Notarising Academic Transcripts for Foreign Universities

If you are applying to a university abroad or need your Irish qualifications recognised internationally, your transcripts and degree certificates will likely need to be notarised. Foreign universities and credential evaluation services frequently require notarised copies of academic documents.

Overview

Irish universities — UCC, UCD, Trinity College Dublin, and the Technological Universities — issue academic transcripts recognised worldwide. When submitted to foreign institutions, they often require authentication through notarisation and apostille.

When Notarisation Is Required

• Foreign university applications: Postgraduate, PhD, and exchange programmes
• Credential evaluation: WES, NACES members, or country-specific equivalence services
• Professional registration abroad: Some bodies accept qualifications only when notarised
• Immigration applications: Points-based systems in Canada, Australia, etc.
• Employment abroad: Overseas employers requiring authenticated proof
• Scholarship applications: International scholarships requiring authenticated records

Documents That Can Be Notarised

• Academic transcripts with modules, grades, and credit hours
• Degree certificates (bachelor's, master's, doctorate)
• European Diploma Supplement
• Professional diplomas and certificates
• Leaving Certificate results
• QQI/FETAC certificates

Notarisation Process

Bring original documents to Hugh Phelan's office. The notary compares copies to originals, certifies them as true copies, and affixes the official seal. Multiple documents can be handled in one appointment. Office: East Douglas Street, Douglas, Cork. Phone: (021) 489 7134.

Apostille

After notarisation, documents for Hague Convention countries need an apostille from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Some academic documents may be apostilled directly, but many foreign authorities specifically require notarisation as an additional step. See our apostille services page.

Tips for Students

• Request sealed transcripts from your university well in advance
• Keep original degree certificates safe — never post originals abroad
• Check the receiving institution's specific requirements
• Allow 2–3 weeks for notarisation and apostille

Credential Evaluation Services

Many countries use credential evaluation services to assess the equivalence of foreign academic qualifications. In the United States, organisations such as World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and members of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) provide these evaluations. In Canada, WES and other designated organisations evaluate foreign credentials for immigration and professional licensing purposes.

These evaluation services typically require notarised copies of your degree certificate and academic transcript, along with an apostille. Some accept documents sent directly from the issuing institution, but many require the applicant to submit notarised copies as well. Check the specific requirements of the evaluation service you are using.

Immigration Points Systems

Countries with points-based immigration systems — such as Canada (Express Entry), Australia (General Skilled Migration), and New Zealand — award points for educational qualifications. To claim these points, applicants must submit authenticated proof of their qualifications. Notarised and apostilled copies of Irish degrees and transcripts satisfy the document authentication requirements for these immigration programmes.

The authentication requirements for immigration can be more stringent than for university applications. Immigration authorities may require every page of a transcript to be individually certified, or may require the notarial certificate to include specific wording. Check the immigration authority's document requirements carefully.

Postgraduate Applications

If you are applying to a postgraduate programme at a foreign university, the admissions office will specify their documentary requirements. Some universities accept digital transcripts sent directly from the Irish institution, while others require hard-copy notarised and apostilled documents. For competitive programmes, having properly authenticated documents ready in advance can help meet tight application deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions