FCDO e-Apostille for Romania: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in Romania?

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

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

However, completion depends on document checks, submission times and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in Romania

Romania and the United Kingdom use the Hague Apostille system.

Therefore, an eligible UK document can normally receive an FCDO apostille instead of further legalisation by the Romanian Embassy or Consulate. Romania’s CNRED explains that an apostille allows an official document from one Hague Convention country to be presented in another Convention country.

Before starting, ask the Romanian recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an e-Apostille or paper apostille
• a Romanian translation
• separate apostilles for each document
• one combined legalised PDF
• a recently issued document

These checks can prevent delays and extra costs.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many UK documents.

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• school certificates
• professional qualifications

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House documents
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• 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
• professional certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates

The correct route depends on the document and its intended use in Romania.

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 statement may meet a simple certified-copy request. However, it does not confirm that the issuing organisation created a genuine document.

Therefore, a Romanian university, employer or public authority may ask for stronger proof.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond basic true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. The source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official online system.

Next, we prepare stronger wording, such as:

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

As a result, the Romanian recipient receives both a certified copy and confirmation of the source check.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate steps.

Verification means checking the document with its issuing source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

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

Meanwhile, company checks may involve Companies House records.

Court-document checks can include the seal, case number, court email or official issue record.

Afterwards, 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. It then issues an apostille when the document meets its rules.

Qualification certificates, contracts, powers of attorney and certified passport copies can receive legalisation after certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

However, an apostille does not confirm every fact inside the document.

For this reason, enhanced solicitor certification can add an important extra step.

The legalisation chain may look like this:

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

Together, these stages create a clear document trail for use in Romania.

FCDO e-Apostille for Romania

The FCDO offers paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.

For the electronic route, a UK solicitor or notary must electronically sign the PDF. Once completed, the legalised file can 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.

Nevertheless, ask the Romanian recipient whether it accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed copy of the digital document
• a paper apostille attached to an original

A paper apostille may work better when the authority requires a physical original.

Express e-Apostille Service for Romania

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day when:

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

The FCDO publishes an e-Apostille processing time of up to two working days. Signature checks or further questions may extend that period.

Therefore, urgent clients should send the document and the Romanian recipient’s instructions as early as possible.

Educational Documents for Romania

UK educational documents may support:

• Romanian university admission
• postgraduate study
• employment
• CNRED recognition
• professional registration
• regulated professions
• teaching applications
• immigration or residence procedures

Common documents include a Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript.

A Degree Certificate confirms the award. In contrast, an Academic Transcript lists subjects, grades, credits and study dates.

However, an apostille does not decide how Romania will recognise a UK qualification.

The applicant may also need:

• a CNRED recognition certificate
• direct university verification
• a professional-body decision
• course descriptions
• certified copies
• Romanian translations

CNRED Recognition of UK Qualifications

The National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas is known as CNRED.

CNRED handles many applications involving foreign school and higher-education qualifications. Its procedures may require the foreign diploma to carry an apostille or other authentication where applicable.

For higher-education recognition, CNRED may ask for:

• the Degree Certificate
• the Academic Transcript
• proof of identity
• proof of a name change, where relevant
• course details in some cases
• an apostille
• translations where required

CNRED states that study documents issued in English usually do not need a Romanian translation for several recognition procedures. Documents in other languages may need a certified or legalised Romanian translation.

Nevertheless, the university, employer or other Romanian body may set different translation rules.

UK Degree Verification for Romania

A basic certified copy may not satisfy every Romanian recipient.

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

The process may include:

• reviewing the Degree Certificate
• checking the Academic Transcript
• using an official verification platform
• contacting the university
• preparing enhanced certification
• electronically signing the PDF
• arranging the FCDO apostille

This process records how we checked the qualification.

However, it does not replace CNRED recognition or professional approval where the recipient requires a separate assessment.

Professional Qualifications in Romania

Romania regulates many professions.

Applicants may need formal recognition before working as:

• doctors
• dentists
• pharmacists
• nurses
• midwives
• veterinarians
• architects
• teachers
• lawyers
• accountants
• authorised translators

Different Romanian bodies handle different regulated professions. For example, health bodies, professional orders, ministries and other competent authorities may make the final decision.

