Degree Certificate Notarisation and Apostille in Manchester
KG Notary Public provides degree certificate notarisation, university verification and paper Apostille services in Manchester for educational documents required for use overseas.
We assist individuals who need UK degree certificates, academic transcripts and other educational or professional qualifications notarised for international employment, further study, professional registration, immigration or another overseas purpose.
Every enquiry is reviewed individually because the correct procedure depends on the issuing university, the documents involved, the destination country and the requirements of the receiving organisation.
Please send us clear scans of your documents before arranging an appointment. We will review them and provide a tailored quotation, proposed verification method and estimated timescale.
Educational Documents We Can Assist With
Educational documents that may require notarisation or an Apostille include:
university degree certificates;
undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications;
academic transcripts;
professional qualifications;
letters confirming an academic award;
course-completion certificates;
replacement degree certificates;
electronically issued academic documents; and
other UK educational certificates intended for use overseas.
If your document is not listed, please send us a copy for review.
Why Must a Degree Certificate Be Verified?
Before notarising a degree certificate, transcript or other educational document, the notary must establish that it was genuinely issued by the named university or institution.
Inspecting the document alone does not confirm its authenticity. Independent verification protects the client, the notary and the overseas organisation relying on the notarised document.
The appropriate verification method depends on the issuing university. It may involve:
HEDD degree verification;
direct confirmation from the university;
an institutional online verification service;
confirmation through a university records or awards department; or
another verification procedure specified by the institution.
We will explain the available options after reviewing your documents.
HEDD Degree Verification
HEDD, the Higher Education Degree Datacheck service, provides a structured method of verifying qualifications awarded by many UK universities.
Where available, HEDD is generally our preferred verification route because it provides reliable confirmation directly through an established degree-verification system.
Not every university participates in HEDD, and response times vary between institutions. Some universities also require their own consent form or supporting information before responding.
Where HEDD is available, we will provide the necessary instructions, consent form and a tailored quotation.
Direct University Verification
Where HEDD is unavailable or unsuitable, we may be able to contact the university directly or follow the institution’s own verification process.
Some universities respond to email requests, while others require:
an online verification form;
a formal consent declaration;
payment through the university’s online shop;
a request submitted through a student or graduate portal; or
contact with a particular records, awards or verification department.
University response times cannot be guaranteed. Clients with a deadline should contact us as early as possible.
Original Paper and Electronic Degree Certificates
If the university issued a paper certificate, the original must normally be inspected before the original document or a copy can be notarised.
The original may be brought to our Manchester office by the document holder or, where appropriate, by a representative such as a family member or friend.
Different arrangements apply to documents issued exclusively in electronic form. Please send the original electronic document for review so that we can confirm the appropriate verification and notarisation procedure.
Can Original Certificates Be Posted?
Original educational documents may be sent to our office by post where agreed in advance. However, posting original qualifications is not our preferred method because replacing a lost certificate can be expensive and time-consuming.
Any original documents are posted at the client’s risk. Additional handling, secure return and courier charges may apply.
Please contact us before posting any documents.
Degree Certificate Apostille Service
After notarisation, a foreign university, employer, professional regulator, immigration authority or government body may also require the document to receive an Apostille.
An Apostille is issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It confirms the authenticity of the notary’s signature and seal so that the notarised document can be recognised in another country participating in the Hague Apostille Convention.
An Apostille does not verify the academic content of the degree certificate. University verification and notarial certification take place before the Apostille is obtained.
We can explain the available paper Apostille options and, if requested, arrange the process through our managed Apostille service.
Is an Apostille Always Required?
Not every notarised degree certificate requires an Apostille.
The requirements depend on:
the destination country;
the overseas university or employer;
the professional or regulatory organisation involved;
the purpose for which the document will be used; and
whether further embassy or consular legalisation is required.
Clients should obtain written instructions from the organisation receiving the document wherever possible.
Can Several Educational Documents Be Combined?
In some cases, a degree certificate and transcript may be bound together under one notarial certificate. This may allow one Apostille to be obtained for the combined notarial act.
However, some overseas authorities require each document to be notarised and apostilled separately.
Before asking us to combine documents, you should confirm that the receiving organisation will accept them in that format. We can prepare the documents accordingly once its requirements are clear.
The Degree Certificate Notarisation Process
1. Send Your Documents
Send clear scans of the degree certificate, transcript or other educational documents requiring notarisation.
Please also confirm:
the issuing university;
the destination country;
the purpose for which the documents will be used;
the receiving organisation;
any written instructions you have received;
your deadline; and
whether an Apostille or further legalisation is required.
2. Document Review
We will review the documents and identify the appropriate university-verification route.
3. University Verification
The qualification must be independently verified with the issuing institution before notarisation can be completed.
4. Original Document Inspection
Where the university issued a paper original, the original certificate must normally be inspected at our Manchester office.
5. Notarisation
Once the document has been verified and the original inspected, the notarial certificate can be prepared and completed.
6. Apostille and Legalisation
If required, the notarised document can be submitted for a paper Apostille and any additional embassy or consular legalisation required by the destination country.
Degree Certificate Notarisation Fees
The cost depends on:
the number and type of educational documents;
whether the documents were issued by one or several universities;
the university’s verification procedure;
whether originals must be handled or returned;
whether an Apostille is required;
the required timescale; and
the chosen delivery or collection arrangements.
All fees will be explained before you proceed. Please send us the relevant documents and information to receive a tailored quotation.
Degree Certificates Issued Outside the UK
This service primarily concerns degree certificates and educational documents issued by UK universities and institutions.
We do not generally notarise foreign-issued educational documents where reliable independent verification is unavailable. Such documents may need to be notarised by a local notary in the country where the university or institution is based.
Please send a scan before booking so that we can confirm whether we are able to assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you notarise a copy of my degree certificate?
A notarised copy may be prepared after the original certificate has been inspected and the document has been independently verified with the issuing university.
Can you notarise my certificate without contacting the university?
No. The document must be independently verified before it can be notarised.
Do I need to attend personally?
Not necessarily. For some degree-certificate matters, a representative may bring the original document to our Manchester office. We will confirm the appropriate procedure after reviewing your enquiry.
Do you provide remote notarisation?
No. KG Notary Public does not offer remote or electronic notarisation. Original paper documents must normally be inspected in person.
A different verification procedure may be available for documents that were issued exclusively in electronic form.
How long does university verification take?
The timescale depends entirely on the university and its verification procedure. Some institutions respond relatively quickly, while others may take several weeks.
You should contact us as early as possible if you are working to a deadline.
Can you arrange the Apostille?
Yes. We can arrange a managed paper Apostille service after the notarisation has been completed. Alternatively, you may apply directly to the FCDO.
Can you guarantee acceptance overseas?
The receiving foreign organisation determines its own requirements. Clients should obtain written instructions confirming whether notarisation, an Apostille, translation or further legalisation is required.
We will follow those instructions where legally and professionally possible.
To receive a tailored quotation, please send:
a clear scan of every educational document;
the name of the issuing university or institution;
the country where the documents will be used;
the purpose of the documents;
any instructions from the receiving organisation;
your deadline; and
confirmation of whether an Apostille or international delivery is required.
We will review your enquiry and confirm the likely process, verification method, fees and timescale before an appointment is arranged.