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, and it destined to be read/used outside of Ireland, then the circumstances vary.

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, and the United States.

* 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 UK 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 some states and territories. We will provide a ‘to whom it may concern’ letter quoting the relevant rule and  laws. However we do not sign documents for Federal/Commonwealth purposes such as for the the Australian Tax Office or AHPRA, because those agencies usually specify a precise list of acceptable signatories which does not include our level of title.

 

* 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 – our principal – David O’Sullivan – has been appointed as a ‘Commissioner for Oaths’ under Saskatchewan law. This means we can sign your document in Ireland as if it were being signed in Saskatchewan. The benefit of this is that even if the recipient asked for the post signing steps of legalisation or an apostille you would not be required to obtain those. Our service saves you the hassle of having to involve the Canadian Embassy in Dublin or the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, respectively. This saves your time and money. We will provide a letter quoting the relevant laws and precedents, that you can attach to your signed document.

 

* 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. We can sign the TV licence declaration.

 

* A document from the United States might call for a “Notarization”, or to be “Notarized” by a US “Notary Public” or US “Public Notary”.
Yes we can sign documents for the state of New Hampshire: Our principal – David O’Sullivan – has been appointed as a ‘Commissioner of Deeds’ under New Hampshire law. This means we can sign your document in Ireland as if it were being signed in New Hampshire. The benefit of this is that even if the recipient asked for the post signing steps of legalisation or an apostille you would not be required to obtain that. Our service saves you the hassle of having to involve the US Embassy in Dublin or the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, respectively.

 

No we do not sign documents for other US states. For other states you should instead use an Irish Notary Public. The Irish Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland does not publish a list of fees, but it is generally understood that a Notary Public tends to be more expensive – on a like for like basis.

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.