Criminal Record Check Apostille Service
We assist with the certification of your Criminal Background check by a UK solicitor registered with the UK Foreign Office to obtain legalisation by way of Hague apostille.
Depending on the type of UK police background check we can obtain an apostille on the original certificate only such as ACRO or certify it by our solicitor as an original certificate – Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. Disclosure Scotland check is often certified by a solicitor when a signature from the DBS signatory is missing.
Getting an apostille for a criminal record check.
If you already have the DBS checks certified by a UK solicitor or Notary Public please note that not every solicitor is on the UK Foreign Office database. If the document is rejected due to a missing signature from the FCDO database please ask your solicitor to contact the FCDO registration team via email
The solicitor’s registration process should take no longer than 3 working days to complete.
If the time is sensitive we would recommend certifying your Criminal Background Record Check, and basic dbs check again with our solicitor who is registered with the legalisation department of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
We Apostille
- National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)
- Criminal Records Office (ACRO)
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Basic Disclosure
- Enhanced Disclosure
- Disclosure Scotland
- NIS Certificates
- Subject Access Reports
- Lost and stolen reports
Frequently Ask Questions
What is the difference between a DBS and an ACRO Police Certificate?
ACRO background checks are primarily used for international purposes, such as immigration, visa applications, or employment in another country.
DBS background checks are normally used for domestic purposes within the United Kingdom. The Disclosure and Barring Service is responsible for processing these checks and providing access to criminal record information for individuals working in specific sectors or roles, particularly those involving contact with children or vulnerable adults. DBS shows spent and unspent convictions.
You can apply for a basic criminal record check and your employer can apply for an enhanced DBS certificate. The enhanced DBS checks are run through the Police National Computer where data will be held until the person reaches 100 years of age.
Do I need an apostille for my Criminal Record Background Check certificate?
If you are planning on using your DBS check or ACCRO in another jurisdiction you may need to obtain an apostille. If you are starting a job overseas you should apply for an ACRO Police Certificate instead of a DBS apostille. The enhanced DBS check has no official expiry date and an apostille certificate can be issued by the Legalisation office at any time.
Do I need to Notarise my Criminal Record Checks before apostille?
ACRO must be original to apply for apostille. There is no need for solicitor certification or Notarization in most of the cases. Sometimes the ACRO police certificate needs to be notarised. For example, authorities in Portugal, Cyprus, or Italy request that your ACRO police certificate be notarized In those cases, our notary will notarize the original ACRO certificate before we obtain the Hague apostille. You do not need to certify your DBS, previously issued by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB check) prior apostille stamp.
Do I need to come to your London office for an apostille?
You can deliver your Criminal Background check certificate personally to our Westminster office, deliver it by courier, or send it by registered mail.
Do I need to attest my Criminal Record Check certificate at the consulate in London?
Super legalisation is required if the country where are you going to use your DBS or ACRO certificate is not a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing Foreign Legalization. Apostille and consular legalisation are a must.
Ordering a Criminal Record Check Apostille Service
We would be more than happy to help you with your Criminal Record Check Apostille Service
Original Criminal Record Check is required
Time frame: next day service available
Our fee: £50 GBP for assistance with apostille and £20 GBP for solicitor certification (if required).
Certification will be completed by a UK solicitor registered with the FCDO.