Many countries want proof that an Irish certificate is genuine before they accept it. Here is how to get the Department of Foreign Affairs stamp, by post or at a counter in Dublin or Cork.
The numbers
€40per Apostille or authentication stamp
3-7 daysaverage by post (working days, plus postage)
Postor walk in to Dublin or Cork (no online service)
5most documents you can have done while you wait
The Authentication Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs adds a stamp that proves an Irish public document is genuine. It costs €40 per document, and you can post your papers or walk in to the Dublin or Cork office.
Do you need one?
You need a stamp if a foreign authority asks for one, for example to marry, work or study abroad. Ask that authority first, because each country has its own rules. The department only stamps Irish documents with a clear Irish link.
Apostille or authentication?
| Where the document is going | What you need | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| A Hague Apostille Convention country | Apostille | One stamp from the department. Done. |
| A country outside the Hague Convention | Authentication | Department stamp, then the country's embassy in Ireland (or sometimes the UK) also signs it |
| Another EU country (some documents) | Often none | EU rules exempt certain GRO birth, death and marriage certificates and Garda criminal record certificates |
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (ireland.ie)
What you need
- The original document. Birth, death and marriage certificates must be originals from the General Register Office (GRO).
- Documents that can go straight to the department include Garda clearance certificates, Irish court documents such as divorce decrees and deed polls, naturalisation certificates and Leaving Certificates.
- Copies, translations, affidavits, powers of attorney and company documents must first be certified by a notary public (or a solicitor, for certified copies).
- Translations must be done by an Irish registered translator and then notarised.
- A cover letter with your name, phone number, email, the country where you will use the document and your return address.
- Payment: card by phone, or an Irish postal order or bank draft payable to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Step by step: by post
- Ask the foreign authority if it needs an Apostille or an authentication.
- Get your document notarised first if it is a copy, translation or other document that needs certifying.
- Write your cover letter, including the destination country.
- Post the documents to the Authentication Section, Consular Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 80 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02 VY53. If you live in Munster, use 1A South Mall, Cork, T12 TA46.
- Wait for a phone call from staff to take card payment, or include a postal order or bank draft.
- Get your documents back by registered post. Return postage is included in the fee.
Step by step: walk in
- Get any copies or translations notarised before you go.
- Go to 42-47 Mount Street Lower, Dublin 2, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm or 2.30pm to 3.30pm. The office is closed on Wednesdays.
- Or go to 1A South Mall, Cork, on Tuesday or Thursday, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
- Bring up to 5 documents and know which country they are for.
- Pay at the counter and take your stamped documents away, usually within 30 minutes.
How much it costs and how long it takes
€40
per Apostille or authentication stamp. An adoption dossier costs €100 and an export document €10.Source: ireland.ie
30 mins
is the target time at the walk-in counter. By post, the average is 3 to 7 working days from when it arrives.Source: ireland.ie
Common mistakes
- Sending a photocopy instead of the original. It will be refused.
- Sending a church certificate. Religious certificates are not accepted, only civil ones.
- Sending a laminated document or one that has expired.
- Sending foreign documents. The department only stamps Irish ones.
- Paying by cheque or American Express. Neither is accepted.
If something goes wrong
- Authentication Section: +353 1 408 2174, weekdays, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Phone this number for urgent requests.
- You can also use the contact form on the department's Apostille page.
- Living abroad? Irish embassies cannot add the stamp. Post your documents to Dublin.
- To check a stamp is real, search the online register at authentications.dfa.ie.
Related guides
- How to get a copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate
- How to get Garda vetting
- How to change your name by deed poll
- How to give notice of marriage or civil partnership
- How to apply for Foreign Births Registration
Recent changes and what to check
To check
There is no digital or e-Apostille service yet. The department says it does not currently offer one.
To check
No change to the €40 fee was announced in Budget 2027.
