Iraq Embassy in London Legalisation

UK documents intended for official use in Iraq commonly require legalisation before they can be accepted by Iraqi authorities.

For many personal documents, the process involves obtaining an FCDO Apostille before submission to the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in London.

Commercial documents follow a more detailed procedure. They normally require FCDO legalisation and certification through the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) before the appropriate Iraqi Embassy or Commercial Attaché stage. The Iraqi Embassy’s published legalisation guidance confirms the additional requirements for commercial documents.

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with the complete UK legalisation process or with the Iraq Embassy legalisation stage only, depending on the document.

Iraq Embassy legalisation service at a glance

Document type	Typical route
Personal documents	FCDO Apostille → Iraq Embassy legalisation
General corporate documents	FCDO Apostille → Chamber certification → Iraq Embassy legalisation
Commercial Powers of Attorney	FCDO → Chamber route → Iraq Embassy
Certificate of Origin and Invoice	FCDO/Chamber preparation → Iraqi Commercial Attaché
UK educational documents	Iraqi Cultural Attaché verification and attestation
Private Power of Attorney	Personal attendance may be required

The correct process should always be established from the individual document rather than the destination country alone.

What is Iraq Embassy legalisation?

Iraq Embassy legalisation is the consular authentication of a document for official use in Iraq.

An FCDO Apostille is not necessarily the final stage. Depending on the document, Iraqi consular or commercial authentication may still be required.

For a typical private UK document, the chain can be:

UK document → FCDO Apostille → Iraq Embassy legalisation

Commercial documents generally require additional Chamber processing.

Which documents can require Iraq Embassy legalisation?

Legalisation can apply to personal, corporate and commercial documents.

Personal documents

Examples include:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce documents
• Death certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• Medical certificates
• Statutory declarations
• Affidavits
• Consent letters
• Powers of Attorney
• Change-of-name documents
• Other UK public documents

The Iraqi Embassy currently lists a £15 legalisation fee for general documents. Its separate birth and death certificate guidance also records a £15 legalisation charge for those document types.

Corporate and commercial documents

Business documents can include:

• Certificates of incorporation
• Memorandum and articles of association
• Companies House documents
• Commercial Powers of Attorney
• Authorisations of agent
• Board resolutions
• Agency agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Commercial contracts
• Certificates of Free Sale
• Health certificates
• Trademark certificates
• Commercial invoices
• Certificates of Origin

LCCI accepts commercial documents such as Powers of Attorney, distributor agreements, Certificates of Free Sale, commercial contracts and incorporation documents for Arab-British Chamber processing.

Commercial document legalisation for Iraq

Commercial documents are subject to stricter requirements than ordinary private documents.

The Iraqi Embassy states that commercial documents submitted for legalisation must first complete the applicable UK authentication process and Arab-British Chamber certification.

Where the application is handled through the London Chamber route, the sequence will generally involve:

Document preparation → FCDO Apostille → London Chamber processing → Arab-British Chamber certification → Iraqi legalisation

Requirements vary for Certificates of Origin and commercial invoices, which are dealt with through the Iraqi Commercial Attaché.

Iraq commercial document fees

The current Iraqi Embassy legalisation fee for an ordinary commercial document is:

£160 per document

This is the Iraqi legalisation fee and does not represent the complete cost of the Chamber process. The Embassy’s current legalisation page lists £160 for commercial documents.

Additional LCCI and Arab-British Chamber charges apply.

LCCI currently lists an Arab-British Chamber certification fee of £58.50 including VAT, alongside any applicable document, handling, Embassy and return-delivery charges. Exact legalisation costs therefore depend on the route and document type.

For that reason, we recommend obtaining a document-specific quotation rather than relying on a fixed all-inclusive commercial fee.

Private document legalisation fee

The current Iraqi consular fee for a general private document is:

£15 per document

The Embassy’s published fee information continues to list £15 for general-document legalisation.

FCDO, solicitor, notarial, courier and professional service charges are separate where applicable.

Certificates of Origin and commercial invoices

Certificates of Origin and their accompanying invoices follow a specialist commercial route.

