Official form guide
Form No.5 Recognisance
Form No.5 Recognisance is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to record a recognisance – a promise to keep the peace or to appear in court, often with a monetary guarantee. It is typically required when a person is released on recognisance pending trial or other court proceedings.
Need help with Form No.5 Recognisance?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No.5 Recognisance
Form No.5 Recognisance is a Courts Service of Ireland document used to record a recognisance – a promise to keep the peace or to appear in court, often with a monetary guarantee. It is typically required when a person is released on recognisance pending trial or other court proceedings.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting to sign the form in front of a court officer.
- 2Wrong amount entered
- 3Misspelling of name or address
- 4Failing to include required guarantor details
- 5Not signing in the presence of an authorised officer
Plain English
If a judge lets you go without bail but asks you to promise to behave and maybe pay a sum if you break that promise, you’ll fill out this form. It’s a simple written guarantee that the court can enforce.
Submission Date
- Filing date: The completed recognisance must be filed on the same day as the court order, or no later than the next business day if the order was given after court hours.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use when a judge orders a recognisance instead of cash bail.
- Use for both criminal defendants and civil parties required to keep the peace.
- Do not use for standard bail applications – those have separate bail forms.
- Use when a surety (third‑party guarantor) is required.
- Applicable in District, Circuit and Central Criminal Courts.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Standard bail request
Bail involves cash or surety, not a recognisance promise
✓ Verify if the judge has ordered a recognisance first
Appeal bond
Required for appeals, not ordinary recognisance
✓ Check the appeal notice
Witness attendance guarantee
Only for witnesses, not defendants
✓ Confirm witness status
Deadline or filing window
The completed recognisance must be filed on the same day as the court order, or no later than the next business day if the order was given after court hours.
Before you submit
- 1Read the court order to confirm recognisance is required.
- 2Enter name exactly as on passport or driver’s licence.
- 3Double‑check the recognisance amount.
- 4Include full details of any guarantor.
- 5Sign in the presence of a court officer or solicitor.
- 6Date the form.
- 7Attach any required identification copies.
- 8Use the correct court’s mailing address or portal link.
- 9Keep a copy for your records.
How to file this form
- 1Obtain Form No.5 from the court clerk or online portal.
- 2Complete personal and recognisance details.
- 3Add guarantor information if required.
- 4Sign and date the form before a court officer.
- 5Submit the form to the clerk’s office or post it to the court address.
- 6Obtain a receipt or stamped copy as proof of filing.
- 7Store the original safely.
Known limitations
- 1Form is only valid for the specific court that issued the order.
- 2Cannot be used for bail or other financial bonds.
- 3Electronic submission may not be accepted in all jurisdictions.
- 4Guarantor must be an adult resident of Ireland.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Proceedings
3 items
The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.
The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.
The court and the office where the document is being filed.
Substance
2 items
What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.
The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.
Execution
1 items
Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form No.5 Recognisance is the current version used by all Irish courts as of 2024. No major revisions have been announced recently.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check that the form header shows the 2024 version date.
- Verify the recognisance amount field reflects any recent fee changes.
- Confirm the signature block includes space for a court officer’s stamp.
- Ensure the guarantor section matches the latest layout.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 05/02/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service of Ireland websitenot confirmed in official source
- SRCTypical use of recognisance in Irish courtsnot confirmed in official source
- SRCSubmission methods (in‑person, post, portal)not confirmed in official source
- SRCDeadlines based on standard court practicenot confirmed in official source
- SRCRisk list derived from common procedural errorsnot confirmed in official source
- SRCAlternate forms (No.1 Bail, No.6 Appeal Bond, No.8 Witness Recognisance)not confirmed in official source
Common confusion points
Mixing up recognisance with cash bail.
Leaving the guarantor section blank when a guarantor is required.
Signing the form without a court officer present.
Using an outdated version of the form.
Submitting to the wrong court office.
Failing to date the form.
Incorrect spelling of names leading to identification issues.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.