Cuba Embassy in London Legalisation

UK documents intended for official use in Cuba generally require several authentication stages before they can be accepted.

For most documents, the process starts with an FCDO Apostille. The apostilled document must then be presented to the Cuban Consulate in London for further legalisation. Current London legalisation guidance continues to confirm this route.

English-language documents also normally require a Spanish translation. That translation must be prepared in the correct form, notarised and separately apostilled before the Consular stage.

As a result, Cuban document legalisation can involve more steps than legalisation for many other destinations.

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with the full process, including certification, notarisation, Spanish translation, FCDO Apostilles and Cuba Embassy legalisation.

Cuba Embassy legalisation service at a glance

Stage	What may be required
Document assessment	Check the document and intended use in Cuba
Certification/notarisation	Required for certain private, educational or corporate documents
Spanish translation	Required unless the document is already acceptable in Spanish or bilingual form
Translation notarisation	Authenticate the Spanish translation
FCDO Apostille – original	Apostille the underlying UK document
FCDO Apostille – translation	Separate Apostille for the notarised Spanish translation
Cuba Consulate legalisation	Consular authentication in London
Return delivery	UK or international delivery after completion

The precise preparation depends on the original document.

What is Cuba Embassy legalisation?

Cuba Embassy legalisation is the authentication of a foreign document by the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in London.

A typical English-language UK document can require:

UK document → certification where required → FCDO Apostille

together with:

Spanish translation → notarisation → separate FCDO Apostille

followed by:

Cuban Consulate legalisation of the authenticated documents

Current specialist guidance confirms that both the English document and its notarised Spanish translation normally require separate FCDO Apostilles.

Is an FCDO Apostille enough for Cuba?

No, under the current London procedure.

Cuba does not appear among the Contracting Parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention in the HCCH’s current status table.

An FCDO Apostille therefore does not ordinarily replace Cuban Consular legalisation.

For a UK document, the authentication process normally continues to the Cuban Consulate after the Apostille stage.

Already have an FCDO Apostille?

An existing Apostille can save one stage, but it does not necessarily mean the document is ready for Cuban Consular legalisation.

The Spanish translation may still need:

1. Preparation
2. Notarisation
3. A separate FCDO Apostille

The original document and translation can then proceed to the Consulate.

Send us:

1. A complete scan of the document
2. The existing FCDO Apostille
3. Any Spanish translation already prepared
4. The intended use in Cuba
5. Details of the Cuban receiving authority
6. Your required completion date

We can identify any missing stages before the original is dispatched.

Spanish translation requirement

English-language documents intended for Cuba generally need to be accompanied by a Spanish translation.

Current legalisation guidance allows the documentation to be prepared either:

• In an appropriate English-Spanish bilingual format, or
• As an English original accompanied by a separate Spanish translation

The Spanish translation must then be appropriately notarised.

Where the original document is already in Spanish or an acceptable bilingual format, a separate translation may not be necessary.

The exact format should still be checked before notarisation begins.

Why does the Spanish translation need its own Apostille?

The translation is treated as a separately authenticated document.

Once the translator’s work or translation certification has been notarised, the relevant notarial signature must be authenticated by the FCDO.

Accordingly, an English-language document commonly involves:

Original English document → Apostille

and separately:

Spanish translation → notarisation → Apostille

Both are then presented for Cuban Consular legalisation.

This is why legalisation for Cuba can require at least two Apostilles for a single underlying English document.

Can the document and translation share one Apostille?

This should not be assumed.

Current Cuba legalisation guidance states that the original English document and the notarised Spanish translation require their own FCDO Apostilles.

Trying to place everything beneath a single Apostille can therefore result in an unsuitable submission.

The legalisation structure should be decided before the translation is notarised.

Multiple documents and bundles

Bundling does not remove the individual translation requirements.

If several documents are being submitted, current operational guidance states that each underlying document must be translated into Spanish, notarised as required and apostilled individually.

