apostille, consider:
- Document type: Some documents can only receive paper apostilles.
- Destination acceptance: Verify the recipient accepts e-Apostilles.
- Timeline: If you need it urgently, e-Apostille is much faster.
- Cost: e-Apostilles are typically more cost-effective.
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