How to legalise a document

What is legalisation?
Legalisation is the official confirmation that a signature, seal or stamp on a document is genuine. But having a document legalised doesn’t mean that its contents are accurate, and it does not carry any sort of official approval by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

And all we can do is legalise documents – we can’t translate them or offer any other services.

Notarial services
e.g. certification/witnessing declarations etc.
Consular staff in Commonwealth countries have no general powers under the Commissioners for Oaths Act 1889 to do notarial acts except oaths of allegiance under the British Nationality Regulations.  Services of this nature should be referred to persons who under local law are competent to perform them (e.g. Notaries Public).

How do we legalise documents notarised in Singapore?

1. Bring your notarised document to the Singapore Academy of Law.
2. Bring it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. Bring it in to the British High Commission Singapore and we will check the signature, seal and stamp (of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) on the document against our database.
4. After confirming that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seal and signature is as on our database, the notarial certificate will be signed and High Commission stamp put on it.

How do we legalise documents certified/legalised by other British consulates or legalised by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office?

1. If you have a document that requires further legalisation by the British High Commission Singapore because another authority in Singapore requires it, please let them know that the British High Commission will only legalise i.e. make an official confirmation that a signature, seal or stamp on the document is that of an official of a British consulate or the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
2. If they agree that a legalisation (and not a certification) from the British High Commission will suffice, please bring the certified/legalised document in to us.
3. The legalisation will only be done on the page that the official of the British consulate or the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has signed and placed their official seal or stamp.  No other stamp or seal will be made on any other pages that accompany that page.

Why do documents need to be legalised?
If you are going to use British documents overseas, for business or personal reasons, you’ll probably be asked to have your documents legalised before they can be accepted. The FCO stamp of authenticity gives the person you’re dealing with complete confidence that it’s the genuine article.

Authentication of UK birth certificates and educational documents
In certain cases, the foreign authority may insist on having your original birth certificate or educational documents authenticated.  In these cases, you must send the document to the FCO legalisation office in the UK by post.

The FCO can legalise most UK documents, but you should check the details at FCO: documents we can legalise.

In certain cases, the foreign authority may still require a further legalisation by the British High Commission Singapore.  In this case, you can bring the FCO legalised document to us.  We will confirm that the signature is that of an authorised FCO signatory and then legalise the document. (see second bulleted list above)

What documents do I need to legalise?
We can’t tell you that, because it depends on the local requirements. Only the authority or organisation you’re dealing with can give you that information. But you may be able to get advice from the Embassy, Consulate or High Commission of the country you’re travelling to.

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

How can I get my documents legalised?
You can send them to us by post or bring them to the Consular Section in Singapore.  If you send them by post, you must also fill in and send a credit card authorisation form.

Consular Section
British High Commision
100 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247919
Tel: (65) 6424 4200
Fax: (65) 6424 4264
Email: Consular.Singapore@fco.gov.uk