When would I need a document authenticated?

If you are going to use Irish documents overseas, for business or personal reasons, you may need to have them authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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Authenticating documents

Foreign governments and organisations sometimes require that documents be apostilled or authenticated before they can accept them. In the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade we can apostille or authenticate documents that were created in Ireland for use abroad.

Embassies of Ireland abroad can legalise certain documents that were created abroad so that they are acceptable for use in Ireland. 

You should check the position with the relevant Embassy in advance. https://www.dfa.ie/embassies/irish-embassies-abroad/

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Public Office and opening hours

A Public Office providing the services are available in the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork.

The office is Dublin is now located at 42-47 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. The opening hours are 09:30 to 12:30 and 14:30 to 16:00 Monday-Friday. All enquiries regarding the service and the public office in Dublin can be made by calling 01 408 2174.

Information regarding the location and opening hours of the public office in Cork can found under ‘How to Apply’ below.

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Fees

Each Apostille/Authentication stamp is €40, with the exception of documents directly relating to the export of goods, which are €10 each.

Adoption Dossiers are €100 for the original pack, regardless of the number of labels required. Additional documents relating to this original pack are free of charge.

Post Placement Reports are €40 for each report (usually up to four post placement reports).

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E-Register Verification of Apostilles and Authentications

The online electronic register enables you to verify the authenticity of an Apostille or Authentication issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland.

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https://www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/authenticating-documents/

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