Sudan Embassy in London Legalisation

UK documents intended for official use in Sudan generally require authentication before they can be accepted by Sudanese authorities.

For documents issued in the United Kingdom, the normal process begins with an FCDO Apostille. The apostilled document is then submitted to the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in London for further legalisation or authentication.

The Sudan Embassy’s current official guidance states that documents issued by UK competent authorities must first be authenticated by the UK Foreign Office before reaching the Embassy.

Commercial documents can require additional processing through the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). Sudan remains one of the Arab League destinations covered by the Arab-British commercial-document system.

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with the complete process or with Sudan Embassy legalisation only where the preliminary authentication has already been completed.

Sudan Embassy legalisation service at a glance

Document type	Typical route
UK personal document	FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy legalisation
UK academic document	Certification where required → FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy
UK company document	Certification/notarisation where required → FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy
Commercial trade document	FCDO where applicable → LCCI → ABCC → Sudan Embassy
Certificate of Origin	LCCI → ABCC → Sudan Embassy
Commercial invoice	LCCI → ABCC → Sudan Embassy; fee may depend on invoice value
Sudan-issued document	Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication first
Republic of Ireland document	Irish authentication first; London acceptance should be confirmed

The exact process depends on the document rather than simply the country where it will ultimately be used.

What is Sudan Embassy legalisation?

Sudan Embassy legalisation is the authentication of a document by the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in London.

For an ordinary UK document, the process commonly looks like this:

UK document → certification or notarisation where required → FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy legalisation

Some official UK certificates can proceed directly to the FCDO.

Private documents, copies, Powers of Attorney and privately executed company documents may first need certification by a practising solicitor or Notary Public.

Is an FCDO Apostille enough for Sudan?

Normally, no.

The Sudan Embassy currently requires documents issued by UK competent authorities to complete the UK Foreign Office authentication stage before they are presented for Sudanese authentication.

The usual route is therefore:

FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy legalisation

Commercial documents can require Chamber processing as well.

The receiving authority in Sudan may impose additional requirements depending on the transaction or purpose.

Already have an FCDO Apostille?

Where a document already carries the correct Apostille, the FCDO stage does not normally need to be repeated.

Ginkgo Advisory can assess the document for Sudan Embassy legalisation only.

Please send us:

1. A clear scan of the complete document
2. A scan of the FCDO Apostille
3. The intended use in Sudan
4. Details of the Sudanese receiving authority or organisation
5. Any instructions received from Sudan
6. Your required completion date

For commercial documents, also provide any related invoice, Certificate of Origin or transaction information.

Which documents can require Sudan Embassy legalisation?

The Embassy currently divides authentication applications into commercial, academic and immigration-related documents.

Personal documents

Examples can include:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage documents
• Divorce documents
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• Medical certificates
• Certificates of Good Conduct
• Employment documents
• Affidavits
• Statutory declarations
• Powers of Attorney
• Passport-related documents
• Other personal certificates

The required UK preparation depends on whether the FCDO can authenticate the document directly.

Academic documents

Educational documents can include:

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

The Embassy currently applies different consular fees to university certificates and school certificates.

Commercial documents

Common examples include:

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Commercial certificates
• Company agreements
• Business contracts
• Commercial Powers of Attorney
• Agency agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Certificates of Free Sale
• Pharmaceutical documents
• Medicine export documents
• Certificates of Origin
• Commercial invoices
• Other export documentation

The Sudan Embassy specifically identifies Certificates of Origin, Certificates of Incorporation, business contracts, Certificates of Free Sale and medicines or drugs export documents among the commercial documents requiring authentication.

Current Sudan Embassy legalisation fees

The Sudan Embassy’s own current website now publishes document-specific fees rather than one general personal or commercial rate.

The current schedule includes:

Document type	Embassy fee
Commercial certificate	£160
Company agreement	£240
Power of Attorney made outside the Embassy	£40
Medical certificate	£40
School certificate	£40
University certificate	£25
Work experience certificate	£40
Job contract	£40
Birth certificate	£40
Certificate of Good Conduct	£40

The older general figures of £30–£45 for private documents and £218.50 for commercial documents should therefore not be used as a universal current tariff.

Documents not specifically listed should be checked before payment.

Commercial document fees

The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce currently lists Sudan commercial legalisation charges of:

• Certificate of Origin: £160
• Invoice: £160
• Other commercial document: £160

The ABCC’s Sudan-specific table is marked as last updated on 26 April 2023.

