British Virgin Islands Birth, Marriage and Death Certificate Apostille and TRO London Authentication

Do you need to use a British Virgin Islands birth, marriage or death certificate in Taiwan?

In the case covered by this service, the original BVI certificate must first be duly apostilled in the British Virgin Islands. It can then be sent to our London office for the UK stages.

The complete process is:

BVI birth, marriage or death certificate → BVI Apostille → courier to London → UK FCDO paper Apostille → TRO London authentication → secure return delivery

Ginkgo Advisory can arrange the express UK FCDO paper Apostille, normally within 2 working days, followed by authentication at the Taipei Representative Office in the United Kingdom, London.

The Taipei Representative Office, commonly called TRO London, expressly includes documents issued in the British Virgin Islands within its authentication jurisdiction.

Which BVI certificates can we assist with?

Our service covers original civil status certificates issued in the British Virgin Islands, including:

• BVI birth certificates
• BVI marriage certificates
• BVI death certificates

These documents may be required for immigration, nationality, family registration, inheritance, probate, court proceedings, marriage registration, visa applications or another official purpose in Taiwan.

The exact requirements depend on the authority receiving the document. We therefore recommend sending us both the certificate and the instructions from the Taiwan authority before beginning the legalisation process.

BVI certificate legalisation process at a glance

For the service described on this page, the process normally involves the following stages.

1. Obtain the original BVI certificate

You must obtain the original birth, marriage or death certificate issued by the relevant authority in the British Virgin Islands.

The certificate should be a proper official hard copy. A scan, photocopy or downloaded PDF is not normally sufficient for the paper legalisation and authentication process.

2. Obtain the BVI Apostille

The original certificate must first receive an Apostille in the British Virgin Islands.

The British Virgin Islands has its own designated Apostille authority. The Hague Conference currently lists the BVI Apostille authority in Road Town, Tortola.

The BVI Apostille must be attached before the original certificate is sent to our London office.

3. Send us a scanned copy for review

Before using an international courier, please email us clear scans of:

• the complete BVI certificate;
• the BVI Apostille;
• any covering pages or attachments; and
• the instructions from the receiving authority in Taiwan.

We will review the document and confirm whether it appears ready for the London stages.

Because this is a specialised legalisation route involving both BVI and UK authorities, please do not send the original to London until we have reviewed the scan.

4. Courier the original to our London office

After we approve the scanned copy, the duly apostilled original certificate can be securely couriered to our London office.

We will confirm receipt and inspect the original before submitting it for the next stage.

5. Obtain the UK FCDO paper Apostille

We arrange the required UK FCDO paper Apostille through our express service.

Our FCDO paper Apostille service normally takes approximately 2 working days after:

• the original document reaches our office;
• we have completed our document review;
• the document is accepted for submission; and
• payment and all required instructions have been received.

The 2-working-day timescale applies to the FCDO Apostille stage only. It does not include the BVI Apostille, international courier delivery or TRO London processing.

6. Complete TRO London authentication

After the FCDO paper Apostille has been completed, we prepare the document for authentication by the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, London.

TRO London’s published guidance requires documents in this category to complete the relevant FCDO legalisation stage before submission. It accepts paper-based Apostilles only for this process.

We can prepare the application, review the supporting documents, act as the professional agent and manage submission and collection.

7. Return the authenticated certificate

Once TRO authentication is complete, we can:

• send you a scanned completion copy;
• return the original to a UK address;
• courier it directly to Taiwan; or
• deliver it to another authorised recipient.

International delivery can be arranged by DHL or another suitable tracked courier.

BVI birth certificate Apostille and authentication

A British Virgin Islands birth certificate may be required for:

• Taiwan household or family registration;
• nationality or citizenship applications;
• dependent or family-related immigration matters;
• school or university registration;
• marriage registration;
• inheritance or probate;
• court proceedings; or
• proof of parentage.

For TRO London authentication, the birth certificate must carry the required Apostille and legalisation chain.

TRO London’s published checklist also states that a birth certificate submitted for authentication must show both parents’ names. It asks for passport copies relating to the persons designated on birth, marriage and death certificates.

