Ireland and India are both Apostille Convention parties. Irish documents are notarised where needed and apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs for use in India. Indian documents are verified at state level and apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs for use in Ireland. No embassy attestation is required between the two countries for most documents.
- Document route
- Irish notary public, then apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs
- Time difference
- IST is 4h30 (Irish summer time) to 5h30 (winter) ahead
- Treaty
- Hague Apostille Convention 1961
- Indian authority
- Ministry of External Affairs
Apostille & Attestation from Ireland: how it works
For Indian documents needed in Ireland, such as degree certificates for professional registration with Irish bodies or birth and marriage certificates for immigration, we arrange state verification through the education or home department and then the MEA apostille via authorised agencies. Professional bodies in Ireland, for example in health care, may have their own verification requirements alongside the apostille, so we check what they require.
For Irish documents needed in India, you sign or obtain the document in Ireland, have it notarised if it is a private document, and send it to the Department of Foreign Affairs for apostille. We then use it in India for property, banking or court purposes. Translation is rarely an issue as both sides work in English, but certified copies must be complete and legible. Where a document will be used for several purposes in India, such as a bank and a sub-registrar, we suggest apostilling more than one original or certified copy at the same time to avoid a second round.
What clients in Ireland should know
- Irish professional regulators may require primary source verification of Indian qualifications in addition to an apostille.
- Indian educational documents usually need state education department verification before the MEA will apostille them.
- Keep apostilled copies of key documents, since the same certificate is often needed for several Irish applications.
Step by step from Ireland
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Ireland, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Ireland
Irish notary public, then apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Ireland where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Ireland. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Apostille & Attestation, or see all services for clients in Ireland and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Ireland
How long does an MEA apostille take?
Commonly a couple of weeks, depending on the state verification step.
Can I apostille Irish documents myself?
Yes, you can apply directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs after any required notarisation.
Does an apostille ever expire?
No, but receiving authorities in Ireland or India may ask for documents issued within the last few months, so check before you apply.