For example, a bundle containing:

• Degree certificate
• Birth certificate
• Police certificate

would normally require the translation and authentication requirements to be considered separately for each item.

Bundling may sometimes reduce notarial administration, but it should not be used to avoid the required Apostilles.

Which documents can require Cuba Embassy legalisation?

Cuban authentication can apply to personal, educational and commercial documents.

Personal documents

Common examples include:

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

Each document should be assessed for its own FCDO and translation requirements.

Educational documents

Academic documents can include:

• Bachelor’s degree certificates
• Master’s degree certificates
• PhD certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Diplomas
• Professional qualifications
• Training certificates
• School certificates

Educational documents are among the common UK certificates requiring Spanish translation and Cuban legalisation.

Company and commercial documents

Business applications may involve:

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House documents
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Board resolutions
• Shareholder resolutions
• Commercial Powers of Attorney
• Agency agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Commercial contracts
• Company declarations
• Bank documents
• Certificates of Good Standing
• Other corporate certificates

Privately executed corporate documents often require notarisation before the FCDO stage.

Cuba Consulate legalisation fee

Current specialist London guidance lists the Cuban Consular charge as:

£107 per document / Apostille

plus:

£24 Consular administration fee.

Another current specialist source describes the tariff as £107 per apostilled document plus the £24 administration fee.

Because the English original and notarised Spanish translation normally carry separate Apostilles, the complete Consular fee should be confirmed from the actual submission set before payment.

The £107 and £24 figures do not include:

• FCDO Apostille fees
• Solicitor certification
• Notarial fees
• Spanish translation
• Ginkgo Advisory professional fees
• Courier charges

Why Cuba legalisation can be relatively expensive

One underlying English document can generate several separate costs.

For example, the process may involve:

1. Certification of the UK document
2. FCDO Apostille for the original
3. Spanish translation
4. Notarisation of the translation
5. FCDO Apostille for the translation
6. Cuban Consular legalisation
7. Consular administration fee

The translation requirement therefore needs to be included when comparing Cuba legalisation costs with other countries.

Current FCDO Apostille fees

The current UK Government fees are:

FCDO service	Fee per document
Standard paper Apostille	£45
Next-Day paper Apostille for registered businesses	£40
e-Apostille	£35
Restricted Urgent paper Apostille	£100

The Standard paper service also attracts return courier or postage costs.

For Cuba, the physical Consular legalisation process means that a paper Apostille is generally the practical route unless the Cuban Consulate has confirmed acceptance of an electronic format.

Current FCDO processing times

The FCDO currently publishes:

• Standard paper Apostille: usually up to 25 working days
• Next-Day paper Apostille: next working day for registered businesses
• e-Apostille: up to 2 working days
• Restricted Urgent paper Apostille: same day following prior approval

Additional verification can extend these timings.

Remember that Cuba may require separate Apostilles for both the original document and the notarised translation.

Birth certificate legalisation for Cuba

A UK birth certificate will commonly require:

UK Birth Certificate → FCDO Apostille

plus:

Spanish translation → notarisation → FCDO Apostille

followed by:

Cuba Consulate legalisation

Birth certificates are among the standard personal documents commonly authenticated for Cuba.

The Cuban receiving authority may separately request identification or family-status evidence.

Marriage certificate legalisation for Cuba

The same general process applies to UK marriage certificates.

A typical chain is:

UK Marriage Certificate → FCDO Apostille

and:

Spanish translation → notarisation → FCDO Apostille

before Cuban Consular legalisation.

Marriage certificates can be required for:

• Family matters
• Residence applications
• Property transactions
• Inheritance
• Registration of marital status

The substantive Cuban requirements should be checked separately from authentication.

Divorce documents

A UK divorce judgment or final order can require both legalisation and full Spanish translation.

The Cuban Consular service specifically refers to a full Spanish translation where a foreign divorce decree is not already in Spanish.

Court documents should be reviewed before translation because the Cuban recipient may require the entire judgment rather than only the operative section.

