FCDO e-Apostille for New Zealand: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in New Zealand?

Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor verification, enhanced solicitor certification and FCDO apostille services for New Zealand.

We assist with UK educational, company, court and personal documents. For urgent cases, our express e-Apostille service may take a few hours to one working day.

However, completion depends on document checks, source verification and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in New Zealand

New Zealand and the United Kingdom are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention.

Therefore, an eligible UK public document can normally use an FCDO apostille instead of further legalisation by a New Zealand embassy or consulate. The Convention has applied to New Zealand since 22 November 2001.

Before starting, ask the New Zealand recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an FCDO e-Apostille or paper apostille
• separate apostilles for each document
• an NZQA International Qualification Assessment
• direct verification from the issuing body
• a document issued within a set period

These checks can prevent delays and unnecessary costs.

Does a UK Document Need New Zealand Embassy Legalisation?

Normally, no.

The UK FCDO issues the apostille for a UK document. Once the document carries a valid apostille, the Hague Convention removes the need for further diplomatic or consular legalisation in New Zealand.

However, an apostille does not replace the recipient’s other requirements.

A New Zealand authority may still request:

• the physical original
• a certified copy
• an NZQA assessment
• professional registration
• primary-source verification
• a recent police certificate
• a particular company-document format

Therefore, check the complete application requirements before arranging legalisation.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many types of UK documents.

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• GCSE and A Level certificates
• school records
• professional qualifications

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House certificates
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• commercial agreements

Court and legal documents

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court orders
• judgments
• consent orders
• probate documents
• legal declarations

Personal documents

• certified passport copies
• proof of address
• employment letters
• consent forms
• statutory declarations
• medical certificates
• professional certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates

The correct process depends on the document and its intended use in New Zealand.

What Is Solicitor Certification?

Solicitor certification is a formal statement signed by a UK solicitor.

For example, the solicitor may confirm that a copy matches the original document.

Basic wording often states:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

This wording may satisfy a simple certified-copy requirement.

However, it does not confirm that the issuing university, court, company or public body created a genuine document.

Therefore, a New Zealand university, employer, regulator or public authority may request stronger evidence.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond basic true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. That source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official digital platform.

We can then prepare wording such as:

“I further certify that I have verified the authenticity of this document with the issuing institution.”

As a result, the New Zealand recipient receives:

• a certified copy of the document; and
• confirmation that the solicitor checked its issuing source.

This approach may help where the recipient wants more than a visual comparison with the original.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate stages.

Verification means checking the document with its issuing source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after completing that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

• direct university confirmation
• HEDD
• Gradintelligence
• Digitary
• Parchment
• an official university portal
• a secure document-sharing service

Company-document checks may involve official Companies House records.

Court-document checks can include:

• the court seal
• the case number
• the issuing email
• the order format
• other official evidence

After completing the appropriate checks, our solicitor prepares and signs the certificate.

What Does the FCDO Apostille Confirm?

The FCDO checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records.

When the document meets the legalisation rules, the FCDO attaches an apostille. Qualification certificates, contracts, powers of attorney and certified copies may qualify after certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

However, an apostille does not verify every fact written inside the underlying document.

For that reason, enhanced solicitor certification can create a stronger evidence chain:

Source verification → enhanced solicitor certification → solicitor signature → FCDO apostille

The enhanced certificate records the source check. The apostille then authenticates the relevant solicitor’s signature.

FCDO e-Apostille for New Zealand

The FCDO offers paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.

For an e-Apostille, the document must be a PDF electronically signed by a UK solicitor or notary. The completed file can then be downloaded and shared digitally.

Our solicitor’s electronic signature is registered with the FCDO for e-Apostille purposes.

Consequently, we can prepare eligible PDFs for electronic legalisation.

New Zealand also issues both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles for New Zealand documents intended for overseas use. Nevertheless, the New Zealand recipient should confirm whether its own filing system accepts a foreign electronic apostille.

Ask the recipient whether it accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed version of the digital file
• a paper apostille attached to an original
• a file uploaded through an online portal

A paper apostille may work better where the recipient requires the physical original.

