Ireland
Apostille in Ireland
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in Ireland, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Ratified (signed and confirmed), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Department of Foreign Affairs, Authentications Unit (Dublin and Cork), documents created in Ireland, or with an Irish connection, that are signed by an Irish public officer or body2 |
| Fee | €40 (per apostille or authentication stamp, postage included)2checked 18 October 2026 €10 (per document that relates directly to the export of goods)3checked 18 October 2026 |
| Processing time | The target turnaround time at the public office is thirty minutes2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Online register to check apostilles | Available2 |
| Documents covered | 3 kinds of document listed by the office |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in Ireland
Prepare the document you want apostilled; it must be created in Ireland or show an Irish connection.4
Bring the document, a cover letter and the fee to the Authentications Unit at Knockmaun House, 42-47 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, or send it by post marked for the Authentications Section.2
Pay the 40 euro fee per stamp with a bank draft or an Irish postal order payable to the Department of Foreign Affairs.2
If you live abroad, apply to the Department directly by post in the same way, because embassies and consulates cannot issue an apostille.3
Documents
Common documents
As listed by the office:
- Certificates of origin signed by the Chambers of Commerce in Ireland5
- Medical reports signed by a doctor registered with the Medical Council of Ireland6
- Photocopies of certain document types that a practising Irish solicitor or notary public has certified3
More about these documents: certified copy of a document.
Contacts
Who to contact in Ireland
- Apostille officeDepartment of Foreign Affairs, Authentications Unit (Dublin and Cork)2Documents created in Ireland, or with an Irish connection, that are signed by an Irish public officer or body
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in Ireland
A document issued in Ireland
The apostille comes from Ireland, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Ireland.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Ireland
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Ireland. Ireland accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
Only the Authentications Unit in Dublin or Cork can issue an apostille; embassies and consulates cannot.2
Note: Rule
The Department says an apostille does not mean it has checked that the contents of the document are correct.2
Note: Rule
A photocopy can be apostilled only for certain document types and only after a practising Irish solicitor or notary public has certified it.7
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in Ireland
Does Ireland accept apostilles?
Yes. Ireland has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 9 March 1999, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Ireland?
Department of Foreign Affairs, Authentications Unit (Dublin and Cork) (documents created in Ireland, or with an Irish connection, that are signed by an Irish public officer or body).
How much does an apostille cost in Ireland?
€40 (per apostille or authentication stamp, postage included). €10 (per document that relates directly to the export of goods). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in Ireland?
The office says: The target turnaround time at the public office is thirty minutes.
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Authenticating documents
- Authenticating documents (archived page)
- Authentication of documents
- Authentication of documents
- Authentication of documents
- Authenticating documents
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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