Current ABCC Iraq requirements list:

• Certificate of Origin: £100
• Commercial Invoice: £100
• Other commercial document: £160

The Iraq documentation requirements were last updated by the ABCC on 7 July 2026.

A Certificate of Origin and Invoice should therefore not be treated as one £100 transaction unless the relevant authority specifically confirms that arrangement.

Certificate of Origin requirements for Iraq

The Iraqi Commercial Attaché deals with Certificates of Origin and accompanying invoices.

Current ABCC guidance states that the documents must first complete the required FCDO and Arab-British Chamber stages before final legalisation by the Iraqi Commercial Attaché.

The commercial invoice should be issued by a company based in the UK. Its UK address must appear clearly on the document.

Iraq should also be identified as the final destination.

Further information normally includes:

• Full details of the goods
• Total invoice amount
• Incoterms
• HS Customs Code of at least six digits
• Invoice number
• Invoice date
• Consignee details in Iraq
• Country of origin
• Manufacturer information

The Certificate of Origin and Invoice information must correspond.

Supporting documents for Certificates of Origin

Additional evidence can be required depending on the shipment.

Common supporting documents include:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Transport document
• Evidence of origin
• Manufacturer’s invoice
• Supplier declaration

Where goods are being supplied to an Iraqi public-sector organisation, the ABCC also requires a copy of the relevant contract.

Medical goods or appliances can require an Iraqi Ministry of Trade import licence together with approval from the Ministry of Health.

These requirements should be checked before the Certificate of Origin is issued.

Commercial documents must not contain handwritten amendments

Commercial documents should be prepared entirely in typed or printed form.

The ABCC’s current Iraq requirements expressly state that handwriting on documents is not accepted.

Signatures can, of course, be handwritten where an original signature is required.

Internal references, names, identification numbers and document wording should otherwise appear in the printed text.

This rule can cause problems where a document has already been executed and someone subsequently inserts a date, passport number or reference by hand.

Completing the document properly before signature avoids having to prepare it again.

Company and signatory information

Commercial Powers of Attorney and similar documents should clearly identify every relevant company and individual.

Where appropriate, include:

• Full registered company name
• UK company registration number
• Registered or business address
• Full name of the signatory
• Signatory’s passport or identification details
• Capacity in which the person signs

Incomplete company details can result in the document being returned before legalisation.

Authorisation letter for commercial documents

An additional authorisation letter is required when the ABCC is authorised to submit commercial documents for Iraqi legalisation.

Current ABCC requirements state that the consignor should provide a signed authorisation allowing the Chamber to submit the documents to the Embassy.

The letter should include:

• Contact person’s name
• Copy of the contact person’s passport
• Company name
• Company address
• Signature

For a commercial Power of Attorney, one of the directors of the UK company must also sign a statement verifying the authenticity of the Power of Attorney.

We can prepare the appropriate authorisation wording as part of the legalisation service.

Private Powers of Attorney

Different requirements apply where the Power of Attorney is a private document rather than a corporate instrument.

The Iraqi Embassy’s current guidance states that a private Power of Attorney issued through a British solicitor requires the client to attend personally for the relevant consular procedure.

Published operational guidance further indicates that the executant should bring the original passport so that the consular officer can verify their identity.

An agent therefore cannot simply replace the executant at this stage.

Where appropriate, we can assist with document preparation, accompany the client and arrange collection after completion.

UK educational documents for use in Iraq

UK educational documents have a separate legalisation route.

They should not automatically be sent through the ordinary solicitor → FCDO → Embassy process.

The Iraqi Cultural Attaché in London publishes a dedicated procedure for UK and Irish academic documents. Under that process, the Cultural Attaché contacts the issuing university or educational institution to verify that the qualification is genuine.

Once satisfactory verification has been received, the academic document can be attested by the Cultural Attaché.

Its published guidance states that prior certification by a solicitor, FCDO authentication and separate Iraqi Consulate authentication are not required for documents using this educational route.

Iraqi Cultural Attaché verification

Applicants normally complete the Cultural Attaché’s prescribed forms and provide copies of the educational documents.