The Sudan Embassy’s own current page independently lists £160 for commercial certificates, but £240 for company agreements.

Accordingly, £160 should not automatically be applied to every company document.

Current LCCI and ABCC charge

LCCI’s July 2026 price list gives the current Chamber certification/legalisation charge as:

£59.70 including VAT

for an original:

• Arab Certificate of Origin
• Export Invoice
• Other commercial document

Embassy fees are expressly excluded from this £59.70 figure.

For a commercial document carrying a £160 Sudan Embassy charge, the indicative Chamber-plus-Embassy amount is therefore:

£59.70 + £160 = £219.70

This replaces the older £218.50 planning figure.

FCDO, notarial, delivery and professional fees remain additional.

Company agreements

A company agreement is treated differently under the Embassy’s current tariff.

The published Sudan Embassy fee is:

£240 per company agreement.

Adding the current £59.70 Chamber charge gives an indicative amount of:

£299.70

before FCDO, notarisation, courier and professional charges.

The document should therefore be classified correctly before a quotation is issued.

Commercial invoices

Commercial invoices require particular care.

The Sudan Embassy expressly states that invoice fees may vary depending on the total value of the invoice.

A fixed commercial fee should therefore not be quoted without first reviewing:

• Invoice value
• Currency
• Exporter
• Sudanese consignee
• Goods
• Certificate of Origin
• Other related export documents

The ABCC currently shows £160 against an invoice in its Sudan schedule, but the Embassy retains the ability to vary the fee by invoice value.

The Embassy assessment should take precedence for the final amount.

Commercial documents and the Arab-British Chamber

Sudan remains within the Arab-British trade-documentation system.

The ABCC states that commercial documents destined for Arab League countries should be verified and certified by the Chamber before Embassy legalisation where that route applies.

LCCI currently processes documents including:

• Powers of Attorney
• Distributor agreements
• Health certificates
• Certificates of Free Sale
• Trademark certificates
• Commercial contracts
• Articles of Association
• Certificates of Incorporation

before forwarding them to the ABCC and Embassy where required.

FCDO Apostille for Sudan commercial documents

For Sudan, the ABCC’s current country requirements state that other commercial documents submitted for legalisation must first be presented to the FCDO.

A typical commercial route can therefore be:

Commercial document → notarisation where required → FCDO Apostille → LCCI → ABCC → Sudan Embassy legalisation

Certificates of Origin and related export documents follow the appropriate Chamber trade-document route.

The entire transaction should be reviewed before the document is notarised.

Certificates of Origin for Sudan

Sudan uses the Arab-British Certificate of Origin system.

LCCI expressly lists Sudan among the countries covered by its Arab Certificate service.

A Certificate of Origin must normally be supported by the related commercial invoice.

The Sudan Embassy’s own guidance also states that a Certificate of Origin must be accompanied by its corresponding commercial invoice.

Additional evidence can be required where the goods originate outside the UK.

Supporting evidence for Certificates of Origin

LCCI may request documents such as:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Manufacturer’s invoice
• Foreign Certificate of Origin
• Supplier declaration
• Other evidence establishing the origin of the goods

The current LCCI instructions require a Certificate of Origin application to be accompanied by an original signed commercial invoice and supporting origin evidence where relevant.

Missing evidence can delay Chamber processing.

Photocopy requirements

The Sudan Embassy currently requires:

A copy of every page presented for authentication, including the stamp page and all attachments.

This is clearer than older guidance referring simply to one photocopy for private documents.

Commercial Chamber applications can require additional copies.

LCCI’s Arab-document instructions currently state that for full Embassy legalisation, applicants should provide multiple photocopies of invoices and other commercial documents.

The required number should be checked for the particular Chamber submission before dispatch.

Bundled documents

The Sudan Embassy permits certain multi-page documents to be presented as a securely bound bundle.

Where a bundle is intended to be legalised as one unit, the Embassy requires the pages to be securely bound using ribbon or tape.

The Notary Public’s wafer seal must then be impressed over the ends of the ribbon or tape on the front page.

Documents that do not meet this physical binding requirement can be rejected.

This should not be interpreted as an automatic right to place unrelated documents under one legalisation or one fee.

The document type and structure should be checked first.

Academic certificates

Academic documents have their own requirements.

Where a certified copy of an academic certificate is being authenticated, the Sudan Embassy requires the original certificate to be shown.

The original is returned together with the authenticated certified copy.

