Apostilled documents may be required when a UK company owner needs company documents recognised for official or commercial use outside the United Kingdom. For non-resident founders, directors and shareholders, arranging document legalisation can involve several stages, including obtaining the relevant company documents, having them checked and certified by a solicitor, obtaining an apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and arranging delivery.
The Non-Resident Apostilled Documents service from Non-Residents UK Company Formation brings these stages together through one service. It is designed for non-resident UK company owners who need company documentation prepared and legalised for use internationally.
The service covers specific company documents for limited by shares companies and limited liability partnerships. Additional documents can also be considered where requested. Once the required information and delivery address have been confirmed, the documents are produced, checked by a solicitor, certified with a conformant apostille and dispatched by Royal Mail Recorded Delivery.
What Is a Non-Resident Apostilled Documents Service?
An apostille is an official certificate attached to an eligible document as part of the legalisation process for use overseas. In the UK, the Legalisation Office checks signatures, stamps or seals against its records and, where they match, attaches an apostille to legalise the document.
For a non-resident company owner, apostilled documents may be requested by an overseas organisation, business partner, financial institution or other authority. The exact requirements depend on the organisation and country receiving the documents, so it is important to establish what is required before arranging legalisation.
The service provides a structured route for having eligible company documents prepared, checked by a solicitor and submitted for FCDO apostille certification. It also includes delivery of the completed documents, making it suitable for company owners who do not want to coordinate each stage independently.
An apostille confirms the authenticity of the relevant signature, stamp or seal within the legalisation process. It does not by itself guarantee that every overseas organisation will accept a document for every purpose. GOV.UK recommends checking directly with the organisation requesting the document to establish whether legalisation is required and whether original documents, certified copies or a particular form of certification are needed.
What Is Included in the Apostilled Documents Service?
The service includes a defined set of company documents depending on the legal structure of the business. The standard documentation differs between a limited by shares company and a limited liability partnership.
Certificate of Incorporation
For a limited by shares company, the service includes a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation in the bound document. The Certificate of Incorporation provides formal evidence of the company's registration.
For an LLP, a copy of the LLP Certificate of Incorporation is included in the bound document. This provides incorporation documentation that can be prepared for the legalisation process.
A Certificate of Incorporation is a company document issued by Companies House and can be among the UK public documents eligible for legalisation. GOV.UK specifically identifies company certificates issued by Companies House as documents that can be legalised.
Memorandum & Articles of Association
For a limited by shares company, the service includes the Memorandum & Articles of Association. These documents form part of the company's constitutional documentation and can be relevant when an overseas organisation needs information about how the company is constituted and governed.
The documents are included in the bound set before the solicitor certification and FCDO apostille stages.
List of Current Company Officers
For a limited by shares company, the service includes a list of current company officers. This provides information about the company's current officers within the apostilled document set.
For an LLP, the service also includes a list of current company officers. This means the standard LLP documentation combines the incorporation document with current officer information.
Where an overseas recipient has requested evidence relating to the company's current management structure, this document can form part of the information supplied through the apostille service.
Solicitor Certification
The documents are checked and certified by a solicitor before the apostille stage. Solicitor certification is an important part of the process for documents that require certification by a UK public official before they can be legalised.
GOV.UK explains that documents other than certain public documents can be legalised when they have been certified by a UK public official, such as a UK notary or solicitor. The exact certification requirement depends on the document and the requirements of the organisation requesting it.
FCDO Apostille Certification
The service includes certification through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The FCDO Legalisation Office is responsible for legalising UK public documents for use overseas by checking the authenticity of relevant signatures, stamps or seals.
The apostille is attached after the relevant legalisation checks have been completed. The service therefore combines solicitor certification with the subsequent FCDO apostille process.
Royal Mail Recorded Delivery
After the documents have completed the certification and apostille process, they are posted to the customer using Royal Mail Recorded Delivery.
The delivery address is confirmed after the order has been placed. At that stage, the customer can specify where the completed documents should be sent and who they should be sent to.
What Other Documents Can Be Apostilled?
The service information identifies several additional company documents that may be considered for apostille. These include a list of directors or shareholders, share certificates and company minutes.
Additional documents can be requested before processing so that the operations team can review them. The service information states that there is no stated limit on the number of documents that can be certified or apostilled at one time, although additional documents are subject to review because the documents are sent using binders.
This makes it important to provide details of any additional documentation at the appropriate stage rather than waiting until the standard documents have already entered processing.
The appropriate document requirements should always be confirmed with the organisation receiving the documents. GOV.UK advises applicants to check whether the recipient requires original documents or certified copies and whether documents need to be signed or certified by a particular person.
Why Might a Non-Resident Need Apostilled Documents?
A non-resident company owner may need apostilled documents when an overseas organisation asks for formally legalised evidence relating to a UK company. This can arise when company documents are required for international business, corporate administration or other official purposes.
