Certifying Educational Certificates for Use Abroad: GCSEs, A-Levels, Degrees & Professional Qualifications

When Do You Need a Notary Public to Certify Educational Certificates?

If your documents are staying within the UK, a solicitor’s certification may sometimes be sufficient.

However, if you are sending documents overseas, you will usually need a notary public, particularly where the documents will be formally relied upon.

You may find yourself searching for:

• “certify degree certificate for abroad”
• “notary public for university certificate UK”
• “certified copy GCSE certificate for visa”

A notary does not simply certify a copy; they may also be required to take reasonable steps to ensure that the document itself is authentic and properly issued, particularly where it will be relied upon by foreign authorities. This additional level of scrutiny is what distinguishes notarisation from standard certification.

The Legalisation Process (If Required)

In many cases, certified educational certificates must also be legalised before they are accepted abroad.

1. Notary Certification

At this stage, the notary ensures not only that the document is correctly certified, but—where necessary—that the qualification has been properly issued by the relevant university, school, or professional body. This provides a reliable foundation for the legalisation process.

2. Apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The apostille confirms the authenticity of the notary’s signature.

3. Embassy Legalisation (if applicable)

For some countries, further legalisation is required before the document will be accepted.

Which Countries Require Legalisation?

Requirements vary depending on the destination country.

Countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention will generally accept an apostille.

Others may require full embassy legalisation.

Certifying Professional Qualifications

In addition to academic certificates, many clients require certification of professional qualifications when relocating abroad.

This may include:

• Accountancy qualifications (e.g. ACCA, CIMA)
• Legal qualifications
• Medical or healthcare credentials
• Engineering certifications

These are often required for:

• Employment abroad
• Licensing or regulatory approval
• Skilled worker visa applications

In many cases, overseas regulators will expect confirmation not only that the document is genuine, but that the qualification itself has been properly awarded by the relevant professional body.

Why Verification of Qualifications Matters

When documents are being used overseas, receiving authorities often have no direct way of confirming whether a qualification is genuine.

For this reason, notarial certification may include verification with the issuing institution, ensuring that:

• The qualification was validly awarded
• The results and details are accurate
• The document can be relied upon without further investigation

This is particularly important for:

• Employment visas
• Professional registrations
• Regulated industries (e.g. legal, medical, financial services)

Without this level of assurance, documents may be delayed, rejected, or subject to additional checks abroad.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Certifying Certificates

Delays often arise due to simple but avoidable issues:

• Providing poor-quality or incomplete copies
• Not having access to the original certificate
• Name discrepancies (e.g. maiden vs married name)
• Assuming certification alone is sufficient when legalisation is also required
• Assuming a simple copy certification is sufficient without verifying the underlying qualification

How Long Does It Take?

Typical timeframes:

• Certification / notarisation: same day or next day
• Apostille: 2–5 working days
• Embassy legalisation: varies depending on the country

How ARG Notary Can Help with Certifying Certificates

At ARG Notary, we assist individuals and professionals with:

• Certification of educational and professional certificates
• Independent verification of qualifications where required
• Notarial authentication for international use
• Apostille and legalisation through the
  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Clear advice on country-specific requirements

We ensure your documents are not only correctly certified, but also capable of being relied upon by overseas authorities without delay or challenge.