Can I use a UK birth certificate abroad?

Using an Official UK Birth Certificate

An official UK birth certificate is legally recognised within the UK and by UK official bodies abroad. Typically, you can present the certificate as-is to any British Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission worldwide.

For instance, if you are using the certificate to apply for a British passport, no further validation or legalisation is required.

When Legalisation is Required

If you need to present a UK birth certificate to a non-British government office, institution, or company, you must have the certificate legalised before it can be accepted.

The legalisation process varies based on the requirements of the country where the certificate will be used:

1. Countries Requiring an Apostille
   • Some countries only require the certificate to have an Apostille attached.
   • An Apostille confirms that the document has been genuinely issued in the UK.
2. Countries Requiring Embassy Authentication
   • Other countries may need additional levels of validation through their own embassy network. This process may be referred to as Attestation or Legalisation.

How We Can Help

We provide support for all types of legalisation:

• When ordering a replacement birth certificate, you can choose to add an Apostille directly to your order. This option is available on the order page.
• For countries requiring further embassy authentication, contact us for tailored assistance. Our team will handle the complexities for you.

For more details or help, get in touch with us today!