Since January 2019, many Decree Absolutes have been issued digitally as downloadable PDFs. Whilst these documents are legally valid in the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will not Apostille a printed PDF.
Instead, the Court must issue either:
- a Wet Sealed Decree Absolute, where the Court physically applies an official Family Court seal; or
- a Certified Decree Absolute, where a Judge certifies the document as a true copy by signing and dating it.
Working full-time in a busy hospital, Dr E simply did not have the time to work out which document he needed, contact the Court or arrange the Apostille himself.
After searching online for information about obtaining a Decree Absolute from the South West Divorce Centre, Dr E found UK Document Services.
He wanted one experienced company to manage the entire process, ensuring the correct Court document was obtained, legalised and delivered safely to Italy without delaying the legal completion of his business investment.
How to Get an Apostilled Decree Absolute
Dr E completed our secure online Divorce Certificate Order Form using the information he already knew about his divorce. As he required the document for use overseas, he simply selected the Apostille option before making his secure online payment. That was all he needed to do.
From that point onwards, UK Document Services handled every stage of the application.
We reviewed Dr E’s requirements and immediately recognised that his PDF Decree Absolute could not be Apostilled.
Our team contacted the Court, obtained the correct sealed version of the Decree Absolute, arranged for it to be legalised by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and carefully checked the completed document before arranging international delivery to Italy.
Throughout the process, Dr E only dealt with one point of contact at UK Document Services.
Within a short time, Dr E received his Apostilled Decree Absolute in Italy.
The document was accepted by the Italian notary, allowing the legal paperwork to proceed without interruption and enabling him to complete his investment in the medical practice.
Apostilled Decree Absolute Dispatch Times
- Standard Service – dispatch is up to 20 working days
Apostille Dispatch Times
- Standard Service – dispatch is up to an additional 7 working days.
NB. Delivery time should be added to the stated estimated dispatch date.
Is a PDF Decree Absolute Legal?
Yes.
A PDF Decree Absolute issued by the Court is a legally valid document within the UK.
However, if the document is to be used overseas and requires an Apostille, a printed PDF will be rejected by the FCDO.
UK Document Services will establish whether a Wet Sealed Decree Absolute or a Certified Decree Absolute is required before requesting the correct document from the Court.
Once the Apostille had been completed, Dr E selected the delivery option that best suited his timescale:
- 1st Class Airmail (10-12 Days)
- International Tracked Service (7-10 days)
- Courier (1-2 days) – The most reliable delivery option
How UK Document Services helps:
Rather than trying to understand Court procedures, FCDO requirements and Apostille regulations, Dr E placed one simple order and left everything to us.
UK Document Services:
- determined which version of the Decree Absolute was required;
- dealt directly with the Court on his behalf;
- arranged the Apostille through the FCDO;
- ensured the document complied with overseas legal requirements;
- organised secure delivery to Italy; and
- provided one dedicated point of contact from beginning to end.
Need an Apostilled Decree Absolute for use overseas?
Whether you have a PDF Decree Absolute or need a replacement from the Court, UK Document Services can obtain the correct document, arrange the Apostille and deliver it safely anywhere in the world.
Simply complete our secure online Divorce Order Form and we’ll take care of the rest.
