FCDO Legalisation for Estonia
Our experienced team specialises in notarising, apostilling, and legalising documents for Estonia, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements. Whether for business or personal use, we make the legalisation process straightforward and efficient.
FCDO Document Legalisation Process
When preparing documents for use in Estonia, whether for business, personal, or legal purposes, it is important to follow the correct legalisation procedure to ensure the document is recognised by Estonian authorities. Estonia, as a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, follows a simplified process for document legalisation known as the Apostille procedure. This makes the legalisation process much quicker and more straightforward, as it eliminates the need for additional embassy or consulate attestation.
The legalisation process for documents intended for use in Estonia involves a single step: obtaining an Apostille. As Estonia is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, documents only need to be apostilled to be valid for use in the country.
- Apostille at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO):
The first step in the process is to submit your document to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in the UK for an Apostille. The Apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the document, verifying the signature, seal, or stamp. The Apostille serves as an international verification that the document is legitimate and meets the standards for use in countries that are part of the Hague Convention, including Estonia.
2. No Further Attestation Required:
After your document has been apostilled by the FCDO, it is automatically recognised as valid for use in Estonia. Because Estonia is a member of the Hague Convention, no additional steps, such as consular or embassy attestation, are necessary. The Apostille alone suffices to ensure that your document will be legally accepted by Estonian authorities, whether for administrative, legal, or personal purposes.
Fees
The cost for obtaining an Apostille from the FCDO is £40 per document. This fee applies to all types of documents, whether they are personal (e.g., birth or marriage certificates) or business-related (e.g., contracts, powers of attorney, company registration documents).
Please note that this fee is exclusive of VAT and does not include additional charges that may apply for services such as expedited processing or courier services for the return of your documents.
Processing Times
The standard processing time for obtaining an Apostille from the FCDO is typically 48 hours. This is a quick and efficient service that allows you to have your document legalised within a short period, making it ideal for those needing documents urgently for use in Estonia.
However, in some cases, expedited services may be available for an additional fee, which can allow for even faster processing (sometimes same-day or next-day service). It’s important to plan ahead and allow enough time for delivery, especially if you are working with a strict deadline.
Contact Us for your FCDO Legalisation needs
For any assistance with notarisation and apostille services, our notary in london is here to help. Whether you need document certification, legalisation, or an apostille for use in Estonia, we ensure a seamless and efficient process tailored to the requirements of Estonia. Contact us today to discuss your needs, and let us guide you through every step with professionalism and care.