The specific requirement varies according to the receiving organisation and jurisdiction. Some organisations may require a Certificate of Incorporation, while others may request constitutional documents, information about company officers or other company records.
The apostille process is intended to authenticate the origin of eligible UK documents for use overseas. GOV.UK states that legalisation may be needed where an official in another country has asked for a UK document to be legalised.
The receiving organisation should therefore be contacted before ordering. This helps establish which documents are required and whether a paper-based apostille, e-Apostille or additional legalisation is needed.
Apostille Requirements for International Use
An apostille is not automatically a universal acceptance certificate for every overseas purpose. The organisation requesting the document determines what it needs, and the requirements can differ between countries and types of documents.
For countries where an apostille is the applicable legalisation route, the apostille can be used as the official certification attached by the UK Legalisation Office. For other circumstances, additional steps may be required after the UK legalisation process.
GOV.UK explains that applicants should check with the person or organisation requesting the documents before applying. This includes checking whether the recipient requires a paper-based apostille or whether an e-Apostille is acceptable, as well as whether the recipient requires one apostille for a group of documents or a separate apostille for each document.
Where a country requires further legalisation beyond the UK apostille, the customer should obtain the relevant instructions from the recipient or appropriate authority.
How the Apostilled Documents Process Works
The service follows a straightforward sequence from purchase through to delivery.
- Purchase the service: Order the Non-Resident Apostilled Documents service online.
- Confirm the delivery address: After the order, provide the address and the person to whom the documents should be sent.
- Request additional documents: If you require additional company documents to be considered, provide their details before processing.
- Document preparation: The required documents are produced for the apostille process.
- Solicitor certification: The documents are checked and certified by a solicitor.
- FCDO certification: The documents are submitted for certification with a conformant apostille through the FCDO.
- Document dispatch: Once completed, the documents are posted to the specified delivery address by Royal Mail Recorded Delivery.
The source service states that the FCDO generally takes 21–26 working days to process and deliver the documents to its office before the documents are posted onwards. Current government processing times can change, so customers should also check the latest GOV.UK legalisation guidance before placing an order.
Staying Compliant With Apostille Requirements
The most important step before ordering an apostille is to confirm the requirements of the organisation receiving the document. The recipient may have specific requirements concerning the type of document, certification method, number of documents or form of apostille.
UK documents must also follow the appropriate legalisation route. GOV.UK states that certain documents issued by public registries, including company certificates issued by Companies House, can be legalised. Other documents may need to be certified by a UK public official, such as a solicitor or notary, before they can be legalised.
There are currently paper-based and electronic apostille options through the official UK legalisation process. Whether an e-Apostille is suitable depends on the document and the requirements of the organisation requesting it.
Customers should therefore establish the required format before proceeding. The official GOV.UK application guidance explains the information required when applying for legalisation and how legalised documents are returned after the process.
Who Is This Service For?
The Non-Resident Apostilled Documents service is intended for UK company owners who need company documentation prepared for formal use outside the United Kingdom.
It can be relevant to:
- Non-UK resident directors of UK companies.
- Overseas shareholders of UK companies.
- Owners of UK limited by shares companies.
- Members or managers of UK limited liability partnerships.
- Companies asked to provide apostilled incorporation documents.
- Businesses requiring apostilled constitutional documents.
- Companies needing a current list of company officers.
- Customers requiring company documents for international use.
- Customers who have been asked to provide certified company records overseas.
The service can be particularly useful where the customer wants the document preparation, solicitor certification, FCDO apostille process and delivery handled through one service.
What Happens After You Buy?
- Order confirmation: Your order is confirmed after purchase.
- Delivery details: You provide the address and recipient details for the completed documents.
- Additional document requests: You can provide information about any additional company documents you want considered.
- Document preparation: The relevant company documentation is prepared.
- Solicitor checking and certification: The documents are checked and certified by a solicitor.
- FCDO apostille: The documents are submitted for conformant apostille certification.
- Dispatch: The completed documents are sent to the confirmed delivery address by Royal Mail Recorded Delivery.
Why Choose Non-Residents UK Company Formation?
Non-Residents UK Company Formation provides a structured apostille service for company owners who need UK company documents prepared for use overseas. The service brings document preparation, solicitor certification, FCDO apostille certification and delivery together within one process.
The service accommodates both limited by shares companies and limited liability partnerships. For a limited by shares company, the standard bound document includes the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association and list of current company officers. For an LLP, the standard bound document includes the Certificate of Incorporation and list of current company officers.
Additional documents can also be considered before processing. These may include documents such as lists of directors or shareholders, share certificates and minutes, subject to review before they are included.
The service is also structured around the practical needs of non-resident customers. Delivery details are confirmed after purchase, additional document requests can be raised before processing, and completed documents are sent by Royal Mail Recorded Delivery.
For company owners who have been asked to provide apostilled UK company documents overseas, the service provides a defined route through the certification and legalisation stages while keeping the documentation requirements clear.