Decree Absolute Apostille UK

Remarrying abroad, or dealing with property or legal matters overseas after a divorce? Foreign authorities usually require your Decree Absolute (or Final Order) to be officially apostilled before they will accept it. We make that simple — including the PDF copies that courts now issue by email — and obtain the FCDO apostille on your behalf, so your document is recognised abroad without the stress of doing it yourself.

Please keep in mind that we don’t issue apostilles ourselves. We specialise in guiding your document through the correct official channels quickly and accurately, so you avoid the rejections and delays that catch most people out.

What is a Decree Absolute apostille?

A Decree Absolute (called a Final Order for divorces under the newer process) is issued by the court and legally confirms the end of a marriage. It is commonly required when remarrying abroad, updating records with foreign authorities, or handling overseas legal and property matters.

An apostille is an official certificate added by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirming your document is genuine, so it can be accepted in any country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Received your Decree Absolute by email as a PDF? That’s now the norm

Courts no longer routinely issue hard copies — most people now receive their Decree Absolute or Final Order by email as a PDF. A printed PDF cannot go straight to the FCDO for an apostille: it first needs to be certified by a UK solicitor. We arrange this for you for £20 per document, then submit it for the apostille — simply email us your PDF and we handle the rest.

Have an original court copy with a wet-ink signature?

If you hold a physical copy issued by the court bearing an original wet-ink signature or seal, no solicitor certification is needed — it can be apostilled directly. Post the original to our London office (or bring it in person) and you only pay for the apostille itself. If you’re not sure which version you have, send us a photo and we’ll advise.

How it works

• Email us your PDF Decree Absolute, or post/bring the original if it has a wet-ink signature.
• PDF copies: we arrange the solicitor certification (£20 per document).
• We submit the document to the FCDO for the apostille.
• Your apostilled Decree Absolute is returned to you, ready to use abroad.

We handle the entire process and keep you updated at every step.

Pricing

• PDF/emailed copy: £20 solicitor certification + apostille from £59 (standard, 3–5 working days) or £79 (next-day, received before 10am).
• Original wet-ink court copy: apostille only, from £59 or £79.

Example: a PDF copy on the next-day service is £20 + £79 = £99. An original wet-ink copy next-day is £79.

Who needs a Decree Absolute apostille?

• Anyone remarrying abroad who must prove their previous marriage has ended.
• Updating your marital status with a foreign authority or registry.
• Overseas property, inheritance or financial matters following a divorce.
• Visa and residency applications that ask for proof of divorce.

Good to know

If you’re remarrying abroad, you’ll often need your Decree Absolute apostilled alongside other documents — for example a Certificate of No Impediment or birth certificate — and you can add them all to one order. Some countries also require a certified translation; we can arrange that too. If you’ve lost your Decree Absolute, a copy can be requested from the court that issued it — get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Frequently asked questions

Q: My Decree Absolute is a PDF from the court — can it be apostilled?
A: Yes. This is now the most common situation. We arrange solicitor certification (£20) and then the apostille — just email us the PDF.

Q: Do I need solicitor certification?
A: Only for PDF or printed copies. An original court-issued copy with a wet-ink signature can be apostilled directly with no certification fee.

Q: I divorced under the new process and have a “Final Order” — is that the same?
A: Yes. The Final Order replaced the Decree Absolute for newer divorces, and the apostille process is the same.

Q: How long does it take?
A: Standard service is 3–5 working days. For documents received before 10am, our next-day service returns it the next working day.

Q: Will it be accepted in my destination country?
A: An apostille is recognised by all member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your destination requires full embassy legalisation instead, we can arrange that too.

Ready to get started?

Email us your PDF, post us your original, or get in touch and we’ll confirm exactly what you need.

WhatsApp: +44 75 3937 7776  |  Call: +44 20 7856 0115  |  Email: info@apostilleandcertification.com
Office: 17 Hanover Square, London W1S 1BN (Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm)