What ID Do You Need for Notarisation in Ireland?

One of the most common causes of delay or inconvenience at a notarisation appointment is arriving without the correct identification. Bringing the right ID is essential — the notary cannot proceed without properly verifying your identity. This guide explains exactly what identification you need to bring to a notary public appointment in Ireland, why it's required, and what to do in special circumstances.

Why Is Identification Required?

Identity verification is fundamental to the notarisation process for two important reasons:

1. The Notarial Function

When a Notary Public notarises a document, they are certifying (among other things) that the person who signed the document is the person they claim to be. This certification is relied upon by authorities, courts, and institutions around the world. Without proper identity verification, the notarial act has no integrity.

2. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Obligations

Notaries Public in Ireland are "designated persons" under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 (as amended). This legislation requires notaries to carry out customer due diligence (CDD), which includes verifying the identity of every client. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in serious criminal penalties for the notary.

The AML requirements mean that the notary must collect and verify identity documents as a matter of law, not simply professional practice. This is non-negotiable.

Photo Identification

You must bring at least one current, valid form of photo identification to your notarisation appointment. The accepted forms of photo ID are, in order of preference:

Passport (Strongly Preferred)

A current, valid passport is the gold standard for identification at a notary appointment. Reasons include:

• It is the most universally recognised form of identification worldwide
• Many foreign authorities specifically require the notary to record passport details (number, place of issue, date of issue, expiry date)
• It contains a standardised photograph and machine-readable zone, making identity verification more reliable
• It is accepted without question by virtually all foreign authorities, embassies, and courts

Tip: Even if your document is for domestic use, bring your passport if you have one. It makes the process smoother.

Driving Licence

An Irish or EU driving licence (card format) is acceptable as secondary or supporting identification. However, some foreign authorities may not accept notarised documents where only a driving licence was used for identity verification. For this reason, a passport is always preferred.

National Identity Card

For EU/EEA nationals, a national identity card issued by their country of nationality may be accepted. Ireland does not issue national identity cards, but many other EU countries do (e.g., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal).

Other Photo ID

Other forms of photo ID (such as a Public Services Card, student card, or work ID) are generally not sufficient on their own for notarisation. They may be accepted as supplementary identification in combination with a primary form of ID.

Proof of Address

In addition to photo ID, the notary will typically need to verify your current address. Acceptable proof of address includes:

• Utility bill (electricity, gas, phone, broadband) — dated within the last 3 months
• Bank statement or building society statement — dated within the last 3 months
• Revenue Commissioners correspondence — dated within the last 12 months
• Government correspondence — such as a social welfare letter, dated within the last 6 months
• Mortgage statement or tenancy agreement — current

Note: The proof of address must show your name and current residential address. Mobile phone bills are generally accepted, but credit card statements may not be, depending on the notary's requirements.

Digital statements: Printed copies of online bank statements or e-bills are generally acceptable, provided they clearly show your name, address, and a recent date.

Identification for Corporate Clients

If you are attending on behalf of a company, additional documentation is required:

• Your personal ID: Passport and proof of address (as above)
• Authority to act: Board resolution or letter of authority confirming you are authorised to sign on behalf of the company
• Company identification: Certificate of Incorporation, CRO printout, or other documentation identifying the company
• Beneficial ownership information: Details of the company's beneficial owners (required under AML legislation)

Special Situations

Expired Passport

An expired passport may be accepted in some circumstances, particularly if combined with another current form of photo ID. However, this is at the notary's discretion. It is always best to have a current passport.

Recently Moved Address

If you have recently moved and don't yet have utility bills at your new address, discuss this with the notary in advance. A combination of your old address documents and evidence of the new address (such as a lease agreement) may be acceptable.

Non-Irish Nationals

Non-Irish nationals should bring their national passport. If you have an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, bring that too. The notary will need to verify your identity using the same standards as for Irish nationals.

Your Appointment Checklist

Before leaving for your notary appointment, make sure you have:

• ✅ Valid passport (strongly preferred) or other photo ID
• ✅ Proof of address dated within the last 3 months
• ✅ The document(s) to be notarised (unsigned if signing is required)
• ✅ Instructions from the requesting party (if any)
• ✅ Corporate documents (if acting on behalf of a company)
• ✅ Payment method (check accepted methods when booking)

Questions? Contact Us

If you're unsure what ID you need for your specific notarisation, contact Hugh Phelan's office in advance. We're happy to confirm the requirements for your particular situation so you can arrive fully prepared.

Call 021-489-7134, email info@phelansolicitors.com, or book an appointment online.