Therefore, obtain the regulator’s written document list before arranging certification.

The authority may request:

• the Degree Certificate
• the Academic Transcript
• a course syllabus
• proof of UK registration
• employment evidence
• apostilled documents
• Romanian translations

Company Documents for Romania

UK company documents may support:

• registering a Romanian branch
• forming a Romanian subsidiary
• opening a corporate bank account
• commercial contracts
• investment transactions
• tenders
• tax matters
• proving directors or shareholders

Official Companies House certificates may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

However, company-created documents usually need solicitor certification first.

Examples include:

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

Romanian company requirements may differ between registries, banks, notaries and lawyers.

Therefore, ask for a document checklist before starting.

Court Documents for Romania

UK court documents may need legalisation for:

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

Examples include:

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

The correct route depends on the document format.

For example, a court document with a wet-ink court seal may qualify for direct paper legalisation. An electronic court document may first need solicitor verification and certification.

Because Romanian court and civil-status rules can vary, confirm the required format with the court, registry office, lawyer or notary.

Does Romania Require a Romanian Translation?

The answer depends on the procedure.

CNRED often accepts educational documents written in English without a Romanian translation. However, documents in other languages may require a certified or legalised Romanian version.

Other Romanian authorities may still require a translation even when the original document is in English.

Before arranging a translation, ask:

• whether the recipient accepts English
• whether it needs an authorised Romanian translation
• whether a notary must legalise the translator’s signature
• whether the apostille also needs translation
• whether every page and annex must be translated
• whether the translator must be authorised in Romania

Often, applicants complete the apostille first. Afterwards, the translator prepares the Romanian version of the full legalised document.

Romanian Immigration and Residence Applications

UK documents may support Romanian work, residence or family applications.

Examples include:

• Degree Certificates
• employment letters
• marriage certificates
• birth certificates
• divorce documents
• police certificates
• proof of company ownership

GOV.UK advises applicants to check whether Romanian work documents must be translated, legalised, notarised, signed in ink or issued within a set period.

Therefore, follow the exact list issued by the Romanian immigration authority, employer or lawyer.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

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

Examples include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

In addition, a Romanian authority may request a physical document even when the FCDO offers an electronic route.

Separate or Combined Apostilles?

Several related documents can sometimes form one certified PDF.

However, this approach does not suit every Romanian application.

Separate apostilles may work better when:

• the Degree Certificate and Transcript have different uses
• CNRED or a university wants separate files
• each document will go to a different authority
• the recipient requests individual apostilles
• the documents come from different issuers

GOV.UK advises applicants to check 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 Romanian Requirements

Include any instructions from the Romanian authority, university, employer, court, bank, notary or company.

Step 3: Check Whether an Apostille Is Needed

We first review whether the recipient requires legalisation.

Step 4: Select the Correct Route

Next, we check whether the document needs an e-Apostille or paper apostille.

Step 5: Verify the Document

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

Step 6: Prepare Enhanced Certification

We draft the correct wording and apply the solicitor’s electronic signature.

Step 7: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

Our team then submits the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 8: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed legalised document.

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

Need an Apostille for Romania?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in Romania
• the name of the Romanian recipient
• any written requirements
• your required completion date

We will check whether an apostille is necessary and confirm the suitable 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 Romania accept an FCDO apostille?

Yes. Romania and the United Kingdom use the Hague Apostille system. Therefore, an eligible UK document can normally use an FCDO apostille instead of further Romanian consular legalisation.

Does Romania accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

A UK e-Apostille may suit digital applications. However, you should confirm that the specific Romanian authority accepts an electronically signed PDF.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some Romanian recipients may also want confirmation that the solicitor checked the document with its issuer.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the university provides a reliable verification route.

Does an apostille replace CNRED recognition?

No. An apostille authenticates the relevant signature or seal. CNRED assesses or recognises the foreign qualification for the Romanian purpose.

Can you apostille an Academic Transcript?

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

Does Romania require a Romanian translation?

Not always. CNRED often accepts educational documents issued in English. However, another Romanian authority may still request an authorised translation.

Can an ACRO Police Certificate receive an e-Apostille?

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

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. However, the Romanian recipient may request a separate apostille for each document.