The situations that require apostilled UK divorce documents abroad are more varied than most people expect. Remarrying overseas is the most obvious one - but residency and citizenship applications, international custody arrangements, overseas property settlements, visa applications and cross-border legal proceedings all regularly require formal authentication of UK divorce records. Whatever your reason for needing one, the process is the same. What matters is which documents you have and whether they are in the correct format.

Which divorce documents can be apostilled

The FCDO can apostille any of the following UK court-issued divorce documents: a Decree Absolute or Final Order; a Decree Nisi or Conditional Order; a court-sealed divorce order.

The format requirement

The FCDO accepts divorce documents in the following formats depending on the document type. For a Decree Absolute or Final Order, the original document must carry a wet-ink signature or a wet-ink or embossed seal, along with a date from the issuing authority. If the original does not meet these requirements, or if you are submitting a photocopy, it must first be certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public before it can be submitted to the FCDO. The same applies to a Decree Nisi or Conditional Order - the original must carry a wet-ink signature or wet-ink or embossed seal with a date from the issuing authority, and any copy must be solicitor or notary certified before submission. Court-sealed divorce orders follow the same rule: original with wet-ink signature or seal and date from the issuing authority, or a solicitor or notary certified copy if the original does not meet that standard.

What cannot be submitted

Laminated documents are not accepted. Damaged or incomplete paperwork will be rejected. 

Countries requiring embassy attestation as well

For Hague Apostille Convention member countries, the apostille is the final step. For countries outside the Convention embassy attestation is also required after the apostille. Confirm requirements with your destination before submitting.

Get in touch

Call our team on +44 204 646 9400 to confirm the correct format for your divorce document and the full requirements for your destination.