In the United Kingdom, Apostilles are issued only by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This is the sole government authority responsible for legalising UK documents for international use under the Hague Apostille Convention. Solicitors, notaries, or private agencies cannot issue Apostilles themselves they can only assist with preparation and submission.

The FCDO Legalisation Office verifies all documents before issuing an Apostille. They confirm that signatures, seals, and official marks are genuine and match their official register of UK authorities. Once verified, the Apostille certificate is attached, ensuring the document is legally recognised in Spain and other Hague Convention countries. This process provides reliability and legal acceptance for visas, residency, work permits, or official transactions.

The Apostille process is centralised, but the FCDO accepts documents from all UK regions:

• England & Wales: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool
• Scotland: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen (some documents may need prior notary certification)
• Northern Ireland: Belfast, Derry, Lisburn
• UK Overseas Territories: Some documents may require additional verification

This ensures applicants across the UK can access Apostille services without regional restrictions.