Express e-Apostille Service for New Zealand

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day through our express handling when:

• the document is clear and complete
• source verification has finished
• the PDF qualifies for an e-Apostille
• payment has arrived
• the FCDO requires no further checks

The FCDO’s published processing time for an e-Apostille is up to two working days. Signature checks or document queries can extend that timeframe.

Therefore, urgent clients should provide the document and the New Zealand recipient’s instructions as early as possible.

Educational Documents for New Zealand

UK educational documents may support:

• university admission
• postgraduate study
• employment
• immigration applications
• NZQA qualification assessment
• professional registration
• teacher registration
• salary assessment
• public-sector recruitment

Common documents include the Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript.

A Degree Certificate confirms the academic award.

An Academic Transcript records information such as:

• subjects studied
• grades achieved
• academic credits
• dates of attendance
• completion of the qualification

However, an apostille does not determine the New Zealand level of the UK qualification.

The applicant may also need:

• an NZQA International Qualification Assessment
• direct university verification
• a complete Academic Transcript
• a Diploma Supplement
• professional registration
• separate apostilles

NZQA International Qualification Assessment

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority, known as NZQA, evaluates many overseas tertiary and vocational qualifications.

Its International Qualification Assessment, or IQA, compares an overseas qualification with the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. The assessment identifies the relevant New Zealand framework level and qualification type.

An IQA may support:

• immigration
• employment
• professional registration
• salary assessment
• further study
• teacher registration

The result is an electronic recognition statement which can be checked through NZQA’s online verification service.

Apostille and NZQA Assessment Are Different

An FCDO apostille and an NZQA assessment perform different functions.

The FCDO apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

NZQA evaluates how the foreign qualification relates to the New Zealand framework.

Neither process automatically replaces the other.

An apostilled Degree Certificate does not show its New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework level.

Likewise, an IQA does not replace an apostille where an employer, regulator or authority separately requires legalisation.

Does Every UK Degree Need an IQA?

Not always.

Some overseas qualifications appear on Immigration New Zealand’s List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment. An applicant may not need an IQA for an eligible immigration application when both the qualification and awarding institution meet the published conditions.

The exemption list includes qualifying awards from the United Kingdom. However, the list is for immigration purposes only.

An exemption does not automatically determine the qualification’s status for:

• professional registration
• employment
• further study
• salary assessment
• teacher registration

Immigration New Zealand may also request an IQA in individual cases even where the qualification appears on the exemption list.

Therefore, check the purpose of the assessment before assuming that a UK qualification is exempt.

Documents for an IQA

The qualification holder may need to provide NZQA with:

• the final Degree Certificate
• the complete Academic Transcript
• proof of identity
• evidence of name changes
• Diploma Supplements
• programme information
• further evidence requested by NZQA

NZQA requires suitable evidence so it can identify the qualification, confirm the awarding institution and compare the award with the New Zealand framework.

For this reason, apostilling only the Degree Certificate may not be enough for the wider New Zealand process.

Ask the New Zealand recipient whether it needs:

• the Degree Certificate
• the Academic Transcript
• both documents apostilled
• an NZQA IQA
• direct verification from the UK university

UK Degree Verification for New Zealand

A basic certified copy may not satisfy every New Zealand recipient.

For stronger evidence, our solicitor can verify a UK qualification where the university provides a reliable verification route.

The process may include:

• reviewing the Degree Certificate
• checking the Academic Transcript
• accessing an official verification platform
• contacting the issuing university
• confirming the source of the qualification
• preparing enhanced solicitor certification
• electronically signing the PDF
• arranging the FCDO apostille

This process records how we checked the qualification.

However, it does not replace an NZQA assessment, university admission decision or professional registration where a separate process applies.

Overseas-Trained Teachers

Teachers trained outside New Zealand must normally complete a Teaching International Qualification Assessment before registration.

The Teaching IQA compares the overseas teaching qualification with the New Zealand framework and New Zealand Initial Teacher Education standards. The Teaching Council accepts overseas qualifications that NZQA has assessed as equivalent to suitable New Zealand teaching qualifications.

