How much does notarisation cost?

Our standard fee for a standard document with one signatory is €60. We offer discounts for senior citizens, the unwaged and for volume of notarisations. We can certify documents for as little as €30 but most solicitors will be able to perform this service for less. We typically charge €40 for a second signatory on the same document. More complex documents (such as bilingual powers of attorney for use aboad) will cost €200 and certain documents require significant extra work and will be priced accordingly.


We are happy to review your documents in advance to give a specific fixed fee quote so you know exactly what to expect in advance.

What is legalisation?

Legalisation (also 'legalization') is the process of making a document fit for acceptance and use in a foreign jurisdiction. There are three possible procedures to be involved.

The first involves notarisation, authentication of the notary's signature by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and legalisation by the embassy or consulate of the country in which the document is to be used.

The second is applicable to countries which are parties to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents of 1961. It involves notarisation and the combined authentication and legalisation by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with the affixing of a Hague Convention Apostille.

The third is applicable to EU member states which are parties to the Brussels Convention abolishing the legalisation of documents in the Member States of the European Union of 1987. It removes the need for legalisation of notarial acts altogether where documents originate and are used in relevant Member States.

What is an apostille?

The phrase 'apostille' refers to the specific standard form of confirmation affixed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to documents which are to be used in a Hague Convention country. An apostille confirms that the notary who has notarised a document is duly appointed and that the signature and seal of the notary reflect those which are on file with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Under the Hague Convention every country nominates a central authority to manage the apostille process and the Department of Foreign Affairs is the authority nominated by Ireland. Hague Convention apostilles contain a number of specific features and can be verified electronically online. They are effectively the 'gold standard' of international document exchange. 

What is a power of attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document where one person (usually called the "Donor", "Grantor" or "Principal") gives authority or powers to another person (usually called the "Attorney") to conclude contracts or take actions on behalf of the Donor / Grantor / Principal in their absence. Powers of attorney are often used abroad in connection with property sales or purchases or in connection with prosecuting litigation or making filings with Government authorities. 

We have particular experience with Spanish powers of attorney which are needed in connection with applications for NIE (Numero de Indentificacion de Extranjeros) and NIF (Numero de Identificacion Fiscal) numbers.

Do notaries make a document legal?

No, notarisation has no impact on the legality or enforceability of a document. The role of a notary is to verify the identity of signatories to a document and to guarantee to third parties that the signatures on a document are the signatures of the people whose identity the notary has verified.   The signature and seal of a Notary Public verifies to authorities in another country that all the necessary checks and have been carried out to authenticate the document if it is an original or a copy document.

Can foreign degrees or certificates be notarised?

We can notarise foreign degrees, certificates and other educational qualifications but these cannot currently be apostilled or legalised because the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not in a position to verify so-called foreign documents. Accordingly, if you are planning to work or study abroad and are currently living in Ireland you may need to have your educational qualifications apostilled or legalised abroad.

What do I need to get my document notarised?

You'll need to bring your identification documents (see /client-identification) and you may need to bring the documents you wish to sign, which must be signed in the presence of the notary (and not before). 

Do I have to be an Irish citizen to get a document notarised?

No, we can notarise documents for anyone who can provide the requisite evidence of their identity. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will not apostille or authenticate a document which does not - on its face - demonstrate a connection to Ireland. Accordingly, if you are a foreign national you will need to recite the address in Ireland at which you reside. 

Got a question?

Please email us at info@dublin2notary.ie if you have a question which isn't answered here and which might be useful for other users.