Comprehensive notarial services for individuals, businesses, and international clients in Cork.
Hugh Phelan provides a full range of notary public services from his offices in Douglas, Co. Cork. Whether you need a single document notarised or require ongoing corporate notarial support, we deliver professional, efficient service.
Document notarisation is the core service provided by a Notary Public. Hugh Phelan authenticates documents for use in foreign jurisdictions by witnessing signatures, verifying identities, and attaching his official notarial seal and certificate.
Notarised documents are recognised internationally and are often required for:
Bring Your Documents
Original documents plus valid photo ID (passport or driving licence)
Identity Verification
Hugh verifies your identity and the authenticity of documents
Notarial Act
Documents are signed, sealed, and a notarial certificate is attached
Ready for Use
Documents are ready for use abroad or for apostille if required
An apostille is a form of international certification under the Hague Apostille Convention (1961). Ireland is a signatory, and apostilles are issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.
Hugh Phelan assists clients throughout the apostille process, from initial document notarisation through to advising on Department of Foreign Affairs requirements. Many documents require notarisation before an apostille can be obtained.
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorises another person to act on your behalf. When the POA is to be used in a foreign jurisdiction, it typically must be notarised by a Notary Public.
Hugh Phelan notarises all types of powers of attorney for use abroad:
Many foreign jurisdictions have specific formatting requirements for powers of attorney. Always check with the receiving authority or your foreign lawyer before having the document prepared.
Some countries require the POA to be in the local language or accompanied by a certified translation.
An apostille may be required in addition to notarisation, depending on the destination country.
A statutory declaration is a written statement of fact that is declared to be true before an authorised person. An affidavit is a similar sworn statement used in court proceedings. Hugh Phelan can witness and notarise both for domestic and international use.
As a practising solicitor, Hugh Phelan also acts as a Commissioner for Oaths — authorised to witness sworn statements for domestic use within Ireland. This is a more affordable option when documents are not required for international use.
Notary vs Commissioner comparisonWhen a foreign authority, embassy, or institution requires a certified copy of an original document, a Notary Public can create an officially certified true copy that is recognised internationally.
Commonly certified documents include:
A notarially certified copy carries the Notary Public's seal and certificate, confirming that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document. This level of certification is often required where a simple solicitor-certified copy is not sufficient — particularly for documents being sent abroad.
Always bring the original document to your appointment. Copies cannot be certified from other copies.
For documents destined for countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention, a more complex legalisation process is required. This typically involves notarisation, followed by authentication by the Department of Foreign Affairs, and then legalisation by the relevant embassy or consulate.
Hugh Phelan guides clients through the full legalisation chain and ensures documents are correctly prepared at each stage.
Not sure which applies? Contact us and we'll advise on the correct process for your destination country.
Hugh Phelan provides specialised notarial services for businesses and corporate clients. His over 20 years of corporate management experience complements his legal expertise, ensuring that he understands the commercial context of every corporate notarial engagement.
Hugh regularly works with Cork-based businesses engaged in international trade, foreign investment, and cross-border transactions. He understands the time pressures of commercial matters and offers flexible scheduling to accommodate business needs.
For ongoing corporate notarial requirements, contact us to discuss tailored arrangements.
Cork is one of Ireland's busiest ports, and Hugh Phelan provides maritime notarial services including the preparation and witnessing of ship protests (also known as sea protests or notes of protest).
A ship protest is a formal declaration made by a ship's master before a Notary Public to record extraordinary events during a voyage — such as heavy weather, cargo damage, or equipment failure — to protect the interests of the shipowner and insurers.
As a Notary Public located near the Port of Cork, Hugh is conveniently positioned to attend to the maritime notarial needs of vessels arriving at or departing from Cork Harbour — one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
Urgent maritime matters can be accommodated outside normal business hours. Contact the urgent line: +353-86-390-7815
Contact Hugh Phelan's office for prompt, professional notary services in Cork.