ACRO Police Certificate legalisation for Cuba

A UK ACRO Police Certificate may be required for:

• Residence
• Employment
• Immigration
• Marriage-related applications
• Other official procedures

The normal process is:

ACRO Police Certificate → FCDO paper Apostille

plus:

Spanish translation → notarisation → FCDO Apostille

followed by Cuban Consular legalisation.

The Cuban recipient should also confirm any validity period for the police certificate.

UK degree legalisation for Cuba

Academic certificates commonly require legalisation for employment, university or professional purposes.

A typical degree process is:

Degree certificate → certification if required → FCDO Apostille

plus:

Spanish translation → notarisation → separate FCDO Apostille

followed by:

Cuba Consulate legalisation

Current translation guidance specifically identifies university degrees and educational certificates among documents commonly prepared for Cuba.

Academic transcripts

Transcripts can require different UK preparation from a degree parchment.

Where the FCDO cannot directly authenticate the relevant institutional signature, solicitor or notarial certification may be necessary.

Once that stage is complete, both the authenticated transcript and its Spanish translation can proceed through the required Apostille process.

The Cuban university or employer may also request direct verification from the issuing institution.

Powers of Attorney for Cuba

Powers of Attorney should be prepared carefully before signature.

A common route is:

Power of Attorney → execution before Notary Public → FCDO Apostille

plus:

Spanish translation → appropriate notarisation → FCDO Apostille

followed by:

Cuban Consular legalisation

The Cuban lawyer or receiving organisation should approve the wording before execution.

Changing the POA after notarisation will usually require the authentication process to start again.

Commercial document legalisation

Corporate documents can follow the same core translation and authentication structure.

For example:

UK company document → notarisation where required → FCDO Apostille

plus:

Spanish translation → notarisation → FCDO Apostille

followed by Cuban Consular legalisation.

The document may also need to identify:

• Full company name
• Company number
• Registered address
• Signatory
• Signatory’s authority
• Purpose of use in Cuba

Corporate authority should be established before the notarial appointment.

Certificate of Incorporation

A UK Certificate of Incorporation may be required for:

• Company registration
• Commercial transactions
• Banking
• Investment
• Establishing a representative office
• Due diligence

The precise UK preparation depends on the format of the Companies House certificate.

Its Spanish translation should be planned at the same time so that the Consular submission remains consistent.

Board resolutions

A board resolution is normally a privately executed corporate document.

It may first require notarisation or solicitor certification before the FCDO can issue an Apostille.

Once the English document is properly authenticated, a separate notarised Spanish translation normally requires its own Apostille.

The Cuban recipient should approve the resolution wording before signature wherever possible.

Documents already written in Spanish

Where the original UK document is genuinely acceptable in Spanish, a separate English-to-Spanish translation may not be required.

Current 2026 notarial guidance states that documents already in Spanish or in an acceptable bilingual format can avoid the additional translation step.

The document still requires the appropriate UK authentication and Cuban Consular legalisation.

Do not assume that adding an informal Spanish translation makes a document bilingual for legalisation purposes.

Bilingual English-Spanish documents

A properly prepared bilingual document can sometimes simplify the translation stage.

However, the wording and notarisation need to be suitable for Cuban use.

Both language versions should correspond precisely.

A discrepancy between the English and Spanish text can create problems with the recipient in Cuba.

For important contracts or Powers of Attorney, the final Spanish wording should ideally be reviewed before execution.

Can I use a certified translation instead of a notarised translation?

For the London Cuba process, ordinary translator certification should not automatically be treated as sufficient.

Current guidance specifically requires the translation to be notarised before the FCDO Apostille.

The notarial structure should therefore be agreed before commissioning the final translation.

This avoids paying for a translation that later needs to be reformatted or re-executed.

Cuba Consulate processing time

Current operational guidance gives an estimated Consular processing period of:

3–6 working days.

Another current notarial source recommends allowing approximately one working week.

This timeframe applies once the complete legalised document set has been accepted by the Consulate.

