UK Degree Apostille for Spain: University Verification, Solicitor Certification and Fast FCDO Service

To use a UK degree or academic certificate in Spain, you may need to complete two key steps. First, a UK solicitor or notary must verify the document’s authenticity with the issuing university and certify it correctly. Next, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office must issue a Hague Apostille.

Importantly, a basic certified true copy statement may not meet the Spanish requirement. The solicitor must clearly state that they verified the academic document with the university or other issuing institution. The attached Spanish guidance also confirms that Spain accepts an electronic Apostille when its CSV or QR code remains clear and readable.

Ginkgo Advisory provides a complete UK degree apostille for Spain service. We can arrange university verification, solicitor verification and certification, and either:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille, normally completed on the same day or next working day after verification and certification; or
• an express UK FCDO paper Apostille, normally completed within two working days after verification and certification.

In most cases, we can start the process remotely from a clear colour scan of the document.

What Does the Official Spanish Guidance Say?

The official document shown in the image below comes from Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Its title translates as “Legalisation of Academic Documents Issued in the United Kingdom.”

The guidance states that applicants must legalise UK academic documents in the United Kingdom before using them in Spain. It then sets out a clear two-step process.

Step 1: University Verification and Solicitor Certification

First, a UK notary public or solicitor must certify the academic document.

The guidance explains that the UK does not treat degree certificates and academic certificates as public documents. Therefore, the applicant cannot normally send the unsigned academic document directly to the FCDO.

Instead, a UK solicitor or notary must first deal with the document. More importantly, the solicitor or notary must confirm that they checked its authenticity with the issuing university.

Step 2: UK FCDO Hague Apostille

Next, the applicant must obtain a Hague Apostille from the Legalisation Office of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The Apostille authenticates the relevant UK solicitor’s or notary’s signature so that the document can proceed for use in Spain.

The guidance also states that an electronic Apostille is valid as long as the CSV or QR code remains readable. Therefore, applicants may not always need a physical paper Apostille.

Why Is a Standard Certified True Copy Not Enough?

This point forms the most important part of the Spanish guidance.

A solicitor should not simply write:

“This is a true copy.”

Likewise, the solicitor should not only state:

“This is an original degree certificate.”

According to the guidance, neither statement shows that the solicitor checked the academic qualification with the university.

Instead, the Spanish authority recommends wording that confirms the verification directly:

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

Therefore, the certification must address the document’s authenticity, not merely whether the copy matches the document presented to the solicitor.

Ginkgo Advisory can arrange both parts of this first step. We verify the academic document through a suitable source and then prepare the solicitor certification in the correct form for the FCDO Apostille application.

Original Degree or Certified Copy: Which Does Spain Accept?

The table in the official guidance makes an important distinction.

Document presented	University authenticity verified	Result shown in the guidance
Original academic document	Yes	Accepted
Original academic document	No	Not accepted
True copy of the academic document	Yes	Accepted
True copy of the academic document	No	Not accepted

Therefore, simply presenting the original does not remove the need for university verification. Equally, a true copy can meet the guidance when the solicitor or notary has properly verified the document’s authenticity.

In other words, the key issue is not only whether the document is an original or a copy. The solicitor must also verify it with the issuing institution and state that fact clearly in the certification.

However, the university, Spanish authority or professional body receiving your document may set additional rules. For example, it may still ask you to present the original certificate at a later stage. Therefore, you should confirm its document format requirements before sending an original degree to us.

Our UK Degree Apostille for Spain Process

We manage the university verification, solicitor certification and FCDO Apostille as one complete service.

1. Send Us a Clear Colour Scan

First, send us a clear colour scan of the complete academic document.

Please include every page and make sure that the following details remain clear:

• the graduate’s name;
• the university or college name;
• the qualification title;
• the date of the award;
• signatures;
• seals;
• stamps; and
• any reference or verification number.

At this stage, you usually do not need to send the original.

2. Confirm How You Will Use the Document in Spain

Next, tell us why you need the document.

For example, you may need it for:

• recognition of a UK qualification in Spain;
• a university application;
• employment;
• professional registration;
• a visa or residence application;
• a teaching position;
• further study;
• a regulated profession; or
• another Spanish administrative procedure.