A copy of each document being authenticated must also accompany the application.

University certificate legalisation

The Embassy’s current fee for a university certificate is:

£25 per document.

A UK degree may first need appropriate certification before the FCDO Apostille.

A typical route is:

UK degree → certification where required → FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy legalisation

The Sudanese employer, university or authority may separately request direct verification from the issuing institution.

School certificate legalisation

The current Sudan Embassy fee for a school certificate is:

£40 per document.

School reports, certificates or other educational records may need solicitor or notarial certification if the FCDO cannot directly authenticate the issuing signature.

The final recipient’s requirements should be checked before certification begins.

Work experience certificates

The Embassy currently charges:

£40 per work experience certificate.

Employment and experience documents can require verification or appropriate solicitor/notarial certification before obtaining an Apostille.

Where the Sudanese employer has provided its own wording or verification requirement, this should be followed.

Job contracts

The current Embassy tariff lists:

£40 per job contract.

A privately signed employment contract will usually require an eligible UK signature before it can receive an FCDO Apostille.

The appropriate certification should be established before the contract is executed.

Birth certificate legalisation

The Sudan Embassy currently lists:

£40 per birth certificate.

For a UK birth certificate, the route will normally be:

UK Birth Certificate → FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy legalisation

Supporting identification may also be needed depending on the purpose in Sudan.

Certificate of Good Conduct

The current Embassy authentication fee is:

£40 per Certificate of Good Conduct.

For a UK ACRO Police Certificate, the usual legalisation chain is:

ACRO Police Certificate → FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy legalisation

The Sudanese authority should confirm any validity period imposed on criminal-record documents.

Medical certificates

Medical certificates currently carry a Sudan Embassy fee of:

£40 per document.

The document may first need an eligible medical or professional signature authenticated for FCDO purposes.

Legalisation does not correct missing medical information.

The contents should therefore satisfy the Sudanese authority before authentication begins.

Powers of Attorney

The Sudan Embassy currently lists:

£40 for a Power of Attorney made outside the Embassy.

A UK Power of Attorney can therefore follow:

Signing / notarisation → FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy legalisation

The Embassy also operates its own Power of Attorney service for qualifying Sudanese applicants.

Its current official procedure for a POA executed directly at the Embassy requires personal attendance, valid Sudanese identification and two qualifying witnesses.

These two routes should not be confused.

Commercial Powers of Attorney

A company Power of Attorney may additionally require Chamber processing.

The document should clearly identify:

• UK company name
• Company number
• Registered address
• Signatory
• Signatory’s capacity
• Sudanese attorney or agent
• Scope of authority

Where the Chamber route applies, the process can involve:

Notarisation → FCDO Apostille → LCCI → ABCC → Sudan Embassy

The wording should ideally be approved by the Sudanese lawyer or receiving organisation before signature.

Sudan Embassy processing time

The Embassy’s own current authentication page now states:

Authentication applications may take up to 3 business days.

This is substantially shorter than older published guidance suggesting 6–8 working days for private documents.

The Embassy nevertheless reserves the right to extend the processing period where checks with authorities in Sudan are required.

For planning purposes, processing should therefore not be treated as guaranteed.

Commercial Chamber processing time

Commercial documents routed through LCCI and the ABCC require additional time.

LCCI currently states that:

• LCCI + ABCC certification only: up to 2 working days
• LCCI + ABCC + Arab Embassy legalisation: approximately 5–15 working days depending on the Embassy

Another current LCCI guidance page describes around 7–10 days where the Embassy legalisation stage is included.

For a Sudan commercial application, allowing around 8–12 working days remains a reasonable planning range for the complete Chamber route, but it should not be represented as a guaranteed Embassy processing time.

Payment for direct Sudan Embassy applications

The Embassy currently accepts different payment arrangements depending on submission method.

Applications sent by post

A UK Postal Order payable to:

The Embassy of Sudan, London

must be included.

A secure self-addressed return envelope should also accompany the documents.

Courier or in-person applications

The Embassy currently accepts:

• Cash
• Postal Order

Personal and other cheques are not accepted.

The payment requirement should be checked again immediately before submission.

Postal legalisation

Applicants do not necessarily need to attend the Embassy personally.

The current Sudan Embassy guidance expressly states that documents may be sent by post after the authentication requirements have been followed.

Postal applications should include:

• Original authenticated document
• Required copies
• Postal Order
• Secure self-addressed envelope
• Return address

The Embassy states that it does not accept responsibility for documents lost in the post.