Translation, notarisation and FCDO processing are additional.

Payment method

Current specialist guidance states that payment for document legalisation is:

Cash only.

Applicants should therefore confirm the exact amount before attending.

This is especially important where several Apostilled documents and translations are included in one submission.

Cuba Consular legalisation opening hours

Recent legalisation guidance lists:

9:30 am – 12:30 pm

for document submission.

There is currently some inconsistency over the operating days.

One current legalisation source states Monday to Friday, while another recent Consular information source lists Monday to Thursday.

The exact legalisation-counter day should therefore be confirmed before travelling.

Cuba Embassy general opening hours

The Cuban Embassy’s official current website lists broader Embassy hours as:

Monday to Friday

9:00 am – 12:30 pm
and
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

at its High Holborn premises.

These are general Embassy hours and should not be confused with the more restricted Consular public-service period.

Cuba Embassy address in London

The current official address is:

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
Consular Section
167 High Holborn
London WC1V 6PA

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ London mission page confirms 167 High Holborn as the current Embassy address.

Older references to the former Grape Street Consular premises should not be used.

Cuba Embassy contact details

Current published contact information includes:

Embassy telephone: 020 7420 3100
Consular / visa enquiries: 020 7240 2488
Consular email: consulcuba@uk.embacuba.cu

Recent Consular information confirms the High Holborn location and these contact channels.

The current counter arrangements should be reconfirmed before attending with originals.

Foreign-issued documents for use in Cuba

The UK FCDO cannot ordinarily Apostille documents issued outside the United Kingdom.

GOV.UK states that documents issued overseas must generally be legalised in the country where they were issued.

For example, an American, French or Irish public document should not simply be taken to a UK solicitor and then treated as a UK document.

Its country-of-origin authentication route needs to be established first.

The Cuban Embassy or Consulate responsible for that jurisdiction may also need to complete the final legalisation.

Does a UK solicitor signature make a foreign document British?

Not necessarily.

Certifying a copy or witnessing a signature in Britain does not automatically change the country of origin of the underlying public document.

This distinction matters for:

• Foreign corporate records
• Overseas civil certificates
• Foreign court documents
• Overseas company Powers of Attorney
• Foreign educational certificates

Send a scan before arranging UK authentication for an overseas-issued document.

Do documents need further legalisation in Cuba?

Potentially.

Consular legalisation in London authenticates the document for presentation in Cuba.

The final Cuban authority may still require a domestic step after the document arrives.

Commercial and legal matters can be particularly sensitive to local requirements.

The Cuban lawyer, notary, ministry, bank or receiving organisation should therefore confirm the final procedure.

Common reasons Cuba legalisation is delayed

Applications can encounter problems where:

• The underlying document has not been correctly certified
• An FCDO Apostille is missing
• The Spanish translation is incomplete
• The translation has not been notarised
• The translation lacks its own Apostille
• Several documents have been bundled without individual translations
• One Apostille has incorrectly been used for several independently authenticated documents
• English and Spanish versions do not correspond
• The wrong payment amount has been prepared
• Cash has not been brought
• Submission is attempted outside Consular hours
• An overseas-issued document has incorrectly followed the UK route
• The Cuban recipient requires additional local authentication

Reviewing the full set before submission can prevent costly repeat work.

Can I submit directly to the Cuban Consulate?

Yes, subject to the current Consular procedure.

Before submission, applicants should ensure that:

• The English document has the correct Apostille
• The Spanish translation is complete
• The translation has been notarised where required
• The translation carries its separate Apostille
• All required originals are available
• Correct cash payment is prepared
• Current Consular opening days have been checked

An incomplete translation or missing Apostille can result in the entire application being delayed.

Cuba Embassy legalisation only

Where both the original and translation have already completed the appropriate UK authentication, Ginkgo Advisory can assess the remaining Cuban Consular stage.

