Apostille DBS Check

An apostilled DBS certificate is certified with an apostille stamp. The certificate and stamp ensure the document is legally valid and recognised in the Hague Apostille Convention member countries. The apostille guarantees the document’s authenticity for use in international legal matters.

A DBS certificate may need to be apostilled if you plan to use it in a foreign country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This ensures that the document is legally recognised in those member countries. Apostilling a DBS certificate can be necessary for various reasons, such as employment, immigration, or legal proceedings abroad. However, it’s important to remember that you cannot get an e-Apostille for a DBS certificate; it must be a paper-based apostille. If you need more information or assistance, please contact our Notary Helpline by calling 01384 889911 during business hours, completing our online form,

In the UK, you can get a DBS certificate apostilled through the Legalisation Office or FCDO-authorised service providers, such as Fatchett Legalisation. Our team is experienced in handling such requests, ensuring your document is processed efficiently and correctly.

In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through its Legalisation Office. When issuing an apostille, the FCDO will affix a certificate to the original documents to show that the document and signatures are genuine. However, authorised service providers like Fatchett Legalisation can facilitate the process on your behalf, making it more convenient and often faster. For further assistance or to initiate the apostille process for your DBS certificate, please get in touch with Fatchett Legalisation. Our knowledgeable team is here to guide you through every step of the process.

We can arrange apostille for basic disclosure, standard disclosure, and enhanced disclosure DBS certificates. However, it is vital that the DBS check is certified by a FCDO registered solicitor prior to submission to the Legalisation Office. This is a service that we can provide as part of our streamlined process.

The cost to apostille a DBS certificate can vary depending on the service provider and the urgency of the request. At Fatchett Legalisation, we offer competitive rates for apostille services. For detailed pricing, please contact our office or visit our website order form, where we regularly update our fee structure.

The time it takes to apostille a DBS check can vary. Typically, the process can take from a couple of working days to a couple of weeks, depending on the workload of the Legalisation Office. At Fatchett Legalisation, as a FCDO-registered provider, our express service takes three to five working days and we offer and expedited next day service to meet urgent requirements. The next day service takes one to two working days depending on the time of day that documents are received.

To obtain an apostille for a DBS certificate in the UK, follow these steps:

• Obtain the original DBS certificate.
• Submit the document to the Legalisation Office or authorised service, such as Fatchett Legalisation.
  Pay the necessary fees.
• Wait for the document to be processed and returned with the apostille

At Fatchett Legalisation, we can streamline this process, ensuring your documents are handled correctly and efficiently.

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The FCDO will not issue a DBS apostille if you do not provide the original DBS document. Rejections also happen when the DBS check has not been certified by a UK solicitor or if the signature on your DBS certificate is not recognised. Rejection typically occurs when the signing solicitor is not in their official database. Currently, there is no way to check the signature before submission. If the FCDO rejects your DBS certificate for apostille, contact the signatory’s office and ask the person who signed the certificate to register their signature with the FCDO.