TEFL Certificate Legalisation

Written by Jess Jeffrey Published 22 November 2024 ~4 min read

If you need to legalise your Premier TEFL certificate to apply for a teaching visa abroad, we recommend the following steps. *Please note that these steps only apply to certificates from Premier TEFL. If you received your TEFL certificate from another provider, we recommend contacting them directly for the correct steps. STEP 1 - PAY LEGALISATION FEE 1 . Follow this link and select the country you are travelling to: https://www.vitalconsular.com/premier-tefl-legalisation.html 2 . The fee covers the full legalisation of your TEFL Certificate as a UK document. You must pay the fee first and receive an order number from Vital Consular. 3 . Please note that we are an Irish-registered business, but our certificates are UK-accredited. This can commonly cause misunderstandings for apostille services. If Vital Consular has requested a preview, contact info@premiertefl.com for a design of your certificate that is suitable for legalisation. STEP 2 - ORDER HARDCOPY CERT 1 . Follow this link: https://premiertefl.com/ordering-cert/ 2 . Scroll down to ‘Hard Copy Certificate by Registered Post’. 3 . Order only 1 x quantity of your 120-hour TEFL Cert 4 . Once we receive your order, we will print and deliver your hard copy to Vital Consular directly. 5 . Vital Consular will return it to your home address once it is fully legalised. STEP 3 - EMAIL ORDER DETAILS Email Lisa at info@premiertefl.com immediately and complete the following template: Vital Consular Order Number: First Name(s) as Shown on Passport: Middle Name(s) as Shown on Passport: Surname(s) as Shown on Passport: Country You Are Going To: Once the steps above are completed, Thomas can be contacted for any updates at thomas.finn@vitalconsular.com. Please note:

Premier TEFL cannot be held responsible if this step is not taken and the certificate is sent to your home address. At this stage, you will need to order it again.

Posting documents and waiting for administrative bodies to sign them takes time. Give yourself at least 3-6 weeks to prepare, post, and wait for the return of your newly legalised documents.

LEGALISATION FAQS

1. What does it mean to legalise a TEFL certificate?

Legalising a TEFL certificate involves verifying its authenticity to ensure it meets the requirements of the country where you plan to work. This process usually includes notarisation, attestation, and obtaining an apostille to confirm the document’s validity.

2. Why do I need to legalise my TEFL certificate?

Many countries require legalised TEFL certificates for work visas to ensure teachers meet professional standards. Legalisation proves your certificate is genuine and issued by a credible institution.

3. What steps are involved in the legalisation process?

The process may vary by country but typically involves:

Notarisation: Certification by a notary public.
Attestation: Validation by your country’s Department of Education or equivalent authority.
Apostille: An international verification for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Embassy Authentication: Additional embassy verification for countries not in the Apostille Convention.

4. Who handles the legalisation process?

You can manage the process yourself or use a professional legalisation service, especially for embassy requirements. We recommend Vital Consular for our certificates.

5. How long does it take to legalise a TEFL certificate?

It can take between 3 and 6 weeks, depending on the requirements of the destination country and processing times at government offices or embassies.

6. Are there costs involved in legalising a TEFL certificate?

Yes, costs include fees for notarisation, apostille, attestation, and embassy authentication. If you use a professional service, additional charges may apply

7. Do I need to legalise other documents as well?

Yes, in addition to your TEFL certificate, you may need to legalise your degree, academic transcripts, criminal record check, and other documents required for your visa. We recommend requesting a package deal with Vital Consular.

8. Is the legalisation process the same for every country?

No, each country has its own requirements. Some accept an apostille, while others require additional embassy authentication. Research the specific requirements of the country where you plan to teach.

9. Can I start teaching abroad without legalising my TEFL certificate?

Some schools or countries may not require a legalised certificate initially, but this could limit your visa options or job opportunities. Legalisation is usually mandatory for securing a proper work visa.

10. What should I do if I lose my legalised TEFL certificate?

You’ll need to request a replacement from your TEFL provider and go through the legalisation process again. Keep both digital and physical copies as backups.

11. Is it possible to get my TEFL certificate legalised while living abroad?

Yes, you can usually handle the process through online services or by contacting the relevant authorities in your home country. Some embassies and consulates also offer legalisation services.

12. Can I legalise a digital copy of my TEFL certificate?

Yes, in many cases, you can legalise a digital copy. However, you will first need to print a certified true copy from the issuing organisation, as most authorities do not directly legalise digital files. Once printed and certified, the copy can undergo the legalisation process as a physical document.

Written by

Jess Jeffrey

TEFL & Travel Specialist

Jessica has been in the TEFL industry for over 7 years. A Business graduate with both TEFL and CELTA certifications. She also has firsthand experience teaching abroad, having taught English in Italy and Thailand, which means she has the skills and understanding to help our students find top-quality jobs by working with our overseas partners.