If you plan to use a UK university degree certificate in Taiwan, you usually need more than a UK Apostille.
In practice, many Taiwanese employers, universities, and government bodies require your UK degree certificate to be authenticated by the Taipei Representative Office (TRO). If you prepare the document incorrectly, the TRO may reject it, which causes delays and repeat submissions.
This guide explains the process clearly and step by step, using plain language and practical guidance.
When Do You Need TRO Authentication?
You need TRO authentication when:
- You will use a UK degree certificate or transcript in Taiwan, and
- The Taiwan authority asks for TRO authentication.
Taiwan is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Because of this, a UK Apostille alone is often not accepted for academic documents.
As a result, many applications require an extra TRO authentication step after UK preparation.
Which TRO Office Should You Apply To?
The TRO has strict jurisdiction rules. Choosing the wrong office leads to automatic rejection.
Documents Accepted by the London TRO
The London TRO authenticates documents issued from:
- Southern Britain (south of Durham and Cumbria, including Guernsey and Jersey)
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Northern Ireland
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Ghana (excluding Marriage Certificates and Single Status Letters)
Documents Not Accepted by the London TRO
If your document was issued in:
- Durham
- Cumbria
- Scotland
- Isle of Man
You must apply through the Edinburgh Office of the Taipei Representative Office instead.
Therefore, confirming the place of issue is an essential first step.
Before You Apply: Choose the Correct Preparation Method
Before submitting anything to the TRO, you must prepare your degree certificate using one of two methods accepted by Taiwan authorities.
However, these two methods do not work equally well in practice.
Method 1: Solicitor Certification + FCDO Apostille
(Most reliable and usually recommended)
This method offers the clearest structure and the lowest risk of rejection.
Step 1: UK Solicitor Certification
First, a UK-based solicitor certifies your degree certificate or transcript.
Crucially, the solicitor must:
- Verify authenticity directly with the issuing university, and
- Use correct certification wording, such as:
- “I certify that this document is genuine/authentic.”
- “I certify this is a true copy of the authentic/genuine document.”
What matters most is verification. If the solicitor does not check with the university, Taiwan authorities may reject the document.
Step 2: FCDO Apostille
Next, the certified document goes to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for apostille.
Important points to note:
- The FCDO accepts paper documents only
- The FCDO does not apostille PDF certificates issued by universities
- Once certified, the document can be apostilled without issue
After this step, the document becomes eligible for TRO authentication.
Step 3: TRO Authentication
Finally, you submit the apostilled document to the TRO for authentication for use in Taiwan.
Because this method creates a clear verification trail, it is the route most commonly accepted by Taiwan authorities.
Method 2: Direct University Confirmation to the TRO
(Accepted but often slow and unpredictable)
Taiwan authorities allow a second method, but it often causes delays.
Under this route:
- You provide the original degree certificate or transcript, and
- The issuing university sends directly to the TRO one of the following:
- An academic confirmation letter, or
- A certified copy of the original degree certificate or transcript
The university must send the confirmation directly. If the applicant forwards the document, the TRO will not accept it.
In practice, universities often take time to respond. Because of this, this method is usually slower and less predictable. For that reason, it is generally not recommended unless specifically requested by the Taiwan authority.
How to Submit Your TRO Application
There are two practical ways to proceed.
Applying by Yourself
Individual applications require careful preparation and postal submission.
If any document is missing or incorrect, the TRO may only notify you after receipt, which leads to delays.
Applying via a Professional Agent
A professional agent helps you:
- Prepare documents in the correct format
- Use correct solicitor certification wording
- Confirm the correct TRO office
- Avoid common rejection issues
When an agent applies on your behalf, the applicant’s signature must be certified as genuine.
This approach reduces errors and shortens overall processing time.
Required Documents (Clear Summary)
You will usually need:
- Completed application form
- Signature must match your passport
- Clear copy of the applicant’s passport
- Degree certificate and/or transcript
- Prepared using Method 1 or Method 2
- Proof of payment
- If using an agent:
- Authorisation letter signed by the applicant
- Applicant’s signature certified as genuine
- Agent identification documents
The TRO may request additional documents depending on individual circumstances.
TRO Authentication Fees and Processing Time
The following are official TRO fees, not service fees.
Processing starts only when:
- The TRO receives payment or proof of payment
- All required documents are complete
- The school has confirmed authenticity
Official TRO Fees
| Service | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | £12 per document | Completion on the 9th working day |
| Express | £18 per document | Completion on the 5th working day |
Each document type is charged separately by the TRO.
Common Reasons Applications Are Rejected
Applications most often fail because of the following issues:
- Using PDF certificates without solicitor certification
- Using incorrect certification wording
- Certification completed without university verification
- Using a solicitor not registered with the FCDO
- Applying to the wrong TRO office
- Submitting incorrect or incomplete documents
Avoiding these errors significantly improves approval speed.
How Ginkgo Advisory Can Help
Authenticating a UK degree certificate for Taiwan involves several parties and strict sequencing. Small mistakes often lead to rejection.
Ginkgo Advisory provides structured support by:
- Coordinating university authenticity verification
- Arranging correct UK solicitor certification
- Handling FCDO apostille applications
- Managing TRO authentication submissions
- Ensuring the correct TRO office is used
Our focus is simple: prepare everything correctly the first time.
If you need your UK degree certificate authenticated for use in Taiwan and want to avoid delays, professional coordination can make the process smoother and more predictable.
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