Guide only — this matter needs a solicitor. Under Irish law this work must be carried out by a solicitor, so it is not sold on this site. The information below explains what is involved so you can brief a solicitor with confidence.
OnlineLegalServices.ie is operated by Plus Promotions Limited, which is not a solicitor’s practice and does not give legal advice. To instruct a regulated practice, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.
Need a Statutory Declaration Instead of an Affidavit?
A solicitor would draft either. An affidavit must then be sworn in person before an independent Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitor (we explain exactly how); a statutory declaration must likewise be made in person before a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths. A statutory declaration is a formal written statement of fact made under Irish law — commonly required for identity, name changes, tenancy confirmations, and government agency submissions. An affidavit is a sworn statement used in court proceedings. Both are drafted by a solicitor, delivered with full instructions: affidavits are sworn in person before an independent Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitor, and statutory declarations are made in person before a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths. Solicitors set their own fees for this work and must give you a written costs estimate before starting.
What You Receive
A professionally drafted sworn Affidavit in Irish High Court format.
professionally drafted Word (.docx) document, customised to your circumstances and ready to sign.
Delivered by email once your completed intake is received
Work of this kind is carried out by a solicitor regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. We are not a solicitor’s practice and do not provide it — to instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.
Intake questionnaire emailed within 5 minutes. A solicitor would be assigned.
One round of revisions at no extra charge.
Secure Stripe checkout · 🇮🇪 One one price, no hourly billing · Not sure? Read our consultation guide first
Legal Affidavit Drafting — Remote Service
An affidavit is a written statement of facts that you swear or affirm to be true before a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths. Affidavits are commonly required for court proceedings, housing applications, family law matters, property declarations, immigration applications, and official processes in Ireland and abroad. A qualified Irish solicitor can draft your affidavit to the correct legal standard and give you clear instructions for swearing it before an independent Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitor near you. Because the firm drafts the document for you, the oath must be taken before a solicitor who is not acting for you.
What’s Included
- ✔ Drafting of your affidavit by a qualified, Law Society solicitor of a solicitor’s practice.
- ✔ One revision if required
- ✔ clear swearing instructions call (5–10 minutes)
- ✔ Digital delivery of the signed, sworn affidavit
Common Uses for Affidavits in Ireland
- Housing and social welfare applications
- Family law matters (custody, separation, guardianship)
- Property transactions and declarations
- Probate and succession matters
- Immigration and visa applications
- Confirming facts for use in court proceedings
- Declarations for use in foreign jurisdictions
How It Works
- Tell us what you need — Contact us with the details of your affidavit requirement
- A solicitor would draft your affidavit — a solicitor would prepare the document and send it to you for approval
- Swearing — You swear or declare the document in person before an independent Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitor (typically €10–€15, widely available in every county); we tell you exactly what to bring and what to say
- Digital delivery — You receive the final draft digitally, ready to sign and swear
If you provide all required information and documents promptly, a solicitor would prepare your affidavit efficiently.
What We Need From You
- Full legal name, address, and date of birth
- Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement within 3 months)
- Details of the statements to be included in the affidavit
- Confirmation of the purpose of the affidavit
Affidavit vs Statutory Declaration vs Notary Public — Which Do You Need in Ireland?
One of the most common questions Irish customers ask is whether they need an affidavit, a statutory declaration or a Notary Public. The answer depends on where the document will be used and what it is for.
In Ireland, a Solicitor can act as a Commissioner for Oaths to swear affidavits and witness statutory declarations for use within the Irish legal system. A Notary Public is a separate professional role — required when a document needs to be authenticated for use outside Ireland (foreign property, foreign court, apostille requirements). Solicitors in Ireland are not automatically Notaries Public; the two roles are regulated separately.
| Affidavit | Statutory Declaration | Notary Public | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A sworn statement made under oath | A solemn declaration of truth, made without oath | Notarial certification by a registered Notary Public |
| When you need it | Court / judicial proceedings in Ireland | Non-judicial Irish use (passport applications, name discrepancy, lost documents, statutory requirements) | Documents intended for use outside Ireland (foreign property, foreign courts, apostille) |
| Who can witness/sign | Solicitor as Commissioner for Oaths | Solicitor as Commissioner for Oaths | Registered Notary Public (separate role from Solicitor) |
| OLS service | ✓ not currently available — this page | ✓ not currently available — this page | ✓ not currently available — see Notary Public Service |
If your document needs to be used inside Ireland — Irish courts, passport application, name change, lost-document affidavit, probate, or company matters — an Affidavit or Statutory Declaration drafted by an Irish-qualified solicitor (this service) is what you need.
