UK -
Documentation and Resources

Request a replacement exam certificate or a certified statement of results if you've lost your original - check the list of old exam boards if your board no longer exists.

The historical death indexes for England and Wales (those from 1837 to 1957, digitised records) are available to search free of ge via the GRO certificate online ordering service on GOV.UK.

The General Register Office holds records of births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships and adoptions in England and Wales. Search birth and death indexes and order copies of registration certificates that can be subsequently certified by apostille or legalized for presentation abroad.
Priority Service: certificates despatched on the next working day.
Standard Service: certificates despatched on fourth working day following application (if GRO index supplied) or the fifteenth working day (if a GRO index reference has not been supplied)

Get a copy of a decree absolute or final order (divorce, dissolution or annulment)

Form PA1S: Use this form to obtain a grant of representation (probate) or a will sealed by the court and suitable for an Apostille stamp (England and Wales)

Use this tool to find out how to get the documents you’ll need to get married abroad. In the UK, certificates of no impediment to marriage (CNI) can be obtained from your local Register Office (Find a local register office).

Order birth, death, marriage, civil partnership, divorce and dissolution of civil partnership certificates from Scotland.

Order birth, marriage, adoption, civil partnership and death certificates from Northern Ireland.

Certified copies of Certificates of Incorporation can be obtained from Companies House for subsequent authentication by Apostille for presentation abroad. You can request to include additional certified facts on an incorporation certificate, including details of the directors,registered office address and good standing statement.

If you are a UK national or have previously lived in the UK and want to work with children overseas, then you might require an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC). The ICPC confirms whether or not the applicant has a criminal history and provides details, including relevant conviction and non-conviction data, including details of any information deemed relevant in the interest of child protection.

• See FAQs - International Child Protection Certificate

ACRO Police Certificates are for people who wish to emigrate or require a visa to live and work abroad. The certificate details whether or not you have a criminal record in the United Kingdom and is required as part of the visa process by the respective high commission or embassy.

• Police Certificates are issued individually to the person named on the application.
• Anyone who has lived or worked in the UK can apply for a Police Certificate.
• You will need to provide ONE document which clearly shows your name and your current address. This is where you live now and can be outside the UK.
• You can apply online or by post.
• Frequently asked questions: FAQs - ACRO Police Certificates

Apply for a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to get a copy of your criminal record. It’s available for people living or working in England and Wales and may be presented in certain countries as a criminal record certificate. A DBS certificate must be certified by a solicitor or notary before applying for an apostille.

AccessNI criminal record checks are for people living or working in Northern Ireland. To legalize a criminal record check or obtain an apostille, you must first ask AccessNI to sign and stamp your basic certificate.

A basic disclosure is a criminal record check for people who live in Scotland. It may be accepted by authorities in other countries as a criminal record certificate. You must complete your own basic disclosure application and submit to an identity check.

Apply for a duplicate citizenship certificate; Apply for a letter to confirm your immigration status; Apply for a letter to confirm you have never acquired British nationality.

Find a Solicitor is a free service for anyone looking for information about organisations or people providing legal services in England and Wales that are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Database to find contact details of law firms throughout Scotland. These firms are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.

Find a notary to prepare and authenticate powers of attorney for use overseas, deal with purchase or sale of land and property abroad, authenticate documents for immigration or emigration purposes, as well as company and business documents and transactions for foreign contracts or the formation of foreign subsidiary companies

Find a notary in Scotland

Find a notary in Northern Ireland

Use this service if you want to verify an Apostille certificate issued in the UK.