If you’re planning to move abroad and are worried about the cost of apostilling your birth certificate, the good thing is that there are a couple of ways for you to bring down the cost.
What’s a Birth Certificate Apostille and Why Do You Need One?
If you’ve just been requested to provide an apostilled birth certificate, you may be wondering what in the world that means. Well, a birth certificate apostille is an official seal or stamp along with a signature that confirms the authenticity of your documents.
Take the case of a birth certificate – when presented to officials in a foreign country, there simply isn’t a way to verify whether the information is true. However, by including an official confirmation from the country of origin, the recipient country can recognize and approve the documents. In the UK, apostilling is usually handled by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
What Costs Are Involved, and How Can You Lower Them?
Typically, the costs of apostilling a birth certificate in the UK will include government fees, shipping and handling fees, and service fees. When navigating the entire process on your own, the process can be puzzling and annoying.
That’s why using an accredited service provider such as London Apostille to get an apostille for a UK birth certificate is the right way to go. Not only do they understand the requirements and associated fees, but they also know how to keep the cost low.
Nonetheless, here are some tips that will help you save money on birth certificate apostilling:
1. Check out Different Apostille Service Providers
When getting a birth certificate apostille, make sure to research different apostille services so you can choose the most reputable and affordable option. Here are some quick steps you should follow:
- Create a list of possible apostille services
- Study the reputation and customer feedback of each provider
- Weigh the pricing structures and fees of the most qualified providers
- Find out the expected turnaround time of each of the most qualified providers
- Determine the level of experience that each of the providers has with apostille processes for your country of interest
Depending on your situation, your research process may be easier or more complex than the one above. Just make sure not to leave any stone unturned, and don’t choose a provider just because they offer the cheapest services.
2. Use a Third-Party courier service
Third-party services often sound like a ticking bomb, but only if you keep using services that haven’t been tried and tested. If there are reliable third-party courier services in your area, don’t be afraid to use one.
The only downside to such services is that they are a tad slower and need more rigorous planning if you want your plans to succeed. So if you’re not pressed for time (which should be the case if you plan early), you can save some bucks by using a third-party courier.
3. Act Early Enough
Begin the apostilling process as soon as you know that your documents need to be apostilled for use in a foreign country. That way, you won’t have to use expedited services, thus you’ll save money and enjoy a worry-free process.
Besides, submitting your documents early enough makes it easier to handle unexpected delays. Where possible, always track the progress of your application and follow up if you think it’s taking longer than expected.
4. Request Multiple Copies
If possible for your situation, it’s always a good idea to request multiple copies of your birth certificate apostille so you can save time and money in the future. Before doing so, check the requirements to make sure that you can get copies and that you can use them in the country of interest.
In most cases, however, this isn’t necessary, unless you lose your first apostilled document. All you have to do is assess your situation to determine whether this step will be necessary.
Get it Done Right With London Apostille
The birth certificate apostille process can be daunting, but that needs not be the case. With the tips mentioned in this article, you can save more money for your process and still get the same results that you would if it cost more.
If you’re trying to make your process even simpler, consider using London Apostille for all your birth certificate apostille in the UK. Thanks to a streamlined process with a flexible service package to meet your financial needs, you can relax and let them handle everything for you while you concentrate on the other preparations.
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