Can we sign documents that are being sent abroad / overseas / outside of Ireland?

The bulk of documents that an Ireland Commissioner for Oaths signs are for use in Ireland.

If a document is being signed in Ireland then it depends on each circumstance.

The laws of many countries accept that when a document is being signed outside of their own borders it can be signed by a person who is authorised to administer oaths in that foreign place. (i.e. the signature and stamp of Mr David O’Sullivan Cork Commissioner for Oaths would be acceptable).

In practice, the signature of Mr David O’Sullivan Cork Commissioner for Oaths has been accepted by multiple authorities in English speaking countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

For example:

* A document from the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales etc.) Might refer to the need for a “counter signature” or to be “countersigned”.
Is our signature acceptable?
Yes we can sign documents for the UK. For your convenience, to reduce queries for you, we will provide a ‘to whom it may concern’ letter quoting the relevant rules and laws

 

* A document from New Zealand might ask for the signature of a Justice of the Peace. Is our signature acceptable?
Yes we can sign documents for New Zealand. For your convenience, to reduce queries for you, we will provide a ‘to whom it may concern’ letter confirming this is the case, quoting the relevant rules and laws. Examples of documents we sign include the Kiwisaver claim form and attached certified or true copies of your proof of name and proof of address documents.

 

* A document from Australia
might refer to needing a signature of a “Justice of the Peace” or “Commissioner for Declarations” or an “Authorised Witness”.
Is our signature acceptable?
It varies we can sign documents for use within all states and territories, but not the overall Commonwealth of Australia or for agencies which are of a national nature such as the Australian Tax Office or AHPRA. For your convenience, to reduce queries for you, we will provide a ‘to whom it may concern’ letter confirming this is the case, quoting the relevant rules and laws.

 

* A document from Canada might refer to a “Commissioner for Taking Affidavits” or “Commissioner for Taking Oaths”
Is our signature acceptable?
Yes we can sign documents for Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta
Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.
For your convenience, to reduce queries for you, we will provide a ‘to whom it may concern’ letter confirming this is the case, quoting the relevant rules and laws.

 

A benefit of using our service in relation to Saskatchewan is that – we also hold an appointment as a ‘Commissioner for Oaths’ under Saskatchewan law. This means we can sign your document as if it were being signed in Saskatchewan. So, even if the recipient asked for legalisation or an apostille you would not be required to obtain those from the Canadian Embassy in Dublin. This would save your time and money.

 

* A document from South Africa might refer to a “Commissioner of Oaths” or “Kommissaris van Ede”.
Is our signature acceptable?
it depends on the document and agency

 

* A document from the United States might call for a “Notarization”, or to be “Notarized” by a US “Notary Public” or US “Public Notary” or Lawyer or Attorney. We do not sign documents for use in the USA.
Is our signature acceptable?
Yes, we can sign ‘Notary Public’ type documents for the State of New Hampshire, but not any other US States.

We hold an appointment as a ‘Commissioner of Deeds’ under New Hampshire law.
A benefit of having us sign your document is that – because we would be using a NH title – your document would then not need an Apostille. This will save you €40 and the hassle of visiting the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs to deliver and collect your document.

In any other circumstance, such as a document going to a Non-English Speaking country then a document which is being signed in Ireland, and is known to be destined for use outside of Ireland should be signed by an Ireland Notary Public. A Notary Public is a person who specialises in signing foreign documents. A Notary Public is an add-on title that is used by a certain sub-set of long serving Solicitors. The Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland does not publish a list of fees, but it is generally understood that a Commissioner for Oaths tends to be cheaper than a Notary per document on a like-for-like basis, which means that the public generally prefer to use a Commissioner for Oaths when possible. In a an open marketplace the public are free to choose who they wish to do business with.

Apostille / Legalisation

If a document is to be sent outside Ireland then sometimes the person / party to whom it is being sent might ask that it is “Apostilled” or “Legalised” before it leaves Ireland. These are two different streams. Each is a set of extra steps followed after a person/ agency in Ireland has signed or stamped a document.

Apostille

Yes, a Document signed by Mr David O’Sullivan Commissioner for Oaths can have an Apostille affixed to it. This is a statement (which can take the form of a rubber stamp or a sticker) that confirms that David O’Sullivan is indeed a Commissioner for Oaths. This provides reassurance to the receiver in a chain process: wherein the Commissioner for Oaths ‘vouched’ for the ID of the signer of the document in question, next the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs ‘vouched’ for the ID of the Commissioner for Oaths.

Legalisation

If your document requires “Legalisation” then we suggest you instead visit a Notary Public. A Notary Public is a person who specialises in signing foreign documents.