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Coronavirus - Impact on Delivery Times

Jan 31, 2020 By Coronavirus, apostille, Delivery, Delays, China 0 comments

As of January the 23rd the authorities in Wuhan, China have imposed a city-wide quarantine due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus. As a result, there are expected to be transport restrictions for both imports and exports in Wuhan, the surrounding regions and potentially China as a whole.

This will likely impact return delivery time scales for both our DHL and international airmail services for items being sent to China. The extent of this remains to be seen. Please bear this in mind when sending your documents to us and also when asking for your order to be returned to China.

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Apostille Service - Christmas Opening Times

Nov 21, 2019 By Christmas 0 comments

The run-up to Christmas is often a busy period for the Apostille Service. Many customers contact us trying to legalise documents before the holiday closures begin. We recommend all customers submit documents to us as soon as they can. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office, solicitors, embassies and other government offices will all close for statutory holidays and many do not reopen until the New Year. 

Below you will find more information on our services and estimated processing times.

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What is a Certified Translation?

Oct 09, 2019 By Certified Translation, Official Translation 0 comments

When presenting documents overseas the need for a translation will often arise. Not all translations will be accepted at face-value and different authorities overseas will stipulate how they expect a translation to be prepared.

In many cases we are asked if we can provide a ‘certified’ or ‘official’ translation. The meaning of this is contentious as different translation systems exist in countries with different legal frameworks.

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Who can Issue the Apostille?

Apr 30, 2019 By apostille, FCO, legalisation 0 comments

When applying to legalise a document with the apostille for the first time it can be confusing as to who can actually do this. It is a common misconception that the apostille can be issued by a solicitor, a notary or a registrar. Whilst such individuals may claim to be able to do so this can be misleading.

The UK apostille is issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Any individual or organisation obtaining the apostille for a given document will ultimately be submitting this to the FCO.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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Can the UK Apostille be issued to a Document Prepared in a Foreign Language?

Mar 20, 2019 By apostille, translation, legalisation 0 comments

As per the terms of the Hague Convention, the Apostille is issued to a document originating from one country in order for this to be legally recognised in another member country. For example, a UK birth certificate that has been issued with the apostille should be legally recognised in the USA.

Overall, this does prove to be an effective system to simplify the circulation of documents throughout countries that are part of the apostille convention. However, one clear caveat of this is the fact that there is not a common language shared by all of these countries.

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