If a Vietnamese employer, university or professional body asks you to authenticate a University of Surrey degree, Ginkgo Advisory can review the document and arrange the agreed UK preparation. We offer solicitor certification, paper FCDO apostille and UK FCDO e-Apostille services for suitable academic records.
An apostille now replaces Vietnamese Embassy legalisation for qualifying UK documents. Choose the document, certification and paper or electronic format for your particular submission, including any Vietnamese translation.
Surrey degree apostille for Vietnam without embassy legalisation
The Apostille Convention took effect for Vietnam on 11 September 2026, as recorded by the HCCH. The Vietnamese Embassy in London notice confirms that UK public documents covered by the Convention no longer require its consular legalisation after an apostille.
For a qualification from University of Surrey prepared through this route, the document chain centres on appropriate UK certification and the FCDO apostille. An additional Vietnamese Embassy stamp is no longer part of that chain. Documents outside the Convention have different rules.
University of Surrey degree certificates and academic records
Match your Surrey qualification to the right record
Surrey\’s alumni document guidance distinguishes between HEAR records, older transcripts and research degrees. Its HEAR provision covers undergraduate graduates from 2013 and postgraduate graduates from 2014 who registered from 2012 onwards. For awards outside the published cohorts, check the alternative route rather than assuming a Gradintel account will contain a transcript. For records before 2008, the University advises contacting examinations@surrey.ac.uk before paying because an archive search may be needed.
Do not order a taught-course transcript for a PhD
Surrey states that doctoral research degrees do not have transcripts and directs PhD graduates to the Doctoral College. If a Vietnamese checklist simply says “degree and transcript”, explain the research nature of the award and ask which university confirmation the recipient will accept. This prevents a request for a document that Surrey does not issue for that qualification. Similarly, a Surrey-certified photocopy is university certification; Surrey expressly says this is not certification by a solicitor or another person of legal standing.
Share the HEAR and plan the certificate separately
The MySurrey award-document page explains how to access the HEAR through Gradintel and use the sharing function for third parties. It also directs students who need their certificate before the ceremony to contact the awards office about posting it. For a Vietnam-bound file, check whether the reviewer needs the HEAR\’s detailed academic information as well as the award certificate. Arrange the university evidence first, then confirm any required certification and legalisation format with the Vietnamese recipient and your UK document adviser.
Our solicitor certification service for Surrey degrees
Our solicitor certification service starts with a review of the certificate and the evidence available. We identify the appropriate form of certification and any source checks needed before preparing the document for legalisation.
A certified copy confirms the relationship between the copy and the document examined. Academic authenticity verification checks the award through an appropriate university record or verification route. Tell us if your recipient requires both, so the proposed work and certification statement address that instruction.
UK qualification documents can be legalised following suitable solicitor or notarial certification under the FCDO legalisation guidance. We check whether the recipient specifies a particular certifier or wording. The apostille authenticates the relevant signature, seal or stamp; it does not verify the degree\’s academic content or establish work-permit eligibility.
Paper FCDO apostille or UK FCDO e-Apostille for Vietnam
These are two formats of FCDO legalisation. The document you need to present and the recipient\’s submission arrangements help determine the suitable route.
| Service | Preparation and delivery | What to establish |
|---|---|---|
| UK FCDO paper apostille | Suitable paper certification, followed by a physical apostille attached to the document. | Original or certified copy, and any delivery requirements. |
| UK FCDO e-Apostille | A PDF electronically signed by a UK solicitor or notary, followed by electronic legalisation. | The accepted underlying document and digital submission method. |
Our UK apostille service handles paper submission and return. Our UK e-Apostille service covers suitability review, solicitor electronic certification and FCDO submission for eligible documents.
How solicitor electronic certification and e-Apostille work
The UK electronic process uses an Advanced Electronic Signature or Qualified Electronic Signature. A scan showing a handwritten signature is not the same as that digital signing process. The FCDO issues a digitally signed PDF package that includes the apostille and the document to which it relates. Its electronic legalisation announcement explains the signing and security arrangements.
The completed electronic document can be shared digitally, as described in the FCDO application guidance. Keep the issued file intact for the recipient to examine its signatures and attachments. A printed copy does not preserve those electronic features.
Can an FCDO e-Apostille be used in Vietnam?
The HCCH guidance on e-Apostilles explains that a valid electronic apostille has the same status as a paper apostille and cannot be refused solely because it is electronic where the Convention applies.
The format of the underlying academic document remains a separate issue. The HCCH e-APP background note distinguishes recognition of an electronic apostille from acceptance of an underlying electronic document. Ask the Vietnamese recipient how it requires the degree and any translation to be presented before choosing the service.
Vietnam work permits, transcripts and Vietnamese translations
A request for a degree in a Vietnam employment application does not identify every document that must be legalised. Obtain the employer\’s or local adviser\’s checklist and establish whether it calls for the certificate, transcript, award confirmation or another record. Ask whether both academic documents require authentication and whether separate apostilles or a certified set are acceptable.
The Embassy notice calls for a Vietnamese translation of a non-Vietnamese document, notarised or certified in accordance with Vietnamese law. Confirm how the academic record and apostille should be translated and presented. Translation and qualification recognition remain separate from the removal of embassy legalisation.
Frequently asked questions
Does my Surrey degree still need Vietnamese Embassy legalisation?
No additional embassy legalisation is required for a qualifying UK document bearing a valid apostille under the Convention.
Does the transcript always need a separate apostille?
The requested document set determines the work. Ask whether the transcript must be authenticated and whether a combined presentation is accepted before booking.
Can I send a digital Surrey certificate for review?
Yes. Send the official record and available verification details for assessment. We will confirm the evidence and certification needed for your proposed service.
Can I arrange the service while I am in Vietnam?
You can start the enquiry remotely. Tell us where the documents are held and whether you need electronic delivery or a completed paper document. We will confirm any original-document requirement after review.
How much does Surrey degree certification and apostille cost?
Request an itemised quotation covering the agreed verification, solicitor certification, FCDO submission and any delivery. Include your deadline so the available service and expected timing can be assessed.
Arrange Surrey degree certification and apostille with Ginkgo Advisory
Our certification and apostille service is overseen by KH Lam, LLB, LLM, a London-based solicitor of England and Wales regulated by the SRA and registered with the FCDO for apostille purposes. Ginkgo Advisory prepares and submits the documents; the FCDO issues the apostille.
To request our University of Surrey degree certificate service for Vietnam, send:
- A clear copy of the degree certificate and any requested transcript, including all pages.
- The course, award year and available Surrey verification or sharing details.
- The Vietnamese recipient\’s checklist, intended use and any specified certification or translation wording.
- Your deadline, location and preferred paper or electronic delivery arrangements.
We will review the document set and provide a quotation for solicitor certification, UK FCDO apostille or UK FCDO e-Apostille, according to the preparation agreed for your submission.
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