Documents
What Is GRO? Understanding Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates
GRO stands for the General Register Office. Put simply, it’s the government body that stores every
October 8, 2026
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Practical guidance on apostilles, embassy attestation and notary work, covering the questions that come up before documents go overseas. Find the right route, know what to expect and avoid unnecessary steps.
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UAE document attestation in 2026: the full route, step by step
The UAE sits outside the Hague Convention, so an FCDO apostille on its own is not accepted. This guide sets out the whole route — certification, apostille, then UAE attestation and MOFA — with the 10 to 12 working day timeline most orders follow.
- 9 min read · Updated August 2026
The route at a glance
1 Certification, where required 2 FCDO apostille 3 UAE embassy attestation 4 MOFA and secure return
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Most read this month
What people want to know before they legalise
The questions people bring us most often
- 01
How long does an apostille take in 2026?
Timing depends on which document you need and what service you use. Some documents qualify for next-day turnaround. Others need certification or notarisation first, which adds time. Always check the route before you send your originals.
- 02
UAE attestation costs, broken down
UAE attestation costs vary by document and by the route it takes. Legalisation4You's current prices start at £160 for embassy-only work and £225 for certification, apostille and embassy attestation together. Commercial documents cost more.
- 03
Can a photocopy be apostilled?
A plain photocopy can't be apostilled on its own. If a copy is accepted, a solicitor or notary usually needs to certify it first. This depends on the document, so check before you get a copy made.
- 04
Powers of attorney for overseas property
A power of attorney for property abroad often needs witnessing, notarisation, certification and an apostille before you can actually use it. The exact steps will vary according to the country and who is to receive the document. Check the requirements first.
- 05
Which countries accept an apostille alone?
Countries which are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention generally accept an apostille in lieu of embassy legalization. However, the requirements differ depending on the document and its destination so always check whether you need certification, translation or registration too.
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