How to Become a Notary in Ireland: Steps and Requirements

Irish solicitors with five years’ post-qualification experience can pursue notarial appointment through a structured three-stage process overseen by the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland. The pathway runs from a Faculty examination through a professional course to a petition to the Chief Justice.

Stages to become a notary in Ireland: 3 ·
Application fee: €90 ·
Required prior qualification: Solicitor ·
Governing body: Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland ·
Entry course: Notarial Professional Course

Key data points on notary appointment in Ireland, drawn from official sources.

How do you become a notary in Ireland?

The path involves three distinct stages. First, the candidate must comply with the relevant provisions of the Notaries Public Education, Training and Examination Regulations 2007–2021. Second, they complete the Notarial Professional Course or Diploma in Notarial Law & Practice. Third, they petition the Chief Justice via Notice of Motion, with the Faculty and Law Society as notice parties (Institute of Notarial Studies).

Eligibility requirements

Candidates must be practising solicitors or barristers with at least five years post-qualification experience, including two consecutive years immediately preceding the application (Institute of Notarial Studies). Regulations require practising barrister or solicitor status, reflecting Chief Justices’ dicta (Faculty of Notaries Public Submission).

Application process

The Faculty Examination is scheduled for 21 June 2024, with resit opportunities in July/June 2024 (Institute of Notarial Studies). Success in the examination does not guarantee appointment; a formal petition via Notice of Motion to the Chief Justice is required, with Faculty and Law Society as notice parties. Employed solicitors need a letter from CEO or managing partner consenting to the petition (Institute of Notarial Studies). Candidates must provide certificate of good standing from Law Society (solicitors) or Bar Council (barristers) and undertake to observe Faculty Code (Faculty of Notaries Public Submission).

Education and training

The Notarial Professional Course runs from September to July over one academic year, remotely, covering twelve topics with assessments (Institute of Notarial Studies). Notaries Public appointed by Chief Justice in open court via petition showing residence and occupation (Supreme Court Ireland). New notaries are urged by Chief Justice to join Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland and seek their guidance (Institute of Notarial Studies).

Who can act as a notary in Ireland?

Only qualified solicitors and barristers can act as notaries in Ireland. The Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland oversees education, training, and examination for all aspiring notaries (Institute of Notarial Studies). Notaries in Ireland certify documents for abroad use, verify identity, address, signature, without advising on content (PJF Solicitors).

Qualifications needed

Practising solicitor or barrister status is the baseline. Notaries must have facility to meet appearers and handle practical duties (Institute of Notarial Studies). Notaries insist on original documents and in-person signing (PJF Solicitors).

Solicitor prerequisite

Northern Ireland takes a different angle: a notary public must be a practising solicitor of at least six years standing per Order 107, Rule 9 of Rules of the Court of Judicature (NI) 1980 (Justice NI). This contrasts with the Republic’s five-year post-qualification experience plus two consecutive recent years (Institute of Notarial Studies). The appointment authority in Ireland rests with the Chief Justice (Supreme Court Ireland).

Who can become a notary public?

Regulations require practising barrister or solicitor status, reflecting Chief Justices’ dicta (Faculty of Notaries Public Submission). The path is formally open to barristers alongside solicitors, though in practice the solicitor route dominates (Institute of Notarial Studies).

Prior experience

Five years post-qualification experience, including two consecutive years immediately preceding the application, is the minimum (Institute of Notarial Studies). Non-graduates can become solicitors via Preliminary Exam, which opens the notary route to those without a standard degree (Careers Portal).

Admission stages

Three stages to appointment: compliance with regulations, completion of Notarial Professional Course, then petition to the Chief Justice (Institute of Notarial Studies). Petition involves court fees advised by Supreme Court Registrar (Institute of Notarial Studies). The Chief Justice decides on petitions for appointment and who should or should not be appointed (Institute of Notarial Studies).

What is the best way to become a notary?