If your document is intended for use abroad — foreign property purchase, foreign court matter, anything requiring an apostille — you need our Notary Public Service Ireland (not currently available). Notarisation is delivered by an independent registered Irish Notary Public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Notary Public or an Affidavit?
It depends on where the document will be used. If your document is for use inside Ireland — Irish courts, passport applications, probate, name changes, lost-document statements — you need an Affidavit or Statutory Declaration sworn before an independent solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths (drafted through this service). If your document is for use outside Ireland — foreign property, foreign court matters, anything requiring an apostille — you need our Notary Public Service Ireland (not currently available), delivered by an independent registered Irish Notary Public.
Can a Solicitor act as a Notary Public in Ireland?
No. In Ireland, the role of Solicitor and Notary Public are regulated separately. A solicitor can act as a Commissioner for Oaths to witness affidavits and statutory declarations for use within Ireland. A Notary Public is a separate role with separate regulation. OLS offers both services: solicitor-witnessed affidavits/statutory declarations on this page, and a separate Notary Public Service for documents needing notarisation for use abroad.
What is the difference between an Affidavit and a Statutory Declaration?
Both are written statements of fact, sworn or declared as true before a solicitor as Commissioner for Oaths. The key difference is where they are used. An Affidavit is sworn under oath, typically for court use. A Statutory Declaration is a solemn declaration without oath, used for non-judicial purposes — passport applications, name discrepancies, lost documents, single-status, age confirmations, company matters. Both are drafted, sworn or declared, and witnessed under this service for the same not currently available.
Do I need to attend in person to swear an affidavit or statutory declaration?
The drafting is fully remote. A solicitor would draft your document from your information and send it to you ready to sign. An affidavit must then be sworn in person before an independent Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitor — a solicitor cannot take the oath on an affidavit their own firm has drafted for you in proceedings — and we give you clear instructions for that step. A statutory declaration (non-court) must also be made in person before a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths. Coverage is nationwide across the Republic of Ireland (all 26 counties).
What is an affidavit used for in Ireland?
An affidavit is a sworn written statement used in court proceedings, housing applications, family law matters, property transactions, immigration applications, probate, and other official processes where a formal declaration of facts is required.
How much does an affidavit cost in Ireland?
This page is a free guide — nothing on it is for sale. Solicitors set their own fees for this work and must give you a written costs estimate (a section 150 letter) before starting. Get quotes through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.
Can I swear an affidavit remotely in Ireland?
No. An affidavit must be sworn in person before an independent Commissioner for Oaths or practising solicitor; commissioners are available in every county and the fee is typically €10–€15, and we give you clear instructions on what to bring and what to say. Statutory declarations must likewise be made in the physical presence of a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths.
How long does it take to get an affidavit?
If you provide all required information and documents promptly, a solicitor would complete your affidavit as soon as possible.
Who can witness an affidavit in Ireland?
Need a Statutory Declaration Instead?
Affidavit vs Statutory Declaration vs Notary Public — quick reference
| Affidavit | Statutory Declaration | Notary Public | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Court evidence (family law, probate, judicial review) | Out-of-court (banks, Revenue, name change, lost docs) | Documents for use overseas (often with apostille) |
| Sworn / sealed before | Solicitor / Commissioner for Oaths | Solicitor / Commissioner for Oaths / Peace Commissioner | Notary Public |
| with us | ✅ not currently available (this product) | ✅ not currently available (this product) | ✅ not currently available — see notary product |
Need help deciding which one fits your situation? Read our full Notary vs Affidavit Ireland guide with a decision tree and practical scenarios.
You may also need:
- Notary Public Service Ireland — not currently available for documents used overseas, with apostille handling.
- Power of Attorney (general / limited) — drafted and witnessed for use in Ireland or abroad.
- Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) — under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015.
- Solicitor letters & demand letters — pre-court correspondence and small-claims letter packs.
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.
