Ask ten people on Patrick Street what a Notary Public does, and you will likely get ten different answers — most of them wrong. The Notary Public is arguably the most misunderstood legal profession in Ireland. People confuse notaries with solicitors, with Commissioners for Oaths, with "stamp people," and with the American version of the role (which is completely different). Let us set the record straight.
Misconception #1: "A Notary Public Is Just Someone Who Stamps Things"
This is the most common misconception. While notaries do apply a seal (stamp), the seal is the visible symbol of something much more substantive. Before applying the seal, the notary:
- Verifies your identity using photo ID
- Examines the document for authenticity
- Ensures you understand what you are signing and are acting voluntarily
- Prepares a notarial certificate — a formal legal statement about what was witnessed
- Records everything in a permanent register
The seal represents all of this — it is the notary's professional guarantee that the document is what it claims to be.
Misconception #2: "Any Solicitor Can Do What a Notary Does"
For domestic purposes, a solicitor can certify copies and witness signatures. But for international use, this is not sufficient. Foreign authorities — whether they are government agencies, courts, banks, or universities — require documents authenticated by a Notary Public because:
- The notarial seal is internationally recognised
- The Notary's signature can be verified and apostilled
- The notarial system is part of a global network that foreign authorities understand and trust
Misconception #3: "A Notary and a Commissioner for Oaths Are the Same"
A Commissioner for Oaths can administer oaths and witness statutory declarations — but only for domestic Irish use. They have no international standing. A Notary Public can do everything a Commissioner for Oaths does, plus authenticate documents for use abroad. If your document is leaving Ireland, a Commissioner for Oaths is not sufficient.
Misconception #4: "Irish Notaries Are Like American Notaries"
This is perhaps the most dangerous misconception. In the United States, almost anyone can become a Notary Public with minimal training — it is a low-level administrative function. In Ireland, a Notary Public is a senior legal professional, appointed by the Chief Justice, with a law degree and specialised notarial qualifications. The two roles share a name but almost nothing else.
Misconception #5: "I Only Need a Notary If I'm Going to Court"
Notaries rarely have anything to do with court proceedings. The vast majority of notarial work involves:
- Documents for immigration — moving to another country
- Documents for property transactions — buying or selling abroad
- Documents for business — corporate matters with international elements
- Documents for marriage abroad
- Documents for education — qualifications for foreign employers or regulators
- Powers of Attorney — for managing affairs across borders
Misconception #6: "I Need to Go to Dublin for Notary Services"
Absolutely not. Notaries Public practise throughout Ireland. In Cork, Hugh Phelan offers the full range of notarial services from his office in Douglas — often with same-day appointments. You do not need to travel to Dublin.
Misconception #7: "Notarisation Is Expensive"
Notarial fees are regulated and reasonable. A simple notarisation may cost €80–€150, and multiple documents can be handled in a single appointment at a reduced per-document rate. Compared to the cost of the transactions notarised documents support — property purchases, immigration applications, international business deals — the notarisation fee is modest.
What a Notary Public Actually Is
A Notary Public is:
- A legal professional of the highest standing, appointed by the Chief Justice
- A guardian of document authenticity in an international context
- A member of a profession that is over 2,000 years old
- An essential link in the chain that allows Irish documents to be used anywhere in the world
Next time you see a notary's seal, you'll know it represents far more than a stamp.
About Hugh Phelan
Hugh Phelan is a Solicitor and Notary Public practising from East Douglas Street, Douglas, Cork. Appointed by the Chief Justice of Ireland, he holds a BCL from UCC, a Diploma in Notarial Law, and is dual-qualified in Ireland and England & Wales.
Contact us at 021-489-7134 or info@phelansolicitors.com, or book an appointment online.
Looking for a Notary Public in Cork?
Now you know what one really does. Hugh Phelan, Solicitor & Notary Public, Douglas, Cork.
Book Your Appointment📞 +353-21-489-7134 · East Douglas Street, Douglas, Cork