You should also tell us which Spanish authority, university, employer or professional body will receive it.

3. We Verify the Academic Document

We then identify the most suitable verification method.

Depending on the university and the document, we may verify it through:

• the university’s secure digital certificate system;
• GradIntelligence;
• HEDD degree verification;
• direct contact with the issuing university; or
• another reliable verification system used by the institution.

The Spanish guidance sets the required outcome rather than a single verification platform. Therefore, the correct method depends on the university and the records available.

If the verification provider requires your consent, we will send you a consent form to sign.

4. Our Solicitor Certifies the Document

Once we receive satisfactory verification, our solicitor prepares the certification.

The certification will not simply state that the document is a true copy. Instead, it will clearly address the authenticity verification, in line with the official Spanish guidance.

We then prepare the document in a format suitable for the chosen FCDO Apostille service.

5. We Obtain the UK FCDO Apostille

Next, we submit the solicitor-certified document for either:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille; or
• an express UK FCDO paper Apostille.

The right option depends on the receiving Spanish authority.

6. We Return the Completed Document

Finally, we send an e-Apostille to you electronically.

For a paper Apostille, we can first provide a scan of the completed document. We can then return the physical document by courier where required.

UK FCDO e-Apostille for Spain

A UK FCDO e-Apostille provides the quickest option where the Spanish recipient accepts electronic documents.

The FCDO issues the Apostille electronically. Therefore, you do not need to wait for a physical Apostille certificate to travel by post or courier.

Our e-Apostille service normally takes the same day or next working day after we complete the university verification and solicitor certification.

The attached Spanish guidance specifically confirms that electronic Apostilles are valid when the CSV or QR code remains legible.

As a result, an e-Apostille may suit:

• an online application;
• an electronic university submission;
• a digital professional registration process;
• an application sent by email;
• a Spanish authority that checks Apostilles online; or
• an urgent case with no need for a physical document.

However, you should still ask the receiving authority whether it accepts an e-Apostille for your specific procedure.

Express UK FCDO Paper Apostille for Spain

Some Spanish authorities, universities and professional bodies may ask for a physical document.

In that case, we can arrange our express UK FCDO paper Apostille service.

The express service normally takes two working days after we complete the academic verification and solicitor certification.

A paper Apostille may work better when:

• the recipient asks for a physical Apostille;
• you must attend an appointment with paper documents;
• the authority asks to inspect the original certificate;
• you need to submit documents by post;
• the recipient does not accept an e-Apostille; or
• a translator needs to work from the physical legalised document.

After completion, we can send you a scan and arrange courier delivery of the physical document.

e-Apostille or Paper Apostille: Which Should You Choose?

The attached guidance confirms the validity of an e-Apostille when the verification code remains readable. Nevertheless, the final choice should follow the instructions of the Spanish authority receiving your document.

Service	Format	Our normal FCDO service time	Suitable when
UK FCDO e-Apostille	Electronic	Same day or next working day	The recipient accepts electronic documents and a readable CSV or QR code
Express UK FCDO paper Apostille	Physical	Two working days	The recipient requests a physical, paper or original document

These service times start after we complete the university verification and solicitor certification.

Therefore, you should also allow time for the university or verification provider to confirm the academic record.

Which UK Academic Documents Can We Help With?

We can assist with many types of UK academic documents, including:

• bachelor’s degree certificates;
• master’s degree certificates;
• doctoral degree certificates;
• postgraduate certificates;
• postgraduate diplomas;
• academic transcripts;
• university letters;
• certificates of enrolment;
• confirmation of award letters;
• professional academic qualifications; and
• other documents issued by UK universities or colleges.

However, we must review and verify each document separately.

For example, a degree certificate and an academic transcript count as two different documents. Each may need its own verification, solicitor certification and Apostille.

Do You Need to Send the Original Degree Certificate?

Not always.

In many cases, we can begin with a clear scan. We can then verify the qualification and prepare a solicitor-certified copy.

The official table shows that a verified true copy can meet the stated legalisation requirement. However, an unverified original does not meet it.

