This segment will provide an overview of the avenues through which to apply for Irish citizenship and in doing so, answer the question: can Irish citizenship be applied for at the Irish Consulate or Embassy?
What is an Irish consulate and embassy?
Irish consulates and embassies abroad promote, and protect the values, interests and well-being of Irish citizens in that country. Their function is to offer support to Irish citizens and their families, and this ranges from diplomatic assitance to application support with travel documents such as passports.
What is not in the remit of an Irish consulate and embassy?
Irish consulates and embassies do not serve the function of processing Irish citizen applications. The pathways through which this is done, as we shall now explore, is through either Irish citizenship by descent, or naturalization. And neither of these routes involve applying consulates or embassies.
Irish consulates and embassies abroad have no role in citizenship by descent application. These are the responsibility of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.
It is important to note that in terms of all applications for citizenship made by naturalization, it is the Irish Minister for Justice who has absolute authority to waive, or not, and grant or deny requests.
What is Irish citizenship by descent?
Citizenship by descent is for individuals who have Irish ancestors. In order to qualify for Irish citizenship by descent you must have a parent (born outside of Ireland), who was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, or and Irish-born grandparent.
If you qualify, you will need to submit an application to have your details recorded and entered into the Foreign Births Register (FBR).
Once approved, you are officially recognized as an Irish citizen (on the date of your FBR registration), and are then able to apply for an Irish passport.
How do I make an application for Irish citizenship by descent?
Applications for Irish citizenship by descent are done by completing the online form, which is on the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) homepage. Following this, a printed copy of your application must be sent, along with your supporting documents, photographs, and checklist to the Foreign Births Registration Department. The address will be clearly shown on the application forms
Irish citizenship applications made via naturalization
The are different categories that fall under the branch of citizenship by naturalization, these are: citizenship by association, marriage or residency.
As with Irish citizenship by descent applications, Irish consulates and embassies are not resposbile for managing and processing these. It is the Citizenship Division of the Department of Justice, that is responsible for processing citizenship by naturalization applications, which can be found on their home webpage.
Irish citizenship by association applications
Irish citizenship by association is for individuals who have an Irish-born great-grandparent, but are not eligible to apply for citizenship by descent via an FBR application because their parent was not registered on the FBR when they were born.
To qualify for citizenship by association, it is expected that you meet the eligibility criteria that states you have been residing legally in Ireland for a minimum of at 3 years. If you do not meet this residency criteria, you must instead show you have very strong ties and links to Ireland, such as family, or business relationships you have in Ireland, travel you make to Ireland for work purposes or leisure, any future intention to reside in Ireland, as well as any Irish associations or culture groups you are a part of, and 3 references from people who know you in Ireland.
If you want to know about Irish citizenship by association applications, you can learn more here in our related article.
Citizenship by marriage
You can apply for Irish citizenship by marriage if you are the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen, and have been married or in a civil partnership for three years, plus three years residing legally in Ireland.
Application are made online via the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) portal. Irish consulates and embassies do not process these applications.
Am I required to travel to Ireland?
In respect of all citizenship by naturalization applications, once citizenship is granted, you will be required to attend a citizenship ceremony in Ireland where you will take the oath of fidelity. It is following this and the issuance of your certificate of naturalization that you are officially recognized as an Irish citizen, and then apply for your Irish passport- LINK.
Summary
This segment has highlighted that Irish consulate and embassies do not process citizenship by descent or naturalization applications, and has outlined and explained how they are made.
If you are interested in applying for Irish citizenship, or would like more information, you can contact us directly and one of our friendly team will be in touch to respond to your queries.
