Notary Public Fees Ireland 2026: Full Price Guide

Notary Public Fees in Ireland: What to Expect in 2026

If you need to have documents notarised in Ireland, one of the first questions you'll have is: how much will it cost? Unlike many other professional services, notary public fees in Ireland are not regulated by a fixed price list. Each notary sets their own fees, which can make it difficult to know what to expect — until now.

This guide sets out a comprehensive breakdown of typical notary public fees in Ireland for 2026, with specific reference to the Cork market. We cover every common document type, explain what drives costs up or down, and help you understand what represents good value for money.

At Hugh Phelan's practice in Douglas, Cork, we believe in complete transparency on fees. There are no surprises — all charges are agreed upfront before any work begins. Call 021-489-7134 for a specific quote.

Standard Notary Public Fee Schedule (Cork, 2026)

Below is a representative fee guide based on typical charges at Hugh Phelan's Douglas, Cork practice. All fees are exclusive of VAT at 23% unless otherwise stated.

Important: These are indicative fees. Your exact quote may vary depending on document complexity, translation requirements, or the need for multiple notarial acts. Always confirm fees before proceeding.

What Affects the Cost of Notarisation in Ireland?

Several factors influence how much you'll pay a notary public in Ireland:

1. Complexity of the Document

A straightforward signature notarisation on a standard form takes less time than a complex international power of attorney that requires detailed review. The more complex the document, the higher the fee. Documents that require drafting from scratch (rather than simply certifying an existing document) will typically cost more.

2. Number of Documents

If you need several documents notarised at the same appointment, you can typically negotiate a reduced per-document rate. Bringing everything to one appointment is more efficient for both you and the notary, and this efficiency is usually reflected in the total cost.

3. Whether an Apostille is Required

If your notarised document also needs an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs, this adds to the total cost. The DFA charges a government fee of €40 per document. Many notaries also charge for the administration of organising and submitting to the DFA and collecting the completed apostille.

4. Urgency and Turnaround Time

Standard turnaround for a notarised document in Ireland is typically 1–3 business days (longer if the apostille from the DFA is required, as DFA turnaround can be 5–10 days). Urgent same-day or next-day services may attract a premium. If you have a genuine deadline — a flight, a closing date, a visa appointment — always call ahead to discuss options.

5. Translation Requirements

If your document is in a foreign language and needs to be translated as part of the process, translation fees will be added. In some cases, the receiving country may require a certified translation from a sworn translator, which is an additional service.

6. Type of Notarial Act

There are different types of notarial acts — certification of a signature, certification of a copy, a formal notarial act in public form, a protest, etc. The type of act required will influence the fee. Your notary will advise on what is required for your specific purpose.

Apostille Fees: The Full Breakdown

The apostille process involves two costs that are often quoted together:

• Notary's fee for preparing and certifying the document: From €65
• DFA government fee for the apostille certificate: €40 per document
• Administration fee for DFA submission and collection: Typically €15–€30

So a complete apostille service in Cork — from initial consultation through to having the final apostilled document in your hand — will typically cost in the range of €100–€150 + VAT per document.

This compares very favourably to London-based apostille agencies, which often charge £150–£250 or more for the same service. Using a Cork-based notary for Irish documents makes obvious geographic and cost sense.

Power of Attorney: Fees Explained

Powers of attorney are one of the most common notarial requests, and the fees reflect the significant responsibility involved:

• Simple PoA (limited scope, standard form): From €120
• General PoA for overseas property sale: From €150
• Complex PoA (multiple transactions, specific legal language required): From €175
• Enduring PoA (with legal advice component): From €200+

All powers of attorney require identity verification and a detailed discussion with the notary to confirm your intentions and ensure the document is appropriate for its stated purpose.

Corporate and Business Document Fees

Businesses regularly require notarised documents for cross-border transactions, international contracts, overseas company registrations, and more. Typical corporate notary fees include:

• Notarised board resolutions: From €150
• Certificate of incumbency: From €150
• Notarised company constitutional documents: From €175
• Notarised shareholder agreements (for overseas use): From €200
• Large corporate transactions (multi-document): Quoted individually

Hugh Phelan has extensive experience in corporate notarial work and can liaise directly with your company solicitors or overseas legal teams to ensure documents meet the precise requirements of the receiving jurisdiction.

