Solicitor Signed Documents

What is a solicitor-signed document? A solicitor-signed document is any document that has been officially signed, and usually stamped, by a UK solicitor. A solicitor may sign a document to witness a signature, certify a copy, confirm a document as genuine, or sign a document in their professional legal capacity. Category: Legal document Can it be legalised? Yes. A solicitor-signed document can be legalised for use overseas with an apostille. Accepted formats for legalisation: The FCDO accepts solicitor-signed documents where the solicitor’s certification has been completed correctly. A solicitor may sign a document to confirm that they have: witnessed a signature; certified a copy as a true copy of the original; prepared and signed a legal document; confirmed a document as original or genuine. Does it require solicitor or notary certification? Yes. The document must be signed by a UK solicitor with a valid practising certificate. The solicitor should use their personal signature, not a company signature. Does the original document need to be submitted? Yes, in most cases the signed or certified document must be submitted for legalisation. Certified copies may be accepted where the solicitor has certified the copy correctly. Important notes: The solicitor must sign the document in the UK and include their printed name, company address and the date of certification. The certification should clearly state the action taken, such as witnessing a signature, certifying a copy or confirming a document as original. Many solicitor-signed documents can be apostilled directly by the FCDO if the solicitor is registered in the FCDO’s database of recognised legal professionals. If the solicitor is not recognised by the FCDO, further checks may be required, which can delay legalisation. Common uses: Solicitor-signed documents are commonly used for certified copies of passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic qualifications, statutory declarations, affidavits, contracts, legal agreements, powers of attorney and property-related documents. Is embassy attestation required? Yes, embassy attestation may be required for countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, such as the UAE or Qatar.