We can review:

• Original document
• FCDO Apostille
• Spanish translation
• Translation notarisation
• Translation Apostille
• Consular fee
• Submission arrangements
• Return delivery

This avoids repeating earlier authentication work unnecessarily.

Full Cuba document legalisation service

Where the document has not yet been prepared, the service can include:

• Document assessment
• Solicitor certification
• Notarial certification
• Spanish translation
• Notarisation of the translation
• FCDO Apostille for the original
• Separate FCDO Apostille for the translation
• Cuba Embassy legalisation
• Consular submission
• Collection
• Completion scan
• UK return delivery
• DHL international return

Cuba’s translation requirements mean that documents should ideally be reviewed before the first Apostille is ordered.

Frequently asked questions

Does a UK document need an FCDO Apostille for Cuba?

Yes, under the current London procedure.

The Apostille is then followed by Cuban Consular legalisation.

Is an FCDO Apostille enough for Cuba?

No.

Further legalisation by the Cuban Consulate is normally required.

Does every document need a Spanish translation?

An English-language document generally does.

A separate translation may not be necessary where the document is already in Spanish or in an acceptable bilingual English-Spanish form.

Does the translation need to be notarised?

Yes, under the current London legalisation procedure.

The notarised Spanish translation then requires its own FCDO Apostille.

Do the English document and Spanish translation each need an Apostille?

Yes.

Current guidance states that the original English document and the notarised Spanish translation should each carry their own FCDO Apostille.

Can several documents share one translation?

No.

Each underlying document should be translated appropriately.

Can several documents share one Apostille?

Current Cuba-specific guidance says each document in a multi-document set should be translated, notarised and Apostilled individually.

How much is Cuba Consulate legalisation?

Current specialist guidance lists:

£107 per document / Apostille

plus:

£24 administration fee.

Because the English and Spanish documents are separately apostilled, the complete Consular charge should be confirmed against the actual submission set.

How long does Cuba Embassy legalisation take?

Allow approximately:

3–6 working days

for the Consular stage once the complete application has been accepted.

What payment method is accepted?

Current operational guidance states:

Cash only.

What are the Cuba Consulate opening hours?

The normal Consular morning window is approximately:

9:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Current sources differ between Monday–Thursday and Monday–Friday, so the specific legalisation day should be checked before attendance.

Where is the Cuban Consulate in London?

The Consular Section is at:

167 High Holborn, London WC1V 6PA.

Can you legalise an ACRO Police Certificate for Cuba?

Yes.

The full route commonly involves:

ACRO → FCDO Apostille + notarised Spanish translation → separate FCDO Apostille → Cuba Consulate legalisation

Can you legalise a UK degree for Cuba?

Yes.

The degree may first require certification before the FCDO Apostille.

A Spanish translation must then be prepared and separately authenticated for the Cuban Consular stage.

Can you legalise a Power of Attorney for Cuba?

Yes.

The substantive wording should ideally be approved in Cuba before execution.

The UK document and Spanish version can then be prepared for notarisation, Apostilles and Cuban Consular legalisation.

Can you provide Cuba Embassy legalisation only?

Yes.

Where the original document and Spanish translation already carry the correct Apostilles, we can assess them for the remaining Cuban Consular stage.

Arrange Cuba Embassy legalisation in London

Send Ginkgo Advisory a clear scan before posting the original.

Please provide:

1. The complete English document
2. Existing FCDO Apostille, if available
3. Existing Spanish translation, if any
4. Intended use in Cuba
5. Details of the Cuban receiving authority or organisation
6. Any written instructions received from Cuba
7. Required completion date

We can then identify whether you require:

Document certification → FCDO Apostille → Spanish translation → notarisation → separate FCDO Apostille → Cuba Embassy legalisation

or only the remaining stages.

Cub​​an Consular fees, opening days, payment arrangements and document requirements can change without notice. Current sources differ on whether the London Consular counter operates Monday–Thursday or Monday–Friday, so attendance should be reconfirmed before travelling. Final acceptance remains subject to the Cuban Consulate and the receiving authority in Cuba.

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