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Papers · Ireland
Updated September 2026

📜 I need an apostille or legalisation on a document — where do I get it?

Direct answer

An apostille certifies a public document (birth certificate, diploma, court decision, notarised signature) for use in another country of the Hague convention; for the few non-Hague countries it is a legalisation via the foreign ministry and the embassy. In Ireland the apostille comes from Department of Foreign Affairs — Authentication/Apostille (01 408 2000) — often a court, a regional authority or the foreign ministry, depending on the document type. A private document (a power of attorney, a contract) first needs a notary — Faculty of Notaries Public / solicitors — probate (notarypublic.ie) — and then the apostille. For documents from another country, or for use in a non-Hague country, Department of Social Protection — PPS number / Civil Registration Service (0818 927 999) explains the legalisation chain.

Call firstDepartment of Foreign Affairs — Authentication/Apostille
Report toFaculty of Notaries Public / solicitors — probate
If that failsDepartment of Social Protection — PPS number / Civil Registration Service

🗣️ What to say

"I need an apostille on [document, issued by … on …] for use in [country]. Which authority issues it for this document type, what does it cost, can I apply by post or online, and how long does it take?"

🪜 Step by step

  1. Which document, which countryPublic documents (civil status, court, diploma from a public body) go straight to the apostille authority. Private ones are notarised first.
  2. Get a recent originalMany countries require the document to be recent (months) and an original or certified copy — not a photocopy.
  3. Apply at Department of Foreign Affairs — Authentication/ApostilleBy post in most countries, online in a few. Fee per document; a few days to weeks.
  4. TranslationUsually after the apostille, by a sworn translator, and sometimes the translation needs its own apostille. Ask the receiving country.
  5. Non-Hague countryLegalisation: the issuing authority → foreign ministry → the destination country's embassy. Department of Social Protection — PPS number / Civil Registration Service lists the steps.

📇 All contacts

Department of Foreign Affairs — Authentication/ApostilleApostille on Irish public documentsFor documents to be used abroad📞 01 408 2000🔗 www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizen-services/authenticating-documents
Faculty of Notaries Public / solicitors — probateProbate, certifications, powers of attorneyInheritance and certification🔗 www.notarypublic.ie
Department of Social Protection — PPS number / Civil Registration ServicePPS number, birth/marriage certificatesOn arrival and for certificates📞 0818 927 999🔗 www.gov.ie/en/service/12e6de-get-a-personal-public-service-pps-number
District Court — small claimsClaims up to €2,000 without a solicitorWhen the other side is not a landlord under RTB rules🔗 www.courts.ie/small-claims

❓ Frequently asked

Do EU documents need an apostille inside the EU?

Not for most civil-status documents since 2019 — a multilingual standard form replaces it. Diplomas and court documents may still need one; ask the receiving authority.

Can I get an apostille abroad for a document from Ireland?

No — apostilles are issued only by the country that issued the document. Ask a relative or a service to apply by post, or use the online route where it exists.

The receiving country wants "legalisation" for a Hague country

Then they are asking for the apostille; the words are used loosely. Confirm which convention applies.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “apostille Ireland where”
  • “apostille birth certificate how”
  • “legalisation document embassy”
  • “apostille diploma Ireland”
  • “sworn translation apostille”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🎓Diploma recognition→🏳️Citizenship→🔢National ID number→⏳Residence permit delay→

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