A letter of authorisation may also be required so that the Attaché can contact the issuing institution.

Verification is then requested directly from the university, college, awarding body or other educational institution.

Some institutions charge their own verification fee.

Those third-party verification charges are separate from the Cultural Attaché’s attestation fee.

The Attaché currently publishes a charge of £15 per document copy requiring attestation.

Processing time depends heavily on how quickly the issuing institution responds.

Do not Apostille a UK degree unnecessarily

Where the qualification falls within the Iraqi Cultural Attaché route, obtaining a solicitor certification and FCDO Apostille first can create unnecessary cost.

The academic document should therefore be assessed before any Apostille application is submitted.

Send us a scan of the qualification and explain its intended use in Iraq.

We can determine whether the Cultural Attaché or another legalisation route is appropriate.

Photocopy requirements

Copies should accompany documents submitted for legalisation.

For commercial documents processed through the Chamber system, LCCI states that three copies are required where a document is being legalised by an Embassy. LCCI cannot make these photocopies for applicants.

The ABCC also refers to Embassy copies for Iraqi commercial documents.

Preparing the required copies before submission reduces avoidable delay.

Passport-copy requirements

Identification evidence can also form part of the application.

The ABCC specifically requires a passport copy for the contact person named in the commercial authorisation letter.

Private Powers of Attorney require the executant’s original identification during personal attendance.

Where an agent is involved, additional identification may be requested depending on the document and submission method.

Foreign-issued documents

The London Iraqi legalisation route is primarily designed for documents that have completed the appropriate UK authentication process.

Documents issued elsewhere should therefore be assessed before obtaining a UK Apostille or sending originals to the Embassy.

A document cannot automatically become eligible for UK legalisation merely because its holder or company has a connection with Britain.

The country of issue, issuing authority and company jurisdiction are important.

Iraq Embassy legalisation processing time

Personal documents submitted through the ordinary consular route are commonly processed in approximately:

1–2 working days

Certificates of Origin and invoices can also be completed relatively quickly once all preliminary commercial stages are in place.

Commercial documents moving through the full Chamber route require considerably longer.

LCCI currently advises that Arab League legalisation involving the London Chamber, ABCC and an Embassy can take approximately 5–15 working days, depending on the destination and Embassy.

For Iraq commercial applications, allowing approximately 10–15 working days is therefore sensible where the full Chamber route is required.

Courier and FCDO processing times are additional.

Iraq Embassy address in London

The Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq is located at:

Embassy of the Republic of Iraq – Consular Section
3 Elvaston Place
London SW7 5QH

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this address on its London mission contact page in May 2026.

Iraq Embassy legalisation opening hours

Published operational guidance currently lists document submission hours as:

10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Monday to Friday

Consular hours can change during public holidays or for operational reasons.

They should therefore be reconfirmed before attending.

Payment

Commercial documents submitted through the LCCI and ABCC route are generally paid in advance through the Chamber process.

LCCI accepts advance payment methods including card and bank transfer for posted applications and requires payment before documents can be forwarded to the ABCC or Embassy.

Payment arrangements for direct Iraqi Consular Section applications should be checked before attendance.

Common reasons Iraq legalisation is delayed

Applications can be delayed where:

• The FCDO Apostille is missing
• The document follows the wrong legalisation route
• Required Chamber certification has not been completed
• Handwritten amendments appear in a commercial document
• Company registration details are missing
• Signatory identification is incomplete
• An authorisation letter has not been provided
• Commercial POA verification wording is missing
• Copies have not been supplied
• Certificate of Origin information does not match the invoice
• Iraqi consignee details are incomplete
• HS Codes or Incoterms are missing
• University verification remains outstanding
• A private POA applicant has not arranged personal attendance

Reviewing the document before execution is particularly important for Iraqi commercial matters.

Can several commercial documents share one Apostille?

This should not be assumed.

Commercial documents often need to be processed and charged individually through the Chamber and Iraqi legalisation stages.

Certificates of Origin and invoices are also treated as distinct documents under the current ABCC Iraq fee schedule.

