Apostille UK Documents for Argentina: The FCO Step-by-Step

If you are applying for an Argentine visa or residency, you will need to apostille your UK documents. There is no way around this. Migraciones will reject a document without an apostille. No exceptions, no appeals, no "but it is clearly genuine." The apostille is a £30 stamp that makes your UK document legal in Argentina, and you need it for everything.

This guide covers exactly how to get it done, what it costs, and which documents need it.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country. It is issued under the 1961 Hague Convention, which both the UK and Argentina have signed.

The apostille confirms that:

• The document was issued by a recognised UK authority
• The signature on the document is genuine
• The official who signed it had the authority to do so

Without an apostille, an Argentine authority has no way to verify that your UK birth certificate is real. With an apostille, it is accepted automatically.

Which Documents Need Apostilling?

For Argentine visa and residency applications, you typically need to apostille:

Essential:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Police certificate (ACRO)

Sometimes required:

• Degree certificate (for work visas)
• Professional qualifications
• Adoption certificates
• Divorce decrees

Not required:

• UK passport (it is already an international travel document)
• Driving licence (not usually needed for residency)
• Bank statements (these are not public documents and cannot be apostilled)

How to Get an Apostille from the FCDO

Step 1: Get the original document

You need the original document or a certified copy. For birth, marriage, and death certificates, order a new copy from the General Register Office (GRO) or the local register office where the event was registered. Do not use photocopies.

Step 2: Check if the document needs notarisation

Most UK documents do NOT need notarisation before apostille. The FCDO can apostille original GRO certificates, ACRO police certificates, and court documents directly.

If you have a non-standard document (a private contract, a power of attorney, a translation), it may need notarisation first. Check the FCDO website.

Step 3: Apply to the FCDO

The FCDO Legalisation Office handles apostilles. You can apply:

Online: Via the FCDO legalisation service (fastest method). Upload scanned copies, post the originals, and receive them back with the apostille attached.

By post: Send your documents to the Legalisation Office with a completed application form and payment.

In person: The premium same-day service requires an appointment at the FCDO office in Milton Keynes.

Step 4: Pay the fee

• Standard service: £30 per document
• Premium same-day: £75 per document
• Postal return: additional fee for special delivery

Step 5: Wait

• Standard: 5-10 working days
• Premium: same day (if appointment is available)
• Postal delays: add 2-3 days each way

Step 6: Translate to Spanish

Once apostilled, the document must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. In the UK, use a translator recognised by the Argentine consulate. In Argentina, use a public translator (traductor público) registered with the Colegio de Traductores.

The translation is attached to the apostilled document. Both travel together.

Timeline Planning

If you are applying for residency, start the apostille process at least two months before your application deadline. The chain is:

1. Order original documents (1-2 weeks)
2. Apostille from FCDO (1-2 weeks standard)
3. Post to Argentina or bring with you (1 week)
4. Translation in Argentina (3-5 days)
5. Submit to Migraciones

Total: 6-10 weeks from start to finish.

Common Mistakes

Using photocopies: The FCDO will not apostille a photocopy. You need the original or a certified copy from the issuing authority.

Forgetting the translation: An apostilled document in English is not accepted by Argentine authorities. It must be translated by a certified translator.

Waiting too long: The apostille process is not instant. Start early.

Not checking document validity: Some documents have expiry dates. ACRO police certificates are valid for 6 months from issue. If your residency application takes longer than that, you may need a fresh one.

Cost Summary

For a typical residency application (birth certificate, marriage certificate, ACRO), budget £300-£600 for documents and apostilles.

Worth reading next

• HMRC and Tax Residency for Brits in Argentina
• Retire to Argentina from the UK: A Realistic Guide
• Your First Week in Buenos Aires: The Practical Checklist