Therefore, university verification remains essential even when you hold the original certificate.

You may need to send the original when:

• the Spanish recipient specifically asks for it;
• the authority requires an Apostille connected to the original;
• the document contains features that we need to inspect physically;
• the university cannot verify the document from the available information; or
• the recipient refuses a solicitor-certified copy.

Before sending an important original certificate, confirm the requirement with the Spanish recipient.

What Information Do We Need?

To assess your UK degree apostille for Spain request, please provide:

• a clear colour scan of each academic document;
• your full name;
• your date of birth;
• the name of the issuing institution;
• the qualification title;
• the year of graduation or award;
• the purpose for which you will use the document;
• the name of the receiving Spanish authority, if known;
• confirmation of whether you need an e-Apostille or paper Apostille;
• confirmation of whether the recipient requires the original; and
• your submission deadline.

In addition, we may ask you to sign a consent form so that we can complete the university verification.

How Long Does the Complete Process Take?

The total time depends on two separate stages.

First, we must verify the academic document and complete the solicitor certification. The time for this stage depends on the university, the verification system and the records available.

Next, we obtain the Apostille:

• UK FCDO e-Apostille: same day or next working day;
• express UK FCDO paper Apostille: two working days.

Therefore, the FCDO processing time does not include any waiting time for the university or verification provider.

To avoid delays, send us a clear document scan, complete personal details and any required consent form as early as possible.

Is a Spanish Translation Also Required?

The attached guidance deals with legalisation and Apostilles. It does not explain whether you also need:

• a Spanish translation;
• a sworn translation;
• homologación;
• equivalencia;
• professional recognition; or
• recognition by a particular Spanish university or authority.

Therefore, you should check translation and recognition requirements separately with the organisation receiving your documents.

For example, an authority may accept the Apostille but still require a sworn Spanish translation of the degree certificate and the Apostille.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a certified true copy enough for Spain?

Not on its own. According to the attached guidance, a statement such as “This is a true copy” does not confirm university verification. The solicitor must explicitly state that they verified the document’s authenticity with the issuing institution.

Does a UK solicitor need to verify the degree with the university?

Yes. The guidance states that the solicitor or notary must explicitly confirm verification with the university or issuing institution.

Can Spain accept a UK e-Apostille for an academic document?

The attached guidance says that electronic Apostilles are valid when the CSV or QR code remains legible. However, you should also confirm that the authority handling your specific application accepts electronic submission.

Does presenting the original degree remove the need for verification?

No. The official table marks an original as acceptable when the solicitor or notary has verified its authenticity. It marks an unverified original as unacceptable.

Can I use a solicitor-certified copy instead of the original?

The official table treats a verified true copy as acceptable. Nevertheless, the receiving authority may separately ask to inspect the original.

Can you complete the process remotely?

In many cases, yes. We can normally begin with a clear colour scan, verify the qualification remotely and prepare the solicitor certification. We only need the physical original where the document or receiving authority requires it.

What happens if I cannot access my university’s digital certificate system?

We can consider another verification route, such as HEDD or direct university verification. The available method depends on the issuing institution.

Does each academic document need a separate Apostille?

Usually, yes. For example, a degree certificate and a transcript are separate documents. Therefore, each document may need its own verification, certification and Apostille.

Arrange a UK Degree Apostille for Spain

Ginkgo Advisory provides an end-to-end service for UK academic documents required in Spain.

Our service can include:

• verification with the UK university or issuing institution;
• HEDD, GradIntelligence or direct university verification;
• solicitor verification and certification that addresses authenticity;
• UK FCDO e-Apostille service within the same day or next working day;
• express UK FCDO paper Apostille service within two working days;
• electronic delivery of completed e-Apostilles; and
• courier delivery of paper documents where required.

To begin, send us a clear colour scan of each UK academic document. Please also tell us the purpose of the Spanish application, the receiving authority and whether it accepts an e-Apostille.

We will then review the documents, confirm the correct verification route and explain the next steps.

Please note: The attached guidance addresses UK academic document verification, solicitor or notary certification and the FCDO Apostille. Spanish authorities may set additional rules for original documents, translations, recognition or the method of submission.