Alongside our immigration practice, Visa Professionals Ltd offers a range of document services frequently needed by individuals, families and businesses. As a solicitor-led practice regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, we are well placed to handle document legalisation, certification and preparation with the accuracy these matters demand. All services are available to both existing immigration clients and new clients.
Apostille Service
An apostille is a certificate issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) that authenticates a UK public document for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention (over 120 member states). We offer both paper apostille and e-Apostille services.
Paper apostille — original document submitted to the FCDO Legalisation Office; the apostille certificate is affixed and returned
e-Apostille — a fully digital apostille where the document is certified using our solicitor's Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), which is registered with the FCDO, and submitted electronically; the legalised PDF is returned digitally within 48 hours
e-Apostilles are accepted by an increasing number of Hague Convention member states including most Nordic countries, several US states, EU members and the UAE; we confirm acceptance with you before proceeding
Suitable for: birth, marriage and death certificates, educational qualifications, company documents, powers of attorney and more
Government FCDO fee applies in addition to our service fee
Not all countries or document types are eligible for e-Apostille. We advise on the appropriate format for your specific destination and document before proceeding.
Immigration authorities, courts and public bodies in the UK and abroad require translations of foreign-language documents to be certified by a qualified translator. We arrange certified translations through our professional translation partners.
Translations certified by a qualified professional translator confirming accuracy and competence
Suitable for immigration applications, court proceedings, notarial work and official submissions
Languages: please enquire for availability
Turnaround: typically 2–5 working days depending on document length and language
Certified translations can be combined with apostille or notarial attestation where required
A deed poll (also called a change of name deed) is the standard legal instrument used to formally change a person's name in England and Wales. We prepare unenrolled deed polls, which are legally valid for the vast majority of purposes including passports, driving licences, bank accounts and immigration documents.
Prepared by our solicitor and executed as a formal legal deed
Unenrolled — no registration at the Royal Courts of Justice required; fully legally effective for most purposes
Accepted by HM Passport Office, DVLA, banks, employers and public authorities
Suitable for adults and, with appropriate parental consent, children
Multiple certified copies available on request
Straightforward turnaround — typically same day or next working day
A notary public is an independent legal officer who authenticates documents and certifies signatures for use abroad. Notarial attestation is frequently required for documents to be used in legal, property or commercial transactions overseas, and is often the first step before obtaining an apostille.
Provided through our established notary partner
Certification of signatures, true copies of documents and execution of powers of attorney
Notarised documents can be further legalised by apostille or embassy attestation where required
Commonly needed for: overseas property transactions, foreign court proceedings, international business documents and powers of attorney
Appointments arranged promptly — please contact us to discuss your requirements
A certified copy is a copy of an original document that has been verified and certified as a true copy by a qualified professional. As a solicitor, Irfan Khan is authorised to certify copies of original documents, adding a statement of accuracy, signature and professional details.
Certified by our solicitor in accordance with standard professional practice
Accepted by the Home Office, banks, employers, local authorities and most UK institutions
Suitable for: passports, visas, driving licences, birth and marriage certificates, educational qualifications, utility bills and other identity documents
Particularly useful for immigration applications, right-to-work checks and sponsor licence compliance files
Same-day certification available in most cases — contact us to arrange
Many overseas jurisdictions — particularly in the Middle East, Asia and Africa — require documents to go through a full legalisation chain: notarisation by a notary public, followed by an apostille from the FCDO (or, for non-Hague countries, further embassy attestation). We manage this entire process on your behalf.
Full end-to-end management: notarisation, FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation where required
Suitable for Hague Convention countries (apostille) and non-Hague countries (embassy legalisation)
Commonly required for: overseas employment, international business, overseas property and court proceedings
We advise on the correct legalisation chain for your specific destination country
Coordinated through our notary partner and submitted to the FCDO on your behalf
If you have lost, damaged or never received your original UK civil registration certificate, you can obtain a certified copy directly from the General Register Office (GRO). We assist clients in locating the correct record and submitting the application accurately to avoid delays.
Available for: birth, death, marriage, adoption and civil partnership certificates registered in England and Wales
The GRO holds records from 1 July 1837
Standard service: £12.50 per certificate (dispatched approximately 4 working days after application, where a GRO index reference is provided)
Priority service: £38.50 per certificate (faster turnaround)
For certificates in Scotland, contact National Records of Scotland; for Northern Ireland, contact the General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI)
Government certificate fee payable to the GRO in addition to our service fee
We handle the search, application and correspondence with the GRO on your behalf