Applicants may need to provide:

• the teaching qualification
• the Degree Certificate
• official Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• course or qualification outlines
• evidence of teaching experience
• language-competency evidence
• police certificates
• certified copies

The Teaching Council states that official transcripts and related qualification documents may need certified copies.

Therefore, an apostille is only one possible part of the teacher-registration process.

UK Qualified Teacher Status

UK Qualified Teacher Status does not itself form an academic qualification that NZQA can assess.

Where an applicant relies on QTS, the Teaching Council may consider the person’s broader teaching background, qualifications, experience, appraisals and professional development. An IQA of the applicant’s other qualifications may still be required.

As a result, applicants should distinguish between:

• the academic teaching qualification
• QTS or professional status
• teaching experience
• Teaching Council registration
• the practising certificate

Each item can require separate evidence.

Professional Qualifications in New Zealand

New Zealand regulates a range of professions.

Applicants may need separate approval before working as:

• doctors
• dentists
• nurses
• pharmacists
• teachers
• engineers
• architects
• lawyers
• electricians
• psychologists
• other regulated professionals

The responsible authority may request:

• the Degree Certificate
• the complete Academic Transcript
• course or syllabus information
• practical-training records
• proof of UK registration
• a certificate of professional status
• direct source verification
• an NZQA assessment
• apostilled documents
• examinations or supervised practice

Obtain the regulator’s current checklist before legalising a large group of records.

Medical Qualifications and Primary-Source Verification

Doctors who rely on overseas medical qualifications must follow the Medical Council of New Zealand’s registration pathway.

The Council requires key international medical documents to undergo primary-source verification through EPIC, now accessed through the MyIntealth portal. EPIC contacts the overseas institution directly to confirm that the documents are authentic.

Depending on the registration pathway, applicants may need:

• the final medical diploma
• postgraduate qualifications
• internship evidence
• professional-registration records
• examination results
• a certificate of professional status
• identity documents
• primary-source verification

For UK and Irish medical graduates, a competent-authority registration pathway may apply where the applicant meets the relevant conditions.

An FCDO apostille does not replace EPIC verification or Medical Council registration.

Engineering Qualifications

Engineering New Zealand can assess overseas engineering credentials.

Its credential check considers whether the qualification holds Washington, Sydney or Dublin Accord recognition, or an accepted equivalent. The assessment checks education and study rather than professional skill or experience.

A credential check may support:

• immigration
• Chartered membership
• professional registration
• employer checks
• an education-provider assessment

Immigration New Zealand may also exempt certain Washington Accord or Sydney Accord qualifications from an IQA for relevant visa purposes.

However, an engineering credential check and an FCDO apostille remain separate processes.

Company Documents for New Zealand

UK company documents may support:

• registering an overseas company
• establishing a New Zealand branch
• incorporating a subsidiary
• transferring incorporation to New Zealand
• opening a corporate bank account
• investment transactions
• commercial contracts
• proving directors or authorised representatives

Official Companies House certificates may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

Company-created documents usually need an appropriate signature or solicitor certification before the FCDO can issue an apostille.

Examples include:

• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• company powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• authorised signatory letters
• commercial agreements

Requirements may differ between the Companies Office, banks, lawyers, accountants and other recipients.

Registering an Overseas Company

A company incorporated outside New Zealand may need to register on the Companies Office Overseas Register when it carries on business in New Zealand.

The company generally must register within 10 working days after starting its New Zealand business activities. It may operate as a New Zealand branch, establish a subsidiary or transfer its incorporation to New Zealand.

The registration process may require:

• a certified Certificate of Incorporation
• a certified copy of the company constitution
• director information
• New Zealand contact addresses
• details of the person authorised to accept legal documents
• information about the company’s New Zealand activities

The Companies Office specifically requires a certified copy of the overseas Certificate of Incorporation and a certified copy of the company constitution.

Certification of Companies House Documents

A UK company may provide an official Companies House certificate or a solicitor-certified copy.

However, the New Zealand filing agent should confirm whether it requires:

• an official Companies House-certified document
• UK solicitor certification
• UK notarisation
• an FCDO apostille
• a recently issued certificate
• separate certification for the constitution

A document may satisfy FCDO legalisation rules but still fail a separate Companies Office, bank or due-diligence requirement.

