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.

How do we legalise documents?

First we check the signature, seal or stamp on the document against our database. Then we attach an apostille (the legal term for the legalisation certificate) to confirm that it is genuine.

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.

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.

How to legalise an Arabic Lebanese document for use in the UK?

The document will first need to be translated by a sworn translator and the translation taken to a notary public to confirm (legalise) the sworn translator's signature. Then both taken to the Palais de Justice to legalise the notary public's signature. This is followed by obtaining he Ministry of Foreign Affairs signature which will confirm the signature of the Palais de Justice. Finally the British embassy will need to confirm the ministry of foreign affair's signature.

How to legalise documents issued by a University in the UK or any other educational sector.

The documents will need to be to be checked and signed by the British Council in Beirut and then brought to the Embassy so we can legalise their signature. Check the embassy and British Council websites for location and opening time details.

Legalisation of UK documents for use in Lebanon

We can legalise most UK documents as long as they bear an original signature, seal or stamp from a UK public organisation or official

This process is carried out by the Legalisation Office at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and not by this Embassy. Details of the process are on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/legalisation

Applicants can send their documents directly to:

The Legalisation Office

Norfolk House (West)

437 Silbury Boulevard

Milton Keynes

MK9 2AH

Tel: 01908 295 111

Fax: 01908 295 122

Email: LegalisationOffice@fco.gov.uk

Once the FCO has legalised the signature/stamp/seal on the UK document you may find that to use the document in Lebanon the signature of the

FCO also needs to be legalised. This can be done either, by this British Embassy in Beirut ( for a fee of £27) and afterwards by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lebanon. Or by the Lebanese Embassy in the UK.

How to legalise documents stamped or signed in Jersey or Guernsey for use in Lebanon?

Neither the Embassy nor the Foreign and Commonwealth Office legalise signatures or stamps made by the Govenor's office in Jersey. You will need to contact the Lebanese authorities about using documents legalised by the authorities in Jersey.

How to legalise documents from British Overseas Territories?

You can get these legalised by the Legalisation Office

Documents originating or executed in a British Overseas Territory can only be legalised if they have already been legalised by an official of the Government in the Territory concerned. The British Overseas Territories are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antartic Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena and Dependencies, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands.

How can I get more information?

Go to the FCO website to know more about legalisation