Expert answers from Hugh Phelan, Solicitor & Notary Public appointed by the Chief Justice of Ireland
Notary public fees in Ireland vary depending on the complexity of the document and the notary's location. In Cork, Hugh Phelan charges from €65 per document for standard notarisation. Additional documents notarised at the same appointment are usually charged at a reduced rate. Powers of attorney, corporate documents, and complex international matters may cost more. Call +353-21-489-7134 for an exact quote. Most appointments take 15–30 minutes.
A Notary Public is appointed by the Chief Justice and their notarised documents are recognised internationally under the Hague Apostille Convention. A Commissioner for Oaths can only witness sworn statements for use within Ireland. If your document is for use in another country, you need a Notary Public. If it's for Irish courts or domestic purposes, a Commissioner for Oaths may suffice. Most solicitors are automatically Commissioners for Oaths, but only those appointed by the Chief Justice can act as Notaries Public.
You can find a notary public in Cork by contacting the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland, searching online, or contacting a solicitor's firm that offers notarial services. Hugh Phelan at Phelan Solicitors in Douglas, Cork is a Notary Public appointed by the Chief Justice. His office is on East Douglas Street — call +353-21-489-7134. Same-day appointments available.
A Notary Public can notarise a wide range of documents including: powers of attorney, affidavits and statutory declarations, contracts, property deeds, corporate documents (board resolutions, share transfers), certified copies of passports and ID, academic transcripts, consent letters for minors travelling abroad, immigration documents, and more. Contact a notary for advice if you're unsure.
Appointments are recommended, but same-day and urgent requests can often be accommodated. Hugh Phelan offers same-day notary service subject to availability. Call 021-489-7134 to book, or 086-390-7815 for urgent matters.
An apostille is a certificate from the Department of Foreign Affairs verifying a notary's signature and seal. It's required for documents going to Hague Convention countries (Ireland ratified in 1999). For non-Hague countries, embassy legalisation is needed instead. The Cork DFA office is at 1A South Mall.
Yes — this is one of the most common notarial services. The certified copy carries the notary's seal and is accepted worldwide. You must bring the original passport to the appointment.
Most appointments take 15–30 minutes. Simple documents like passport copies are quick. Complex matters like international powers of attorney may take longer.
Bring: (1) the original documents to be notarised, (2) valid photo ID — passport preferred, (3) any supporting documents or instructions from the requesting party. Contact the office beforehand if unsure.
Yes. Overseas property documents are a very common notarial service. Whether buying in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, the US, or elsewhere, Hugh Phelan can notarise powers of attorney, contracts, declarations, and identity documents. He's experienced in many jurisdictions' specific requirements.
Call Hugh Phelan at +353-21-489-7134 or visit our contact page