Guide only — notarisation is carried out by a Notary Public. Notarial acts can only be carried out by a Notary Public, so this is not sold on this site and we do not have a notary. The information below explains what is involved so you can approach a notary with confidence.
OnlineLegalServices.ie is operated by Plus Promotions Limited, which is not a solicitor’s practice and does not give legal advice. To find a notary, use the directory of the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland.
Notary Public Ireland — for documents used overseas
When an Irish document needs to be relied on outside Ireland — for foreign property purchases, foreign court proceedings, foreign company filings, marriage abroad or embassy submissions — it usually has to be notarised by a Notary Public, and often apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
What is notarisation, and when do I need it?
A Notary Public is a legal officer appointed by the Chief Justice and regulated by the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland. Notarisation is a formal verification step where the notary witnesses the signing of a document, applies an official seal and signature, and makes a register entry — creating a record that overseas authorities can rely on.
You typically need notarisation when an Irish document is going to be used outside Ireland. Common examples include:
- Buying or selling property in another country
- Granting a power of attorney to someone abroad to act on your behalf
- Foreign court proceedings
- Foreign company filings (director resolutions, shareholder consents, corporate registers)
- Marriage abroad (declaration of single status, civil status documents)
- Immigration and visa submissions to foreign embassies
- Adoption or guardianship matters with overseas authorities
If your document is staying in Ireland, you usually do not need notarisation — an affidavit or statutory declaration made in person before a Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitor will be sufficient.
What a notary does
- Verifies your identity and witnesses your signature where required
- Attaches or endorses a notarial certificate in the standard Irish notarial form
- Applies the official notarial seal and signature
- Records the act in the notary’s register so it can be verified by a foreign authority
How it works
- Ask the receiving authority abroad exactly what it requires — notarisation alone, or notarisation plus an apostille.
- Find a Notary Public through the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland and ask for the fee in advance.
- Attend the notary in person with the document, photo ID and proof of address.
- If an apostille is needed, lodge the notarised document with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
What about an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs under the 1961 Hague Convention, confirming that the Irish notary’s signature and seal are authentic. Most countries that are party to the Hague Convention accept Irish notarised documents only once they have been apostilled. For non-Hague countries, additional consular legalisation may be required.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Notary Public cost in Ireland?
This page is a free guide — nothing on it is for sale. Notaries set their own fees, which depend on the document and the number of signatures. The Department of Foreign Affairs charges a separate fee for each apostille. Ask the notary for the fee before your appointment.
When do I need a Notary Public, rather than a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths?
You generally need a Notary Public when your document will be relied on outside Ireland. For matters that stay in Ireland (Irish court evidence, Irish banks, Revenue, registry forms), a practising solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths is sufficient.
What is the difference between an apostille and notarisation?
Notarisation is the act of the notary witnessing and certifying the document. The apostille is a separate certificate issued afterwards by the Department of Foreign Affairs, confirming to the receiving country that the notary’s signature and seal are genuine. Many foreign authorities require both — notarisation first, then apostille.
Can a Notary Public notarise a document I have already had drafted?
Yes — that is the usual position. Bring the final document, unsigned, together with the receiving authority’s instructions.
If you would like to be told when solicitor services are available again on this site, you can join our no-fee waiting list. To instruct a solicitor now, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.