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 Veterinary College degree verification and apostille services for graduates who need to use their academic documents overseas.
Our service can include:
- HEDD degree verification;
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- authenticity confirmation;
- certified true copies;
- FCDO paper apostille or e-Apostille;
- a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
- embassy legalisation where required.
The Royal Veterinary College, commonly known as RVC, is a recognised UK institution that currently awards degrees.
Who verifies an RVC degree?
Third-party enquirers can verify Royal Veterinary College qualifications through HEDD.
The verification can check:
- whether the candidate is a current or former student;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.
Candidate consent
The candidate must sign a consent form authorising the verification request.
The enquirer can upload the signed form as a:
- PDF;
- JPG;
- PNG; or
- TIF file.
We normally request:
- the front and back of the certificate;
- any available transcript;
- the candidate’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;
- signed candidate consent; and
- the intended country of use.
Using the exact information shown on the academic documents improves the chance of a successful record match.
Degree verification is not registration verification
HEDD and the Royal Veterinary College can confirm academic qualifications.
However, they do not confirm whether a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse currently holds professional registration.
To check UK registration status, the enquirer should search the registers maintained by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, known as RCVS. Its register covers veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses who are eligible to practise in the UK.
Therefore:
- RVC verification confirms the academic qualification; while
- RCVS verification confirms professional registration status.
An employer or overseas authority may require both.
Transcripts and Confirmation of Award letters
Graduates can request an official:
- academic transcript; or
- Confirmation of Award letter.
Requests should be sent to:
RVC can also send these documents directly to a third party when the graduate provides the recipient’s details.
An academic transcript or award letter may support:
- overseas employment;
- professional registration;
- further study;
- immigration applications; and
- enhanced solicitor certification.
Graduates seeking a replacement certificate should contact the same RVC academic-records team for the current requirements.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A standard certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the original document shown to the solicitor.
However, it does not independently prove that RVC issued the qualification.
Enhanced solicitor certification can also use academic verification. Depending on the case, our solicitor may:
- obtain HEDD verification;
- review the original degree certificate;
- compare an official RVC transcript or award letter;
- check the graduate’s identity and former names;
- confirm the award 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, an eligible document can normally proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.
The usual route is:
HEDD verification → enhanced 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 academic qualification.
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;
- transcript or letter production;
- solicitor verification enquiries;
- professional registration checks;
- embassy legalisation; or
- delivery.
Both paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available. The receiving authority must accept the selected format.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.
The overseas authority may request:
- the original degree certificate;
- a solicitor-certified copy;
- HEDD verification;
- an academic transcript;
- a Confirmation of Award letter;
- evidence of RCVS registration;
- a certified translation; or
- specific certification wording.
For a non-Hague destination, further embassy and destination-country processing may be required.
Therefore, we check the destination and professional regulator’s requirements before preparing the documents.
Our process
- Review the degree certificate and overseas requirements.
- Obtain the candidate’s signed consent.
- Submit the HEDD verification request.
- Check RCVS registration separately where required.
- Review supporting RVC academic documents.
- 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 Veterinary College recognised?
Yes. HEDD lists RVC as a recognised UK institution that currently awards degrees.
Who verifies an RVC degree?
Third-party enquirers can verify the qualification through HEDD.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current enquiry fee is £14.
Do I need candidate consent?
Yes. HEDD requires a consent form signed by the candidate.
Does HEDD confirm that someone can practise as a vet?
No. HEDD confirms academic information. Current professional registration must be checked separately through the RCVS register.
Can I verify a veterinary nurse’s registration?
Yes. The RCVS provides a separate register for veterinary nurses.
Can I obtain an RVC transcript?
Yes. Graduates can request an official transcript from transcripts@rvc.ac.uk.
Can I obtain a Confirmation of Award letter?
Yes. RVC can provide an official Confirmation of Award letter and can send it to a third party where requested.
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 degree certificate;
- any available transcript;
- the intended country of use; and
- the receiving authority or regulator’s instructions.
Contact Us
Address
Suite 161, 30 Red Lion Street, London, TW9 1RB, England