Before proceeding, we will check:

• whether both parents are named;
• whether the certificate is an official original;
• whether the BVI Apostille has been correctly attached;
• whether the names match the supporting identification; and
• whether the Taiwan authority has requested any additional evidence.

A short-form birth certificate that does not name both parents may not meet TRO requirements. Where necessary, the applicant may need to obtain a fuller version of the BVI birth certificate.

BVI marriage certificate Apostille and authentication

A British Virgin Islands marriage certificate may be required in Taiwan for:

• recording an overseas marriage;
• a spouse or dependent visa;
• family registration;
• proof of change of marital status;
• inheritance or succession;
• banking or financial matters;
• court proceedings; or
• another government application.

The original BVI marriage certificate must first be duly apostilled in the British Virgin Islands.

After the BVI Apostille has been obtained, the document can be sent to our London office for the express FCDO paper Apostille and TRO authentication.

For a marriage certificate application, TRO London’s published requirements ask for clear passport copies relating to the persons designated on the document.

We therefore normally ask for:

• the passport identification page of each spouse;
• the original BVI marriage certificate;
• the BVI Apostille;
• details of the intended use in Taiwan; and
• the receiving authority’s written instructions, where available.

The spelling, order and presentation of the names should be checked carefully against the passports before submission.

BVI death certificate Apostille and authentication

A British Virgin Islands death certificate may be required in Taiwan for:

• probate or estate administration;
• inheritance or succession;
• insurance claims;
• pension matters;
• family registration;
• updating government records;
• court proceedings;
• banking or asset transfers; or
• another official process.

The original death certificate must first receive a BVI Apostille.

Once duly apostilled, it can be sent to our London office for the required FCDO paper Apostille and TRO London authentication.

TRO London’s checklist asks for passport copies relating to persons designated on birth, marriage and death certificates. The documents available in a death-certificate matter can vary, so we will review the case and confirm which identification documents should accompany the application.

Where the deceased person’s passport is unavailable, please tell us before sending the original certificate. We can review the available evidence against the TRO requirements.

Why is the BVI Apostille required first?

The British Virgin Islands is a British Overseas Territory with its own Apostille authority.

The Apostille issued in the BVI verifies the relevant local signature, seal or official capacity appearing on the BVI certificate. The HCCH lists the competent authority for the British Virgin Islands separately from the UK Legalisation Office.

For this case route, the local BVI Apostille must therefore be completed before the document reaches London.

Please do not send us an unapostilled BVI birth, marriage or death certificate unless we have expressly agreed to review it for another purpose.

Why is a UK FCDO paper Apostille also required?

The BVI Apostille is the first stage in the legalisation chain. It does not, by itself, complete the TRO London authentication process described here.

TRO London’s published rules state that documents issued by authorities in the British Virgin Islands fall within its London jurisdiction. The documents must complete the relevant FCDO paper legalisation stage before they are submitted for TRO authentication.

We therefore arrange the FCDO paper Apostille after receiving and approving the duly BVI-apostilled original.

Eligibility is confirmed case by case. We must review the certificate, the BVI Apostille and the official signatures before accepting the matter for the express service.

Does TRO London accept an e-Apostille?

No. TRO London’s published guidance specifies that it accepts paper-based Apostilles only for this authentication process.

An FCDO e-Apostille should not be used for the case route described on this page.

We arrange a physical paper Apostille so that the original certificate can proceed to TRO London.

Documents required for TRO London authentication

The exact requirements depend on the type of certificate and the applicant’s circumstances. The application will generally require:

1. The original BVI birth, marriage or death certificate.
2. The BVI Apostille.
3. The UK FCDO paper Apostille.
4. A photocopy of both sides of the legalised document.
5. A clear copy of the applicant’s valid passport.
6. Passport copies relating to the persons designated on the certificate.
7. The prescribed TRO application form.
8. The prescribed Letter of Authorisation where we act as agent.

TRO London requires its application form to be properly completed and signed. The applicant’s signature must match the signature appearing on the passport.

Additional documents may be required depending on the certificate and its intended use.

Can Ginkgo Advisory act as your agent?

Yes. We can act as your professional agent for the London stages.

This means that you do not normally need to travel to the United Kingdom personally. We can receive the original, arrange the FCDO paper Apostille and manage the TRO London application.

