🇭🇰📄 Document apostille — Hong Kong, United Kingdom and other jurisdictions

Lawyer, Family Office

Concept

An apostille is a special endorsement that certifies the authenticity of a document for recognition in countries that have signed theHague Convention of 1961. Without an apostille, a Hong Kong Certificate of Incorporation or a UK Companies House extract will not be recognized in Russia, the EU, UAE, Singapore and most other jurisdictions — a bank or registrar will simply reject the document.

For international entrepreneurs, an apostille is required in three typical situations: opening a bank account in a new jurisdiction for a foreign company, registering a subsidiary abroad, recognizing corporate authority (powers of attorney, director's resolutions) with foreign registries.

What documents are apostilled

In Hong Kong, the most common documents for apostille:

• Certificate of Incorporation— company registration certificate
• Business Registration Certificate— bizregist for current period
• Annual Return (NAR1)— updated information on structure
• Articles of Association— company articles
• Director's Resolution— director's resolution on specific matter
• Power of Attorney— power of attorney from company to representative
• Certificate of Good Standing— certificate of active status

A similar set exists in the United Kingdom, Singapore and other jurisdictions.

Processing stages

1. Obtaining original document— typically from registrar (Companies Registry in Hong Kong, Companies House in UK). 2–5 business days.
2. Notarization(if required by document type) — 1–3 days.
3. Submission to apostille authority:

• In Hong Kong — High Court Registry. 3–5 days standard procedure.
• In the United Kingdom — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Standard 2–3 weeks; premium service — 1–2 days.
• In the US — State Department + State Notary office (depends on state).

1. Courier delivery— to client or designated location. 3–10 days DHL Express.

Total timeframe —2–5 weeksdepending on jurisdiction and urgency.

Cost

Cost depends on jurisdiction, document type and urgency:

When apostille is not required

• Document is intended for use within the same jurisdiction where it was issued
• Final recipient — bank or registry in Hong Kong, United Kingdom, or other country without requirement
• Document already legalized through consular route (for countries that have not signed the Hague Convention)
• Electronic document with QR code from official e-registry, if final recipient accepts digital verification

What we do

Turnkey:

• Order original from registrar
• Notarization when required
• Submission to apostille authority
• Status and timeline monitoring
• Courier delivery to client's address anywhere in the world

Related services

• 🇭🇰 Hong Kong company— incorporation and servicing
• 🇸🇬 Singapore company— incorporation and servicing
• 📜 Corporate documents— Trust Deed, Partnership Agreement, SPA