Certified and authenticated copies
Authenticated or certified copies are official copies of documents. They bear the seal of the National Archives and are signed by the Director or an authorised member of staff. Members of the public can request a certified or authenticated copy of certain documents.
A certified or authenticated copy from the National Archives will include:
- An official document copy bearing the seal of the National Archives and signed by the Director or an authorised member of staff
- A cover letter that identifies it as a copy of a document held in the National Archives and specifies the number of sheets of paper on which the copy is made
- A seal of authentication issued by the National Archives
How to order certified copies
You can request a certified copy of a testamentary document by email, post or in person at the National Archives.
Order certified copies online
Visit our Contact page to order online
Order certified copies by post
Complete the certified copy of testamentary document order form with the following details:
- Name of the deceased
- Address of the deceased
- Date of death
- Grant date
- Issuing registry
Download a Certified Testamentary Copy Order Form (PDF)
Return the form, along with the fee to our postal address:
The National Archives,
Bishop Street,
Dublin 8,
D08 DF85,
Ireland
Order in person
You can order certified copies of testamentary documents at the Reading Room counter. Our staff will help you to complete the form.
Verification and certification process
This process ensures that the certified copies you receive are accurate and legally recognised.
- Our staff locate the document you requested based on the reference code
- They will verify the document’s condition to ensure it can be safely copied and certified
They make a high-quality copy of the document. It is then certified by an authorised staff member. This involves:
- Stamping the copy with the official seal of the National Archives
- Signing the copy to attest that it is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document
- Adding any necessary annotations or details required for legal certification
National Archives authorised officers
Delivery
If you requested the certified copy in person, you can collect it from the archives once it is ready.
If you requested the certified copy by email, it will be posted to you. Ensure you provide the correct mailing address.
Fees for scheduled copies
The fees for obtaining copies of testamentary documents, court files and related records are outlined below. All prices include the cost of copying, certification (if applicable) and processing.
Where relevant, please make out a cheque or postal order in euro to the National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.
See National Archives Fees Regulations 2012 (PDF) for a full list of all fees.
Testamentary documents
| Document Type | Copy Fee | Certified Copy Fee |
| Will (up to 5 pages) | €15 | €30 |
| Grant of Probate | €15 | €20 |
| Grant of Administration | €15 | €20 |
| Schedule of Assets | See Fees Order | €40 |
General copying services (A4/ A3)
| Number of Pages | Fee |
| 1–5 pages | €15 |
| 6–10 pages | €20 |
| 11–20 pages | €30 |
| 21–30 pages | €40 |
| 31–40 pages | €50 |
| 41–50 pages | €60 |
| Additional pages (per page) | €1 |
Court files and records
| Service | Fee |
| Court file or extract (1–5 pages) | €50 |
| Census extract (per page) | €30 |
| Testamentary calendar extract (per page) | €20 |
| Record up to 5 pages (other than above) | €30 |
| Additional pages (other than above) | €5 per page |
Photography and reproduction services
| Service | Fee |
| A4 print on 120 gsm matt | €40 |
| A3 print on 120 gsm matt | €50 |
| A4 digital image | €35 |
| A3 digital image | €45 |
| A2 digital image | €55 |
| A1 digital image | €65 |
| A0 digital image | €75 |
Licensing and permissions
| Service | Fee |
| Permission to produce a record in print, on television, or online | €65 |
| Reproduction license fee | €65 |
| License to distribute a copy of a record for up to 7 years | €200 |