TRO London has specific requirements where an agent acts for an applicant. These include:

• the prescribed application form;
• the original TRO Letter of Authorisation;
• a copy of the authorisation;
• the agent’s identification; and
• the agent company’s incorporation evidence, where applicable.

The applicant’s signature on the prescribed Letter of Authorisation must be notarised or certified in accordance with TRO requirements. Alternative forms of authorisation are not accepted.

We will provide the correct forms and signing instructions after reviewing your certificate.

Can the applicant sign the documents outside the UK?

Yes. The applicant can be based in the British Virgin Islands, Taiwan or another country.

The applicant must follow the required signing and certification procedure. In some cases, our solicitor may be able to witness or certify a signature by video conference, subject to an identity check and the requirements of the particular application.

The original signed authorisation document may still need to be couriered to our London office.

Please do not sign the authorisation letter until we have provided the correct version and instructions.

Our express 2-working-day FCDO Apostille service

Our express service normally completes the UK FCDO paper Apostille stage within 2 working days.

This period begins after we have:

• received the original document in London;
• inspected the BVI certificate and Apostille;
• confirmed that the document is suitable for submission;
• received payment; and
• received all necessary instructions.

The service may take longer if an official signature, stamp or seal requires additional verification.

The 2-working-day service does not include:

• obtaining the original BVI certificate;
• obtaining the BVI Apostille;
• delivery from the BVI to London;
• TRO London processing; or
• final courier delivery.

We will provide the estimated overall process and delivery arrangements after reviewing the documents.

Our complete BVI certificate authentication service

Depending on the stage your document has reached, our service can include:

• reviewing the BVI certificate before shipment;
• checking the BVI Apostille;
• receiving the original at our London office;
• arranging the express FCDO paper Apostille;
• preparing the TRO London application;
• reviewing passport and identification documents;
• preparing the prescribed authorisation documents;
• acting as the applicant’s professional agent;
• submitting and collecting the document;
• sending a scanned completion copy; and
• arranging secure international courier delivery.

This service is suitable for private individuals, families, lawyers, immigration advisers, probate professionals, employers and corporate clients.

Frequently asked questions

Can I send an unapostilled BVI certificate to London?

Not for the service route described here.

The original certificate must first be duly apostilled in the British Virgin Islands. Send us a scanned copy of the certificate and BVI Apostille before couriering the original.

Can you obtain the BVI Apostille in London?

The BVI Apostille is issued by the competent authority in the British Virgin Islands. It should be obtained before the original is sent to our London office.

Our principal service begins after the BVI Apostille has been attached.

Does TRO London authenticate BVI certificates?

Yes. TRO London expressly lists the British Virgin Islands within its authentication jurisdiction.

Acceptance remains subject to the document, its legalisation chain, the supporting evidence and its intended use.

Is a BVI Apostille alone enough for use in Taiwan?

Not where the receiving authority requires TRO authentication under the route described on this page.

The document must complete the required FCDO paper Apostille and TRO London authentication stages.

Can I use an e-Apostille?

No. TRO London’s published requirements specify a paper-based Apostille.

Must a BVI birth certificate show both parents?

For TRO London authentication, the published checklist states that a birth certificate must carry both parents’ names.

Send us a scan before proceeding if your certificate does not show both parents.

Do both spouses need to provide passport copies for a marriage certificate?

TRO London asks for passport copies relating to every designated person appearing on marriage, birth and death certificates. We will confirm the exact documents required after reviewing the certificate.

Does the complete service take 2 working days?

No. The 2-working-day target applies only to our express FCDO paper Apostille stage.

The BVI Apostille, TRO authentication and courier stages have separate processing times.

Can you return the completed certificate directly to Taiwan?

Yes. We can arrange secure tracked courier delivery to Taiwan or another international destination after TRO authentication.

Start your BVI certificate legalisation

To request a quotation, please send us:

• a clear scan of the BVI birth, marriage or death certificate;
• a clear scan of the BVI Apostille;
• the instructions from the receiving authority in Taiwan;
• your deadline;
• the applicant’s current location; and
• the final delivery destination.

Once the duly apostilled original reaches our London office, Ginkgo Advisory can arrange the express UK FCDO paper Apostille, TRO London authentication and secure international courier delivery.