A tracked postal service is therefore advisable.

Documents issued in Sudan

Sudanese-issued documents follow the reverse authentication process.

The Embassy’s current guidance states that documents issued by competent authorities in Sudan must first be authenticated by the:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sudan.

The correct preliminary Sudanese authority depends on the document.

These documents should not be sent to the UK FCDO simply because the holder is now in Britain.

Republic of Ireland documents

Current specialist London guidance continues to state that the Sudan Embassy in London also handles documents issued in the Republic of Ireland, provided they have first been legalised by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Sudan Embassy’s own broader current wording states that documents originating outside the UK must complete the appropriate authentication through the country of issue and relevant Sudanese diplomatic authority.

Irish documents should therefore be assessed before the original is sent to London.

Other foreign-issued documents

Foreign documents require particular care.

The Sudan Embassy’s current page states that documents issued outside Sudan or the UK require authentication through the relevant authorities in the country of issue and the appropriate Sudanese Embassy or Consulate.

The correct route depends on:

• Country of issue
• Issuing authority
• Whether a Sudanese mission exists there
• Nature of the document
• Intended use

A document should not automatically be treated as British simply because its holder lives in the UK.

Commercial documents from foreign companies

The country of incorporation should be established before a foreign company’s document is notarised in Britain.

A document issued on behalf of an overseas company can require authentication through the company’s own jurisdiction rather than the ordinary UK corporate-document route.

Examples include:

• Foreign company Powers of Attorney
• Overseas board resolutions
• Agency appointments
• Commercial contracts
• Corporate declarations

Send us the document and company details before arranging an FCDO Apostille.

Current FCDO Apostille fees

Current statutory FCDO fees include:

Apostille service	FCDO fee per document
Standard paper Apostille	£45
Next-Day paper Apostille	£40
e-Apostille	£35
Restricted Urgent service	£100

Eligibility and availability vary by service and document type.

FCDO return delivery and professional charges are additional.

Does the document require notarisation?

Not every document does.

Certain UK public documents can be Apostilled directly.

Other documents may first require certification by a practising solicitor or Notary Public.

Common examples include:

• Powers of Attorney
• Private company documents
• Contracts
• Passport copies
• Private declarations
• Copies of academic certificates

The appropriate certification should be established before the FCDO application is made.

Can documents be submitted electronically?

Commercial Arab-British documents can begin through LCCI’s electronic certification systems where the service permits.

The physical Embassy legalisation stage may still require original documents.

For commercial legalisation, LCCI advises applicants to contact its Trade Documentation team before sending originals.

The format required by the Sudan Embassy should therefore be considered before choosing an electronic-only document.

Sudan Embassy Consular opening hours

The Sudan Embassy’s current official website lists:

Consular services:
10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Monday to Friday

The Embassy itself is open:

10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Applicants using the document-authentication service should follow the Consular service hours, rather than relying on the wider Embassy opening period.

Sudan Embassy address in London

The current address is:

Embassy of the Republic of Sudan
3 Cleveland Row
St. James’s
London SW1A 1DD

The Embassy’s current official website confirms this address.

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7839 8080
Email: info@sudanembassy.org.uk

Common reasons Sudan legalisation is delayed

Applications can encounter problems where:

• The FCDO Apostille is missing
• A private document required notarisation first
• The wrong signature was Apostilled
• Copies of all pages are missing
• A commercial document has not completed the Chamber route
• A Certificate of Origin is missing its commercial invoice
• The invoice value has not been disclosed
• Commercial fees have been calculated incorrectly
• A multi-page bundle has not been securely bound
• The notarial ribbon or wafer seal is inadequate
• An academic copy is submitted without the original
• Incorrect payment has been provided
• A postal application lacks a return envelope
• A foreign document has followed the wrong country-of-origin route

Reviewing the document before authentication can avoid repeating expensive stages.

Can I submit directly to the Sudan Embassy?

Yes, provided the document has completed all required preliminary authentication.

The Embassy accepts:

• Postal applications
• Courier submissions
• In-person submissions

subject to its current procedures.

Commercial documents may need to complete LCCI and ABCC processing first.

Sudan Embassy legalisation only

Clients who already have an acceptable FCDO Apostille can instruct Ginkgo Advisory for the remaining Embassy stage.

We can review:

• Document
• Apostille
• Document category
• Embassy fee
• Commercial Chamber requirement
• Copies
• Bundle requirements
• Payment arrangements
• Return delivery

This prevents unnecessary repetition of the FCDO stage.