Therefore, the New Zealand recipient’s checklist should determine the final preparation method.

Company Documents in Another Language

Most UK company documents are written in English.

Therefore, they should not normally need translation for a New Zealand Companies Office filing.

However, when an overseas company’s constitution is not written in English, the Companies Office requires a certified translation.

This can also apply where:

• an annex uses another language
• a resolution was signed overseas
• a supporting document is bilingual
• material stamps or notes are not in English

Ask whether the whole document package must appear in English.

Powers of Attorney for New Zealand

A UK power of attorney may support:

• company registration
• banking
• property matters
• court proceedings
• estate administration
• tax matters
• representation before a New Zealand authority

The New Zealand lawyer or recipient should provide the required wording before the document is signed.

Depending on the transaction, the power may require:

• execution before a solicitor or notary
• witness details
• identity verification
• an FCDO apostille
• a physical original
• registration or filing in New Zealand

Some transactions may require notarisation rather than ordinary solicitor certification.

Therefore, do not rely on a general power-of-attorney template without checking the local requirements.

Court Documents for New Zealand

UK court documents may need legalisation for:

• divorce matters
• probate
• inheritance
• family proceedings
• civil claims
• debt enforcement
• commercial disputes

Examples include:

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court judgments
• consent orders
• Grants of Probate
• Letters of Administration

A court document carrying a recognised wet-ink court seal may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

By contrast, an electronic court document may first need solicitor verification and certification. GOV.UK distinguishes between court documents with wet-ink court seals and other records that require certification by a UK public official.

A New Zealand court, lawyer or authority may also request:

• the physical original
• a paper apostille
• a certified copy
• an affidavit
• local recognition proceedings
• a document issued within a set period

Confirm the format before selecting the e-Apostille route.

Birth, Marriage and Civil-Status Documents

UK civil-status documents may support:

• birth registration
• marriage matters
• divorce proceedings
• citizenship
• visa applications
• proof of family relationships
• inheritance

Common documents include:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• divorce orders

The New Zealand recipient may require:

• the original paper certificate
• an FCDO paper apostille
• a long-form certificate
• a recently issued copy
• supporting identity documents

General Register Office documents cannot receive an FCDO e-Apostille. They must use the paper apostille route when legalisation is required.

Police Certificates for New Zealand

A UK ACRO Police Certificate may support:

• immigration
• employment
• teacher registration
• professional registration
• residence applications
• character checks

The FCDO does not issue e-Apostilles for ACRO Police Certificates.

Therefore, an ACRO certificate must use the paper apostille route.

The New Zealand recipient may also request:

• the original certificate
• a recent issue date
• a paper apostille
• direct verification
• police certificates from other countries

Check the validity and issue-date requirements before ordering the certificate.

Does New Zealand Require a Translation?

Most UK documents are written in English.

Therefore, translation is often unnecessary for use in New Zealand.

However, Immigration New Zealand and other authorities require translations when supporting documents are not written in English.

For residence visa applications, all supporting documents must be in English or include a certified English translation. Visitor-visa applications also require full English translations, although most visitor-visa translations no longer need formal certification.

For other temporary-entry applications, police and medical certificates not written in English still require certified translations.

Immigration New Zealand Translation Rules

Immigration New Zealand applies different rules according to the visa category.

Residence visa applications

Documents must be:

• written in English; or
• accompanied by a certified English translation.

Visitor visa applications

All non-English supporting documents need a complete English translation.

However, translations other than those for medical and police certificates generally do not need to be certified.

The applicant must still identify the translator and provide details of the translator’s qualifications or experience.

Other visa applications

Certified translations are required for non-English:

• medical certificates
• police certificates

Translations should come from an acceptable translator or translation service and must not be completed by the applicant, a family member or an interested immigration adviser.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

The FCDO does not issue an e-Apostille for certain document types.

These include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• other General Register Office documents
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• Scottish and Northern Irish disclosure certificates
• fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

A New Zealand recipient may also require a physical document even where the document type is technically eligible for an e-Apostille.

Separate or Combined Apostilles?

Several related documents can sometimes form one solicitor-certified PDF.

