Signing a statutory declaration outside of Ireland

If a landlord lives outside of Ireland, they can make a statutory declaration but they will need to take some extra steps to prove their document has been signed and witnessed correctly. What you need to do will depend on where you live.

EC Convention Countries: 

France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia and Latvia
  • You can make a declaration before any person authorised under the law of that country to administer oaths.
  • You do not need to get an apostille or official stamp in these countries.
Hague Convention Countries:

Including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States
  • You can make a declaration before any person authorised under the law of that country to administer oaths.
  • You will also need to get a certificate called an apostille stamped onto or attached to your declaration.
  • Each country has a ‘designated competent authority’ that will provide you with the apostille.
  • You can see the full list of Hague Convention Countries and find out where to get an apostille on the Hague Convention website.
Other countries outside the Hague and EC Conventions
  • You can make a declaration before any person authorised under the law of that country to administer oaths.
  • But you will also need to authenticate in accordance with the laws of that country:
    • Your signature as the person making the declaration.
    • The capacity you have made the declaration in.
    • The seal or stamp of the person who has administered the oath.
  • You may be asked to provide proof of the requirements for making a statutory declaration under law in that country at an RTB hearing.
Countries with an Irish embassy or consulate
  • There may also be an option to sign a statutory declaration at an Irish embassy or Consulate if there is one in the country where you are based.
  • You will need to contact the Embassy or Consulate to check if they offer this service, how to make an appointment and if there is a fee.
  •  Where the services of a solicitor, notary public or public official authorised to take statutory declarations are available in the relevant country, an Embassy or Consulate  will generally direct you to those services instead.
  • You can find a full list of Irish Embassies and Consulates around the world on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website.