Certification of documents

When you make an application, you will need to provide a certified copy of photo ID, and other relevant documents, in some cases.

A certified copy of an original document is a photocopy that has been signed by an authorised person.

If you live in Ireland, your witness should be one of the following:

• Accountant

• Bank Manager or Assistant Bank Manager

• Chartered Engineer

• Credit Union Manager or Assistant Manager

• Dentist

• Elected public representative

• Head of Prison Service/Head Prison Warden

• Lecturer

• Medical Doctor

• Member of the clergy

• Member of An Garda Síochána

• Notary public/commissioner for oaths

• Nurse

• Peace commissioner

• Pharmacist

• Physiotherapist

• Registered Counsellor

• Social Worker

• Solicitor

• Speech Therapist

• Teacher

• Vet

If you live in the United Kingdom, your witness should be one of the following:

• Bank or Building Society Official

• Chartered Accountant

• Councillor

• Dentist

• Lecturer

• Minister of Religion

• Solicitor or Notary

• Teacher

The Irish Centres which are listed below also have staff available who can certify documents.

If you live in Britain, you can contact one of the Irish Centres below to have your documents certified for the purpose of the Payment Scheme.

The below list contains information on having documents certified in other countries. If the country you live in is not listed, and you are unsure how to have a document certified, please contact the Payment Scheme Office by phone at +353 1 522 9992 (Monday to Friday 09:00- 18:00 GMT).

• Australia: The Department of Justice and Community Safety has full details on its website.

• Canada: Global Affairs Canada had information on its website.

• France: In France, you can contact a town hall, a prefecture or a notary for certification. Full information is available here.

• Germany: In Germany you can have your documents certified by a notary. A list of notaries is available here.

• New Zealand: The Ministry of Justice website contains information on how to get a document certified.

• Poland: Information on certification of documents is available from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

• South Africa: The South African Department of International Trade and Cooperation may certify South African documents. Full details are available here.

• Spain: In Spain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has information on how to have a document certified here.

• United States of America: In the USA, you can use a notary public to certify your documents.

A searchable list of notaries is available here.