The official route runs through the Faculty of Notaries Public in Ireland, with the Institute of Notarial Studies delivering the Notarial Professional Course (Institute of Notarial Studies). That’s the recognised path endorsed by the Supreme Court (Supreme Court Ireland).

Official routes

First, comply with the Notaries Public Education, Training and Examination Regulations 2007–2021. Then complete the Diploma in Notarial Law & Practice or Notarial Professional Course. Finally, petition the Chief Justice in open court (Institute of Notarial Studies).

Training programs

The Notarial Professional Course runs one academic year, September to July, remotely, covering twelve topics with assessments (Institute of Notarial Studies). Faculty course previously had seven modules October to April, exam May and October (as of 2012 reference) (Faculty Submission). Exam dates for 2024 are 21 June (main) and July/August (resit) (Institute of Notarial Studies).

How much does a notary cost in Ireland?

Notaries set their own fees for services, which vary by document type, complexity, and location. The €90 application fee appears in some sources but remains unconfirmed by the Faculty itself (My Notary Public). Petition involves court fees advised by Supreme Court Registrar (Institute of Notarial Studies).

Application fees

The €90 figure comes from unofficial sources and lacks Faculty confirmation (My Notary Public). Unofficial sources also mention insurance of at least €1 million, but this is not corroborated by official Faculty sources (My Notary Public). Admission to Roll of Solicitors requires application form, statutory declaration by training solicitor, €370 fee (LawCareers.Net).

Service costs

Notary fees are not regulated by the Faculty—individual notaries set rates for notarising documents, administering oaths, and certifying copies (PJF Solicitors). Clients typically pay per document or per transaction, and geographic location affects going rates.

Before becoming a notary: qualifying as a solicitor

Since the notary prerequisite is solicitor or barrister status, those who aren’t yet solicitors need to qualify first. To become a solicitor in Ireland: start with the Preliminary Exam if you’re not a graduate, then pass the FE-1 (eight papers, minimum 50% in each, up to three attempts, age 21+), complete the Professional Practice Course (continuous assessment and final exams), secure a two-year training contract with an accredited solicitor, and apply for admission to the Roll (LawCareers.Net).

• Preliminary Examination for non-graduates held once a year, usually March (Becoming a Solicitor Brochure)
• FE-1 held twice yearly, spring and autumn, for those with level 7 degree or equivalent (LawCareers.Net)
• FE-1 requires at least 50% in each of 8 papers in one sitting, up to 3 attempts, age 21+ (Indeed)
• Solicitor training includes securing 2-year contract with accredited solicitor after FE-1 (Indeed)
• PPC involves continuous assessment and final exams (Indeed)
• Admission to Roll of Solicitors requires application form, statutory declaration by training solicitor, €370 fee (LawCareers.Net)

The clarity section

Based on the research, here is what the sources confirm and what remains uncertain:

Quotes

Success at the Diploma/Faculty Examination does not guarantee appointment as a Notary Public.

— Institute of Notarial Studies (Official Course Provider)

The Chief Justice decides on petitions for appointment and who should or should not be appointed.

— Institute of Notarial Studies (Official Course Provider)

A notary public must be a practising solicitor of at least six years standing.

— Justice NI (Government Department)

Summary

For solicitors already in practice, the notary route is structured and navigable—three stages, a Faculty exam, a course that runs one academic year, and a petition to the Chief Justice. The five-year post-qualification bar is the first gate; passing the Faculty examination is the second; the petition is where many candidates stumble because it demands a separate court process with fees the Registrar sets individually. Northern Ireland shows a simpler model: six years solicitor standing without a course requirement—but that jurisdiction follows its own court rules. For those who aren’t yet solicitors, the path adds several years upfront, starting with the FE-1 exam and ending with a two-year training contract before the notary qualification becomes reachable. Early planning is the only shortcut that works here.

Related reading: Why Do Squatters Have Rights – Key Facts for Property Owners · How to Find Mean – Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Qualified notaries in Ireland routinely witness and authenticate affidavits sworn under oath, essential for legal evidence and proceedings.

Frequently asked questions