Apostille for Ireland · California Documents
Apostille for Ireland from California
Ireland has been a Hague Convention member since 1999 — a California apostille is accepted for Foreign Births Register applications, marriage in Ireland, and immigration filings.
Documents we apostille for Ireland
Birth certificate
Long-form certified copy required for Foreign Births Register (FBR) applications — short-form is typically rejected.
Marriage certificate
Apostilled for marriage notification filings in Ireland and FBR spousal documentation.
FBI background check
Federal route via U.S. Dept of State — not California SOS. May be required for certain Irish immigration pathways.
Diploma & transcripts
For QQI recognition and academic credential filings at Irish institutions.
Power of attorney
Notarized in California, apostilled for property and legal matters before Irish authorities.
Divorce decree
Apostilled for marital status documentation in Irish civil registration.
How the Ireland apostille works
- Document check ($45, credited). We verify your document is California-issued, long-form (where required), and Ireland-ready before any Secretary of State fee is paid.
- Sacramento filing. Couriered to the California Secretary of State — mail-in or same-day in person depending on your timeline.
- Ireland routing. The Apostille Convention entered into force for Ireland on 9 March 1999. California apostilles are accepted by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs for FBR applications and civil registration.
- Returned tracked. Apostilled document returned by tracked carrier with status updates throughout.
Ireland apostille — FAQ
Does Ireland accept California apostilles?
Yes. Ireland has been a Hague Convention member since 1999 and accepts apostilles from any other member, including the California Secretary of State.
What is the Foreign Births Register?
The FBR is Ireland’s pathway for citizenship by descent. Eligibility typically requires an Irish-born grandparent (or a parent registered on the FBR). Apostilled California birth certificates are required for lineage documentation.
Which California vital records do I need for an FBR application?
Typically: long-form California birth certificate of the applicant (apostilled), long-form California birth certificate of the parent (apostilled), and the Irish-born grandparent’s birth certificate from Ireland. Long-form copies including parents’ names are strongly preferred.
Do I need an FBI background check apostille for any Irish process?
Not a standard FBR requirement. FBI checks are federal documents authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, not California SOS.
Status and requirements for Ireland verified against the HCCH Apostille Section status table (hcch.net) as of 2026-06-19. Not legal advice.
Related routes & tools
Document Check — $45
Credited 100% to your apostille service.
Pricing & state fees
$20 + $6 SOS fees and service ranges.
How it works
The full California apostille process.
Processing times
Direct from SOS published timelines.
Same-day filing
In-person Sacramento counter.
Apostille by mail
When timing is flexible.
Sacramento SOS counter
Address, hours, payment, walk-in.
Which documents qualify
Eligible California document types.
Birth certificate
Most common citizenship document.
Marriage certificate
For spousal and civil filings.
Diploma & transcripts
Credential recognition abroad.
Power of attorney
Property and legal matters abroad.
Federal / FBI route
U.S. Dept of State authentication.
Non-Hague legalization
Consular route when apostille won’t work.
All countries
Destination routing hub.
Apostille guide
The full pillar overview.
Talk to a specialist
Phone, email, form.