However, this approach does not suit every New Zealand application.

Separate apostilles may work better when:

• the Degree Certificate and Transcript serve different purposes
• NZQA expects separate academic records
• a professional regulator requires separate documents
• each document will go to a different organisation
• the Companies Office needs individual company records
• the documents come from different issuers

GOV.UK advises applicants to ask whether the recipient needs one apostille for a group of documents or a separate apostille for each document.

Our Process

Step 1: Send the Document

Send us a clear PDF of the UK document.

Step 2: Provide the New Zealand Requirements

Include any instructions from the New Zealand:

• authority
• university
• employer
• professional regulator
• court
• bank
• lawyer
• Companies Office filing agent

Step 3: Check Whether Legalisation Is Needed

We first determine whether the recipient requires an apostille.

Step 4: Select the Correct Route

We check whether the document needs:

• an e-Apostille
• a paper apostille
• solicitor certification
• enhanced verification
• notarisation
• separate legalisation

Step 5: Verify the Document

Where possible, our solicitor checks the document with its issuing source.

Step 6: Prepare Enhanced Certification

We draft the appropriate certification wording and apply the solicitor’s electronic or wet-ink signature.

Step 7: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

Our team submits the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 8: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed electronic file or arrange return delivery of the paper documents.

The New Zealand recipient can verify a UK paper or electronic apostille using its issue date and apostille number.

Need an Apostille for New Zealand?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in New Zealand
• the name of the recipient
• any written document requirements
• whether an NZQA IQA is required
• whether professional registration is involved
• your required completion date

We will check whether an apostille is necessary and confirm the appropriate verification, certification and legalisation route.

Eligible express e-Apostille cases may take a few hours to one working day, subject to document checks and FCDO processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New Zealand accept an FCDO apostille?

Yes. New Zealand and the United Kingdom are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. An eligible UK document carrying an FCDO apostille should not need further New Zealand consular legalisation.

Does an apostilled UK document need New Zealand Embassy legalisation?

Normally, no. The Hague Apostille Convention replaces further diplomatic or consular legalisation for eligible public documents.

Does New Zealand accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

An e-Apostille may suit digital applications. However, the receiving New Zealand organisation should confirm that its filing procedure accepts an electronically signed PDF.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some New Zealand recipients may also want confirmation that the solicitor verified the document with the issuing university, company or public body.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the issuing university provides a reliable verification route.

Does an apostille replace an NZQA IQA?

No. An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. NZQA compares the overseas qualification with the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.

Does every UK qualification need an IQA?

No. Some UK qualifications may appear on Immigration New Zealand’s List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment. However, the exemption is limited to specified immigration purposes and conditions.

Does NZQA need the Academic Transcript?

An Academic Transcript is an important supporting record for many qualification assessments because it shows the subjects, grades, credits and study history.

Can you apostille an Academic Transcript?

Yes. We can review, verify and certify an eligible Academic Transcript before arranging the FCDO apostille.

Do overseas-trained teachers need a Teaching IQA?

Normally, yes. Before registration, an overseas-trained teacher generally needs a Teaching IQA comparing the qualification with New Zealand Initial Teacher Education standards.

Does UK QTS replace a Teaching IQA?

No. QTS is not itself an academic qualification that NZQA can assess. The Teaching Council may review QTS together with the applicant’s qualifications, experience and wider teaching background.

Do overseas doctors need primary-source verification?

Yes. The Medical Council requires key overseas medical qualifications to undergo primary-source verification through EPIC via MyIntealth.

Do English UK documents need translation?

Usually not. However, documents in another language must meet the translation rules of the New Zealand recipient.

What translations does Immigration New Zealand require?

Residence applications require certified English translations of non-English documents. Visitor-visa translations generally do not need certification, except for medical and police certificates.

Can an ACRO Police Certificate receive an e-Apostille?

No. An ACRO Police Certificate must use the FCDO paper apostille route.

Do UK birth and marriage certificates need a paper apostille?

When an apostille is required, General Register Office certificates must use the paper route because they are not eligible for an e-Apostille.

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. However, NZQA, a professional regulator, the Companies Office or another New Zealand recipient may request a separate apostille for each document.