Legalisation of documents

About legalisation

Legalisation is the official confirmation to prove that a locally issued document is genuine. This will be in the form of a signature, seal,​ or stamp from one of the following:

• government official
• notary public
• Advocate or Solicitor

We can legalise documents but we can't translate them.

We also can't ensure that the contents are accurate.

How to get a document legalised

You should download and complete the request form below. If you want to post your documents and pay by debit / credit card,​ you must also download, print and sign the payment slip below.

You must provide the following:

• request form
• document(s)
• fee(s)
• payment slip (if paying by credit / debit card by post)

Return your request to us by post or visit us at the Passport Office at Customer and Local Services at La Motte Street.

Credit / debit card payment slip​

Legalisation of document form

Fees​

Standard service costs are £30 per document and additionally, a while you wait service is available at a cost of £75 per document.

You can pay by cash, cheque (payable to 'Treasurer of the States'), debit or credit card. ​There is an extra £1 fee for credit card payments.

Processing times

​Standard service: we aim to legalise a document under this service within one working day of receipt. Documents brought to our office before midday will normally be ready for collection the following morning, and those brought in after midday will be ready for collection the following afternoon. We can also return your documents by post.

Premium service: you can submit documents at our office on a while you wait basis. You can normally submit up to five documents ​for processing on this basis.

Examples of documents that we frequently legalise

We frequently legalise documents like:

• personal documents relating to: birth, education, marriage or death
• business documents including: certificates of incorporation and memorandum and articles of association and powers of attorney

For overseas weddings, different countries have their own requirements, so check carefully and well in advance.