Is VAT Charged on Notary Public Fees?

Yes — VAT at the standard Irish rate of 23% applies to notary public fees. This is important to factor into your total cost. For example:

• Simple notarisation: €65 + €14.95 VAT = €79.95 total
• Apostille service: €100 + €23 VAT = €123 total
• Power of attorney: €150 + €34.50 VAT = €184.50 total

The DFA government fee (€40) is not subject to VAT as it is a government charge, not a professional fee.

If you are a VAT-registered business, you may be able to reclaim the VAT on notary fees as a business expense — check with your accountant.

How Do Irish Notary Fees Compare to Other Countries?

Irish notary public fees are generally considered reasonable and competitive by international standards:

• United Kingdom: Notary fees typically range from £80–£300 per document, often significantly higher in London
• USA: Notary fees vary by state, from as little as $5 (for a simple mobile notary) to $200+ for complex international documents through a notary attorney
• France/Spain: Civil law notaries charge government-regulated fees, often starting at €100–€200 for basic acts
• Germany: Notary fees are strictly regulated by law and calculated on the transaction value — can be very high for property transactions

Ireland's fee levels reflect the fact that the Irish notary system is relatively accessible and market-driven, while maintaining the professional standards required for international recognition.

Tips for Reducing Your Notary Costs

Here are some practical ways to manage your notarisation costs:

• Batch your documents: Bring all documents you need notarised to one appointment. Per-document rates are typically lower when multiple documents are done together.
• Check what's actually required: Sometimes clients assume they need an apostille when only notarisation is needed. Confirm with the receiving party what they require.
• Provide clear, complete documents: Incomplete or unclear documents can require additional correspondence and add to your bill. Come prepared.
• Avoid rush fees: If your timeline allows, plan ahead. Urgent or same-day services attract a premium.
• Use a local Cork notary: Travelling to Dublin for notarial services makes no financial or practical sense for Cork clients. Hugh Phelan provides full services in Douglas.

Why Choose Hugh Phelan for Notarial Services in Cork?

Hugh Phelan has been serving Cork clients for over 20 years as both a Solicitor and Notary Public. His practice in Douglas offers:

• Transparent, upfront pricing — no surprises on your bill
• Fast turnaround — same-day appointments available for urgent matters
• Full apostille service — end-to-end management from notarisation to DFA and back
• Dual qualification — both a Solicitor and Notary Public, offering comprehensive legal support
• Central Cork location — Douglas, easily reached from all Cork city and county areas, with free parking
• Extensive international experience — familiar with document requirements for Spain, Portugal, the USA, Australia, UAE, and many other countries

Frequently Asked Questions — Notary Fees Ireland

Q: Can I get a quote before committing?
A: Yes, absolutely. Call 021-489-7134 or email info@phelansolicitors.com with details of your document, and we will provide a no-obligation quote.

Q: Do you charge for a brief consultation?
A: A brief phone consultation to discuss your requirements and provide a quote is free of charge.

Q: Are there any hidden fees?
A: No. All fees are agreed in writing before work begins. The only additional charges that may arise are government fees (DFA apostille: €40) or third-party costs (e.g., sworn translation), which are always disclosed upfront.

Q: Do you offer a payment plan?
A: For straightforward notarial work, payment is typically required at or before the appointment. For larger corporate matters, payment terms can be discussed.

Q: What methods of payment do you accept?
A: Cash, bank transfer, and credit/debit card payments are accepted.

How to Book Your Appointment

Getting your documents notarised by Hugh Phelan is straightforward:

• Call: 021-489-7134 — Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm
• Email: info@phelansolicitors.com
• Visit: Douglas, Cork (address provided when appointment confirmed)

Please have your document(s) ready and bring valid photo ID (passport or driving licence) to your appointment. For documents requiring a signature, do not sign the document in advance — you must sign in the notary's presence.

Summary: Notary Public Fees Ireland 2026

• Simple notarisation in Ireland starts from €65 + VAT
• Apostille services (full end-to-end) start from €100 + VAT
• Powers of attorney start from €120 + VAT
• Corporate documents start from €150 + VAT
• DFA government apostille fee: €40 (not subject to VAT)
• Hugh Phelan offers transparent, upfront pricing with no surprises
• Call 021-489-7134 for your personal quote