For use in Ireland, a Maryland document needs an apostille and nothing more: no embassy, no consulate. How you get it depends on who signed the document.
Ireland has applied the convention since March 9, 1999. Offices there that receive foreign documents, such as civil registries, courts, universities and consulates, check for the apostille rather than an embassy stamp.
The apostille only confirms the signature and seal on your document. Each office in Ireland still sets its own rules about how recent the document must be and whether it needs a translation into English.
Vital records for Ireland
- Certified copySigned and sealed by a Maryland official
- Maryland Secretary of State16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · $5 per document
- Apostille attachedValid in every Hague Convention country
Notarized documents for Ireland
- Sign before a Maryland notaryThe notary's stamp names their county.
- Clerk of the Circuit Court (notary’s county)Authenticates the notary · about $1 per document
- Maryland Secretary of State16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · $5 per document
- Apostille attachedValid in every Hague Convention country
Cost for Ireland
| Option | Per document |
|---|---|
| Vital record, you mail it yourself | $5 |
| Any Maryland document, we file it | $50 |
| Notarized, we handle the clerk too | $50 + $1 |
| Federal (FBI check) | $57 |
Ireland: common questions
Is a Maryland apostille accepted in Ireland?
For use in Ireland, a Maryland document needs an apostille and nothing more: no embassy, no consulate. How you get it depends on who signed the document.
Do I need a translation for Ireland?
Often. Official business in Ireland is conducted in English and Irish. If your document is in English, the receiving office may ask for a certified translation into English, usually made after the apostille is attached.
Can I apostille a birth certificate for Ireland myself?
Yes. A certified Maryland birth certificate goes straight to the Secretary of State with a $5 fee. Our free guide explains each step.
What if my document for Ireland is notarized?
Then the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the notary's county must authenticate it first. We handle both offices for you.