If you need a document legalised and don’t specifically need a physical, courier-delivered document, E-Apostille is worth understanding first, it’s the fastest and cheapest of the three service tiers, not a niche add-on. Here’s how it actually works and how it compares to Standard and Express.
The three apostille service tiers
Apostille Solutions offers three ways to get a document legalised, each built for a different situation:
- Standard Apostille (£89.99): the most affordable option, ideal when you don’t have an urgent deadline
- Express Apostille (£99.99): faster turnaround for urgent cases, the most popular option when time matters
- E-Apostille (£84.99): a digital apostille delivered instantly by email, with solicitor certification included
Every tier includes document pre-checks, FCDO apostille processing, and secure handling from start to finish. The difference is speed and format, physical document versus digital delivery, not the underlying legal validity of the apostille itself.
When Express is worth the extra cost over Standard
Express costs £10 more than Standard, a small premium for a meaningfully faster turnaround if your deadline is close. It’s the right choice when you know you need the document back quickly but don’t need same-day digital delivery, for example when the receiving institution specifically requires a physical, courier-delivered document rather than a digital file.
When E-Apostille makes more sense instead
E-Apostille is actually the cheapest of the three tiers at £84.99, not a premium option, and it’s delivered by email rather than post. That makes it the faster choice by default whenever the receiving country or institution accepts a digital apostille. Before choosing it over Express, confirm the destination actually accepts electronic legalisation, some countries and institutions still require a physical, stamped document.
What’s included regardless of which tier you choose
Every order, whichever tier, includes the same core service:
- Document verification and eligibility checks before submission
- Direct submission to the FCDO on your behalf
- Dedicated customer support throughout
- Secure handling and tracking at every stage
- Return delivery arranged for you (physical tiers) or instant email delivery (E-Apostille)
Add-on services worth knowing about
A few extras can apply depending on your document and situation:
- Solicitor Certification: £34.99 if your document needs certifying before a Standard or Express apostille. E-Apostille already includes solicitor certification in the £84.99 fee, no extra cost.
- International Delivery: £50 if you need a physical document sent outside the UK. This doesn’t apply to E-Apostille, since it’s delivered by email.
- Scan Service: £5 for a digital copy of your returned physical document. Not needed for E-Apostille, it’s already a digital file.
The real savings go beyond the £84.99 headline price. If your document needs solicitor certification and your receiving authority accepts a digital format, that certification is already built in, no £34.99 add-on required. Compare total cost, not just the base price, and E-Apostille often ends up the cheapest option by a wider margin than it first appears.
How to choose between the three
Ask yourself two questions. First, does the receiving country or institution require a physical document, or will a digital copy do? That decides between E-Apostille and the two physical tiers. Second, how close is your deadline? If it’s genuinely urgent, Express is worth the £10 premium over Standard. If you have more flexibility, Standard covers the same legal outcome for less.
FAQ
No. Express is a faster physical turnaround than Standard, but it isn’t a same-day or hours-based service. If you need the fastest possible option and can accept digital delivery, E-Apostille is typically quicker still, since it’s delivered by email rather than post.
It’s a genuine, officially recognised apostille, just delivered digitally rather than as a physical document. Whether it’s accepted depends on the receiving country or institution, not on its legal validity.
E-Apostille, at £84.99, is actually the cheapest of the three, despite being digital and fast. Standard is £89.99, and Express is £99.99.
Only if your specific document requires certifying before it can be apostilled. Not every document does, our team checks this as part of the standard eligibility review before submission.
How Apostille Solutions can help
Not sure which tier fits your situation? Get in touch for a free document review, or place your order directly if you already know which service you need.
