Before you get an apostille, you might need something else first: solicitor certification. This is where things can get confusing, so let's break it down clearly.

A solicitor certification is a formal statement from a qualified solicitor (a lawyer in the UK) confirming that they've verified your document. The solicitor checks that the document is genuine, hasn't been altered, and matches what they've seen in person.

Think of it as a lawyer putting their professional reputation behind your document. They're saying: "I've looked at this, I've checked the original, and I can confirm it's legitimate."

Not all apostille requests require a solicitor certification first. It depends on:

• The type of document  - some documents like birth certificates or marriage certificates from official UK registries don't usually need solicitor certification. They already have government authentication built in.
• What the receiving country requires - some countries have strict requirements and demand additional certification beyond the apostille.
• Whether it's a copy or original - originals from government bodies often don't need certification, but copies or documents created by individuals might.

Your best move is to check with the country or organisation that will receive the document. They'll tell you exactly what they need.

When a solicitor certifies your document, they verify:

• They've seen the original document in person
• The photocopy (if that's what you're getting certified) is a true and accurate reproduction
• Nothing has been forged or tampered with
• The document is what it claims to be

The solicitor then signs and stamps a certification statement on the document or its copy. This certification is what some countries want to see before they'll accept the document.