Bundling documents purely to reduce Apostille costs can therefore create problems later in the legalisation chain.

Can I submit directly to the Iraq Embassy?

Direct submission may be possible for documents handled by the Consular Section.

The applicant must nevertheless make sure that all preliminary legalisation requirements have been completed.

Commercial documents are more complicated because the relevant Chamber and Commercial Attaché procedures may need to be followed first.

Private Powers of Attorney can also require the executant to attend personally.

Our service is designed to identify the correct route before originals are submitted.

Iraq Embassy legalisation only

Already apostilled documents can be reviewed for an Iraq Embassy legalisation-only service.

Send us:

1. A scan of the complete document
2. A scan of the FCDO Apostille
3. Passport copy where relevant
4. Intended use in Iraq
5. Details of the Iraqi recipient
6. Required completion date

We can check whether another Chamber, Cultural Attaché or personal-attendance requirement applies.

Full Iraq document legalisation service

Where the document has not yet been prepared, Ginkgo Advisory can assess the entire authentication chain.

Depending on the case, the service may include:

• Document review
• Solicitor certification
• Notarial certification
• FCDO Apostille
• London Chamber processing
• Arab-British Chamber certification
• Iraqi Embassy legalisation
• Iraqi Commercial Attaché submission
• Educational verification coordination
• Collection
• Scan after completion
• UK return delivery
• DHL international delivery

A scan should be provided before the original document is posted.

Frequently asked questions

Does a UK document need an FCDO Apostille for Iraq?

For many private and commercial UK documents, yes.

The Apostille is normally followed by the appropriate Iraqi legalisation stage. Commercial documents can also require Chamber certification.

How much does Iraq Embassy legalisation cost?

The Iraqi Embassy currently lists:

General/private documents: £15

Commercial documents: £160

Separate Chamber, FCDO and professional fees can apply.

How much is a Certificate of Origin for Iraq?

The ABCC’s Iraq schedule currently lists £100 for the Certificate of Origin and £100 for the Invoice.

Other commercial documents are listed at £160.

How long does Iraq Embassy legalisation take?

Ordinary personal-document processing is commonly approximately 1–2 working days once the document is ready for the Embassy stage.

A complete commercial Chamber route can take considerably longer.

Do commercial documents need the Arab-British Chamber?

Generally, yes, where the Iraqi commercial-document route applies.

The Embassy and ABCC publish specific procedures for commercial documents.

Can handwritten changes be made to a commercial document?

No.

Current ABCC Iraq requirements state that handwriting on documents is not accepted.

Does a private Power of Attorney require personal attendance?

It can.

The Iraqi Embassy specifically requires personal attendance for private Powers of Attorney issued through British solicitor firms.

Does a UK degree need an FCDO Apostille for Iraq?

Not where it qualifies for the Iraqi Cultural Attaché’s dedicated academic-document procedure.

The Attaché verifies the qualification directly with the awarding institution before attestation.

Can you legalise an ACRO Police Certificate for Iraq?

Yes, subject to the document meeting the applicable FCDO and Iraqi Embassy requirements.

Send us a scan before posting the original.

Where is the Iraq Embassy Consular Section?

It is at:

3 Elvaston Place, London SW7 5QH.

Can you handle only the Iraq Embassy stage?

Yes.

Where earlier UK authentication has already been completed correctly, we can review the document for an Embassy-only service.

Arrange Iraq Embassy legalisation in London

Send Ginkgo Advisory a clear scan before dispatching the original.

Please provide:

1. The document requiring legalisation
2. Existing FCDO Apostille, if applicable
3. Intended use in Iraq
4. Details of the Iraqi recipient
5. Passport copy where relevant
6. Any instructions received from Iraq
7. Required completion date

We can then identify whether your document requires an FCDO Apostille, Chamber certification, Iraqi Embassy legalisation, Commercial Attaché processing or Cultural Attaché verification.

Iraqi Embassy, Commercial Attaché, Cultural Attaché, FCDO and Chamber requirements can change without notice. Fees and processing times should therefore be reconfirmed for each application. Final acceptance remains subject to the relevant Iraqi authority.

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