How can I check if someone is a real notary public in Ireland?

You can verify a notary through the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland, which maintains a register of practising notaries. Most notaries are also solicitors and can be checked through the Law Society of Ireland's Find a Solicitor tool. A genuine notary will readily confirm their appointment by the Chief Justice.

Is online notarisation valid in Ireland?

No. Irish law requires physical presence before the notary public for all notarial acts. Documents purportedly notarised online, by email, or by video call are not validly notarised under Irish law. While some other jurisdictions allow remote online notarisation, this is not recognised in Ireland.

What is the difference between a Commissioner for Oaths and a Notary Public?

A Commissioner for Oaths can administer oaths and witness statutory declarations for domestic Irish purposes. A Notary Public is appointed by the Chief Justice and can perform notarial acts that are recognised internationally and can be apostilled. For documents intended for use outside Ireland, you need a Notary Public, not a Commissioner for Oaths.

What to Do If You've Been Scammed by a Fake 'Notary'

It is an alarming reality: some people discover too late that the "notary" who processed their documents was not a genuine notary public at all. In Ireland, the title "Notary Public" is a regulated legal designation — only individuals appointed by the Chief Justice of Ireland may use it. But online scams, unqualified individuals offering "notarisation" services, and misunderstandings about what constitutes valid notarisation can leave people with worthless documents and real financial or legal consequences.

How to Identify a Genuine Notary Public in Ireland

A genuine Irish notary public:

Is appointed by the Chief Justice of Ireland — this is not a self-declared title
Is usually a practising solicitor — most (but not all) Irish notaries are also solicitors
Has a personal notarial seal — bearing their name, title, and jurisdiction
Maintains a protocol (record book) — recording all notarial acts performed
Is listed on the Register of Notaries — maintained by the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland
Meets you in person — Irish law requires physical presence for notarisation

Red Flags: Signs of a Fake Notary

Online-only service: Claims to notarise documents remotely or by email — this is not valid in Ireland
No physical office: Cannot provide a physical address where you can attend
Unusually low fees: Prices significantly below market rates may indicate an unqualified operator
No seal: The document is stamped with a generic stamp rather than a personal notarial seal
No identity check: A genuine notary always verifies your identity — if no ID is requested, something is wrong
Pressure to sign quickly: A genuine notary will ensure you understand the document; a scammer wants the transaction done fast
Cannot be verified: Not listed with the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland or the Law Society of Ireland
"Notary" from another jurisdiction: Someone claiming to be a notary from another country operating in Ireland without Irish appointment

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

Do not use the documents: Documents notarised by an unqualified person are invalid and may cause further problems if submitted to a bank, embassy, or court
Report to An Garda Síochána: Filing a report with the Gardaí creates an official record and may help prevent others from being scammed
Contact the Faculty of Notaries Public: Report the fraudulent activity to the professional body for notaries in Ireland
Contact the Law Society of Ireland: If the person claimed to be a solicitor, the Law Society can investigate
Get documents properly notarised: Visit a genuine notary public to have your documents correctly notarised
Notify the receiving institution: If you already submitted the fake documents, inform the bank, embassy, or other institution immediately
Seek legal advice: If you have suffered financial loss, a solicitor can advise on recovery options

Common Scam Scenarios

Online "Notarisation" Services

Websites offering to notarise Irish documents online are not providing valid Irish notarisation. While some jurisdictions (particularly certain US states) permit remote online notarisation, this is not valid under Irish law. Any document purportedly "notarised" online by an Irish "notary" is not validly notarised.

Commissioner for Oaths Confusion

A Commissioner for Oaths is not a Notary Public. Commissioners can administer oaths and witness statutory declarations for domestic Irish purposes, but their certification is not recognised internationally and cannot be apostilled. Documents intended for use abroad must be notarised by a Notary Public, not merely witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths.

Foreign "Notaries" in Ireland

A person appointed as a notary in another country does not have authority to perform notarial acts in Ireland. Only a notary appointed by the Chief Justice of Ireland can perform valid notarial acts under Irish law.

How to Verify a Notary

Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland: The professional body maintains a register of practising notaries
Law Society of Ireland: Most notaries are also solicitors and can be verified through the Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool
Ask to see credentials: A genuine notary will have no hesitation in confirming their appointment

Contact Hugh Phelan

Hugh Phelan is a Solicitor and Notary Public appointed by the Chief Justice of Ireland, practising from East Douglas Street, Douglas, Cork. He is a member of the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland and the Law Society of Ireland, with a BCL from UCC and dual qualification in Ireland and England & Wales.

Contact us at 021-489-7134 or info@phelansolicitors.com, or book an appointment online.