TRO London Authentication Requirements for UK Documents Used in Taiwan

The Taipei Representative Office in the UK requires a complete postal application for document authentication. The TRO states that it does not take responsibility for third-party services, including agents, the post office or delivery service providers.

This means applicants should prepare the application carefully before posting it to TRO London.

1. Authentication Application Form

You must complete the Authentication Application Form clearly and in full.

You must add your wet signature and the date of application. Your signature should match the signature shown on your passport.

The form also asks you to state the purpose of authentication. The form makes clear that this section must be completed, or the document will be rejected.

2. Applicant’s Identification Documents

You should provide a clear, high-quality and unobstructed photocopy of your valid passport.

For applications involving marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates or no impediment certificates, you should also include passport photocopies for every designated person named on the document.

This is important for Taiwan document authentication because TRO London needs to match the applicant and the relevant persons connected to the document.

3. Original Documents with FCDO Paper Apostille

You must provide the original document with the FCDO apostille, plus one photocopy of both sides.

The following documents must be legalised by the FCDO Legalisation Office with a paper-based apostille only before submission to TRO London:

• marriage certificate
• death certificate
• birth certificate
• medical report
• police certificate
• no impediment certificate issued by a UK local council register office
• notarised photocopy of UK passport or UK driving licence

For birth certificates, the document must show both parents’ names. You should check with the relevant British authority if you are unsure.

For resident visa applications, TRO states that it only accepts a police certificate issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office.

For couples getting married in Taiwan, TRO states that it only authenticates a Certificate of No Impediment as proof of single status, due to Taiwan registration office requirements.

TRO London cannot directly authenticate a UK passport or UK driving licence. You should provide a notarised photocopy of the UK passport or UK driving licence with a paper-based FCDO apostille.

4. Payment Method for TRO London

TRO London accepts bank transfer payment for the London office.

You should check the correct fee before payment. The payment must be made in pounds sterling. The bank transfer reference should use the applicant’s name and application type, such as XXX-authentication.

You must complete the payment before posting the application. After making the payment, you must email the payment details to consular.gbr@mofa.gov.tw. The payment guidance states that missing payment information may make the application incomplete.

The bank transfer information is for the London Office only. It is not suitable for the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, Edinburgh Office.

5. Collection and Return Delivery

TRO London handles collection by post only.

The applicant must provide an A4-sized self-addressed return envelope.

For return to a UK address, TRO requires Royal Mail Special Delivery only. You should provide a paid or stamped return envelope.

For return to an international address, TRO uses DHL only. The applicant must pay the fee so that TRO can arrange DHL delivery on the applicant’s behalf.

The application form also lists delivery options including Royal Mail Special Delivery, self-addressed pre-paid return envelope for UK addresses, and DHL for international delivery.

How Ginkgo Advisory Can Help

Ginkgo Advisory assists clients who need to use UK documents in Taiwan.

We can help with the UK-side process before and after TRO London submission, including:

• checking whether your document needs solicitor or notary certification before apostille
• arranging our 2 working days UK FCDO apostille service
• preparing the document for TRO London legalisation
• checking whether you need the original document, photocopies and passport copies
• assisting with the TRO authentication application form
• assisting with the TRO authorisation letter where an agent submits for you
• arranging TRO London postal submission
• helping coordinate return courier delivery to Taiwan or another overseas address

This helps keep the process clear from the beginning, especially if you are already in Taiwan, Hong Kong or another overseas location and need UK-side handling.