The allure of Ireland is evident. Its enchanting landscapes, rich culture, and warm people, make Ireland an appealing prospect.
If you have a claim to Irish citizenship, and you would like to reclaim and reconnect with your past and heritage, pursuing Irish citizenship is an obvious first step.
Irish citizenship also offers an abundance of benefits and advantages to those seeking dual citizenship, it means you can apply an Irish passport, and as a citizen of Europe gives the right to live and work anywhere in Ireland and Europe in the absence of visa and time restrictions.
Who qualifies for Irish citizenship?
If you were not born in Ireland, you may still be able to apply for Irish citizenship. You can become an Irish citizen if one one of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, although not born in Ireland, or if one of your grandparents was Irish-born.
If the above applies to you, you can claim recognition of your Irish citizenship through the Foreign Births Register, which is for those who are eligible for citizenship by descent.
Once you have successfully applied and registered on the FBR, you are officially an Irish citizen, and can then apply for an Irish passport.
If you are an expectant parent and wish to enter your child onto the FBR, you must ensure that you have registered your details before your child is born, otherwise they will not be eligible to apply through citizenship by descent.
Process of applying
If you are applying to enter your details on the Foreign Birth Register, you will first need to retrieve all of the relevant documentation in the orginal that shows your direct line of descent from your Irish ancestor to you. This will include birth, marriage, death certificates, and other identification that will be requested and clearly marked within the application guidance. There will be variations in what documents you need to send, depending on the category under which you apply, and so it is always advised to refer to the application guidelines to avoid errors, which would delay your application.
Your documents will be returned to you at the end of the process. It is not neccesary to include a pre-paid envelope, as your vital records will be sent by recorded delivery, which you will need to sign for upon receipt.
The next step is to complete the online application form and then print a copy of your application and make online payment. You will also need a witness (professional you know, but not a family member) to certify the documents and photos.
You will then need to send the application form, along with all supporting documents, photos, and checklist to the PO Box address in Ireland. Please note that all applications made for citizenship by descent must be completed online and then sent to the Foreign Births Registration department in Ireland, the address will be clearly marked on the application form.
Irish embassies and consulates are not responsible for processing citizenship by descent applications, and so if you are applying from abroad it is important to remember to follow the instructions provided within the guidance.
What is the fee?
The fee of registration plus certificate for adults (over 18) is €270, plus a €8 non-refundable postage and handling fee.
For minors (under 18) the fee of registration plus certificate is €145, and the postage and handling fee of €8.
How long does it take?
The Foreign Birth Registration department is responsible for reviewing applications, and take on average 9 months to process. Of course, any errors or discrepencies will cause delays.
What happens next?
Once your application has been successful, your details will be entered in the Foreign Births Register and you will be emailed your official Irish Birth Registration (FBR). Once registered in the FBR, you are officially an Irish citizen and can apply for an Irish passport.
This article has explored the process and timesframe in respect of Irish citizenship by descent applications, hopefully providing a useful overview of the pathway to obtaining Irish citizenship by descent.
If you would like to apply for Irish citizenship, or are interested in finding out more about our services and how we can help, you can contact us directly and one of our friendly advisors will be in touch to respond to your queries.