Full Sudan document legalisation service

Where the document has not yet been prepared, we can assess the complete authentication route.

Depending on the document, this can include:

• Document review
• Solicitor certification
• Notarial certification
• FCDO Apostille
• London Chamber processing
• Arab-British Chamber certification
• Sudan Embassy legalisation
• Commercial-document assessment
• Certificate of Origin processing
• Consular submission
• Collection
• Completion scan
• Royal Mail Special Delivery
• DHL international return

Commercial documents should be reviewed together with any related invoice or export paperwork.

Frequently asked questions

Is this process for Sudan or South Sudan?

This page concerns the Republic of Sudan, sometimes described in legalisation guidance as Sudan (North) to distinguish it from South Sudan.

South Sudan has its own Embassy, fees and legalisation procedure.

Does a UK document need an FCDO Apostille for Sudan?

Generally, yes.

The Sudan Embassy’s current guidance states that UK-issued documents must first be authenticated by the UK Foreign Office.

Is an FCDO Apostille enough for Sudan?

Normally, no.

The document generally proceeds to the Sudan Embassy for further authentication.

Commercial documents can require Chamber certification as well.

How much is Sudan Embassy legalisation?

There is no longer one reliable flat rate for every document.

The Embassy’s current fees include:

• University certificate: £25
• Birth certificate: £40
• Medical certificate: £40
• Work experience certificate: £40
• Job contract: £40
• Power of Attorney: £40
• Commercial certificate: £160
• Company agreement: £240

How much is commercial legalisation through the Chambers?

LCCI’s current July 2026 certification/legalisation charge is £59.70 before the Sudan Embassy fee.

For a £160 Embassy-fee document, the indicative Chamber-plus-Embassy amount is therefore £219.70.

How much is a commercial invoice?

It should be quoted individually.

The Embassy specifically states that invoice charges may vary according to the total invoice value.

How long does Sudan Embassy legalisation take?

The Embassy’s current official guidance says authentication applications may take:

Up to 3 business days.

Additional checks can extend the timeframe.

How long does the commercial Chamber route take?

LCCI currently states that full LCCI + ABCC + Embassy legalisation can take approximately:

5–15 working days, depending on the Embassy.

Around 8–12 working days is a reasonable planning period for a Sudan commercial case.

Do I need photocopies?

Yes.

The Embassy requires a copy of every page and attachment presented for authentication.

Commercial Chamber processing can require additional copies.

Can documents be bundled?

Potentially.

A multi-page bundle must be securely bound with ribbon or tape, with the Notary Public’s wafer seal impressed over the ends.

Acceptance still depends on the document.

Do I need to show the original degree certificate?

Yes, where a certified copy of an academic certificate is being authenticated.

The original must be presented for comparison and will be returned with the legalised copy.

Does Sudan accept documents issued in Ireland?

Current specialist London guidance states that Republic of Ireland documents can be handled after prior legalisation by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

The current requirements should be reconfirmed before sending the original.

How do I pay the Sudan Embassy?

For postal submissions, the Embassy requires a UK Postal Order.

For courier or in-person applications, it currently accepts cash or Postal Order.

Can documents be sent by post?

Yes.

The Embassy expressly permits postal authentication applications and requires a secure self-addressed return envelope.

What are the Consular opening hours?

Current official hours are:

10:00 am–2:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Where is the Sudan Embassy in London?

The Embassy is at:

3 Cleveland Row, St. James’s, London SW1A 1DD.

Can you provide Sudan Embassy legalisation only?

Yes.

Where the document already carries the correct FCDO Apostille or has completed the applicable Chamber stage, we can assess it for the remaining Embassy authentication.

Arrange Sudan Embassy legalisation in London

Send Ginkgo Advisory a clear scan before posting the original.

Please provide:

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

For commercial documents, also provide:

• Document type
• Commercial invoice
• Certificate of Origin where relevant
• Invoice value and currency
• Exporter details
• Sudanese consignee details
• Country of origin of the goods

We can then identify whether the appropriate process is:

FCDO Apostille → Sudan Embassy legalisation

or the extended commercial route:

FCDO where required → LCCI → ABCC → Sudan Embassy legalisation

Sudan Embassy, LCCI, ABCC and FCDO requirements can change without notice. Embassy charges vary significantly by document type, and commercial invoice charges may depend on invoice value. Current fees and processing arrangements should therefore be confirmed for each application.