SOAS University of London Degree Certificate: Authentication, Verification, Solicitor Certification, UK Apostille and Embassy Legalisation (2026 Guide)

If you need to use a SOAS University of London degree certificate overseas, the process is usually more than just getting a doIf you need to use a SOAS University of London degree certificate overseas, the issue is usually not just whether the document is genuine, but whether it is in the right form for the overseas authority.

In many cases, the process may involve:

verification, solicitor authentication, solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, and embassy legalisation / attestation.

These steps are related, but they are not the same. A document may be genuine, but still not be ready for overseas use.

About SOAS University of London

SOAS University of London, originally the School of Oriental and African Studies, is a specialist London university known for its focus on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It is a recognised UK degree-awarding institution.

For verification purposes, two routes are especially relevant:

• a certified copy of the degree certificate issued directly by SOAS
• HEDD verification for third-party checks

1) Certified copy issued directly by SOAS

SOAS allows graduates to request a certified copy of their degree certificate by emailing the university, attaching a scan of the original certificate, and giving clear instructions on how and to whom the certified copy should be sent.

This route can be useful where:

• the receiving party prefers a copy sent from the university
• the original certificate should not be sent abroad
• the file needs a stronger starting document before certification

2) HEDD verification

SOAS also appears on HEDD, which can be used to verify:

• whether the person studied there
• the award obtained
• the grade
• attendance dates

This is often useful where an employer, authority or institution wants a formal third-party degree check.

For some distance learning courses, SOAS directs enquirers to the University of London instead.

Solicitor authentication and solicitor certification

These two terms are often mixed together, but they are different.

Solicitor authentication means reviewing the degree certificate and supporting evidence to assess whether the document appears genuine and whether the verification path is credible.

For a SOAS file, that may include reviewing:

• the certificate itself
• a SOAS-certified copy
• HEDD verification results
• transcripts or official university letters
• identity and source context

Solicitor certification is the formal certification wording placed on the copy or printout for the next stage, often apostille or legalisation.

At Ginkgo Advisory, we do not treat this as a bare “certified true copy of a document presented to me” exercise. Where appropriate, we review the authenticity pathway behind the document first, so the certification is supported by more than someone simply showing us a printout.

When extra documents may help

In some cases, the degree certificate alone may not be the best underlying document.

You may also need:

• a transcript
• a degree confirmation letter
• a replacement certificate
• a university-certified copy

This can matter where the original has been lost, the receiving authority wants more supporting documents, or the file needs a better basis before certification and apostille.

FCDO apostille

After certification, the next step is often the UK apostille from the FCDO.

The apostille confirms the UK signature or certification on the document so it can move forward for overseas use.

At Ginkgo Advisory, we can assist with fast-track UK apostille, including 2 working days apostille service for suitable cases.

Embassy legalisation / attestation

Some countries accept apostille alone. Others also require embassy legalisation or consular attestation after apostille.

Depending on the country, this may involve:

• embassy submission
• consular endorsement
• translations
• additional supporting documents

A common route may look like this:

SOAS degree certificate or university-issued certified copy → verification → solicitor authentication → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation / attestation

How Ginkgo Advisory can help

At Ginkgo Advisory, we assist with the full process for overseas use of UK academic documents, including:

• SOAS document review
• support for university-issued certified copies
• HEDD verification support
• solicitor authentication
• solicitor certification
• FCDO apostille
• 2 working days UK apostille service
• embassy legalisation / attestation

Our approach is different from agents or solicitors who merely certify that a printout was presented to them. Where appropriate, we help build a stronger file by checking the verification trail first.

Final point

If you need to use a SOAS University of London degree certificate overseas, it is usually safer to think in stages:

verification first, then authentication, then certification, then apostille, and finally embassy legalisation where required.

That usually creates a cleaner document trail and reduces the risk of rejection or delay.