Our solicitor can verify, certify, apostille & legalise
All UK recognised degree-awarding universities or colleges
471
recognised UK
institutions
About the Author
KH is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. KH has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
KH Lam, LLB, LLM
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
Ginkgo Advisory provides Royal Agricultural University degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their qualifications overseas.
Our service can include:
- HEDD degree verification;
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- authenticity confirmation;
- FCDO paper apostille or e-Apostille;
- a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
- embassy legalisation where required.
The Royal Agricultural University, commonly known as RAU, is a recognised UK university with degree-awarding powers. Third-party verification must normally follow its exclusive HEDD route.
Who verifies an RAU degree?
Employers, screening companies, solicitors, embassies and other authorised third parties must submit verification requests through HEDD.
The verification can confirm:
- the candidate’s name;
- qualification type;
- course title;
- award year;
- classification; and
- attendance dates.
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14. The University’s Registry team checks and completes enquiries that require institutional review.
HEDD is intended for third-party enquiries. Graduates seeking documents for their own use should normally request an official transcript, certificate or confirmation letter instead.
Strict consent requirements
RAU requires a consent form that:
- carries the candidate’s handwritten signature;
- is dated within the previous three months;
- authorises release of the academic information; and
- is uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.
A typed, digital or outdated signature may not meet the published requirement.
We also enter the graduate’s details exactly as they appear on the degree certificate. This reduces the risk of delays or a failed record match.
Information required
We normally request:
- the front and back of the certificate;
- any available academic transcript;
- the graduate’s passport;
- full name used during study;
- any former name;
- date of birth;
- student number, if known;
- course and qualification titles;
- award year and classification;
- attendance dates;
- valid signed consent; and
- the intended country of use.
Transcripts and replacement certificates
Former students who need replacement transcripts or degree certificates should contact the RAU Registry directly:
Availability, fees and processing times depend on the document and the academic record held by the University.
An official transcript or University confirmation letter may support:
- overseas employment;
- professional registration;
- further study;
- immigration applications; and
- enhanced solicitor certification.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A standard certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the document shown to the solicitor.
Enhanced solicitor certification can also use independent academic evidence. Depending on the case, our solicitor may:
- obtain HEDD verification;
- review the original degree certificate;
- compare an RAU transcript or confirmation letter;
- check the graduate’s identity and former names;
- confirm the qualification details; and
- certify the document using wording supported by the evidence.
We only confirm authenticity where reliable verification supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
After verification and solicitor certification, the document can normally proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.
The usual route is:
HEDD verification → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
The Legalisation Office checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records. It does not independently verify the graduate’s academic record. A qualification certificate or certified copy can normally be legalised after suitable certification by a UK solicitor or notary.
Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible and correctly prepared documents.
However, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It does not include:
- HEDD processing;
- Registry enquiries;
- transcript or replacement-certificate production;
- solicitor verification enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- delivery.
Both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available. An e-Apostille requires an eligible PDF electronically signed by a UK solicitor or notary. The receiving authority must also accept the electronic format.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the UK authentication stage.
For a non-Hague destination, the process may involve:
- FCDO legalisation;
- legalisation by the destination country’s embassy in London; and
- approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the destination country.
The receiving authority may request:
- the original certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- an official transcript;
- an RAU confirmation letter;
- a certified translation; or
- specific certification wording.
Therefore, we check the overseas requirements before preparing the documents.
Our process
- Review the degree certificate and destination requirements.
- Obtain a hand-signed consent form dated within three months.
- Submit the HEDD verification request.
- Review supporting RAU documents where available.
- Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
- Arrange the FCDO apostille.
- Complete embassy legalisation where required.
- Return the completed documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Royal Agricultural University recognised?
Yes. HEDD lists RAU as a recognised UK university that currently awards degrees.
Who verifies an RAU degree?
Third-party enquirers must use HEDD. RAU is an exclusive HEDD verification partner.
How much does verification cost?
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.
Can the consent form be digitally signed?
The published requirement specifies a handwritten signature dated within the previous three months.
Can I obtain a transcript or replacement certificate?
Possibly. Former students should contact registry@rau.ac.uk with their award details and document request.
Does an apostille verify the degree?
No. It authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. Academic verification remains a separate stage.
Can Ginkgo Advisory arrange a 2-working-day apostille?
Yes, once verification and solicitor certification are complete and the document is ready for FCDO submission.
Contact Ginkgo Advisory
To request a quote, please send:
- the front and back of the certificate;
- any available transcript;
- the intended country of use; and
- the receiving authority’s instructions.
Contact Us
Address
Suite 161, 30 Red Lion Street, London, TW9 1RB, England