Irish Citizenship by Descent

Who qualifies for Irish citizenship by descent?

If you or your parents were born on the island of Ireland before 2005, you are an Irish citizen, and you can apply for an Irish passport without making an application for citizenship. However, if you or your parents were born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005, your eligibility for Irish citizenship is contingent upon the citizenship status of your parents at the time of your birth and the residency history of one of the parents before your birth.

Eligibility criteria for claiming Irish citizenship by Descent

Born in Ireland before 1 January 2005

If you were born in Ireland before the 1st January 2005, you are automatically an Irish citizen regardless of your parents’ or grandparents’ Irish citizenship status.

If you were born in Northern Ireland before the 1st January 2005, you will also be entitled to claim Irish citizenship.

Born in Ireland after 31 December 2004

If you were born in Ireland after the 31st December 2004, your entitlement to Irish citizenship depends on the circumstances of your parents.

If one of your parents was an Irish or UK citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically an Irish citizen.

If neither of your parents were Irish or UK citizens, you can become an Irish citizen if one of your parents:

• Lived in Ireland or Northern Ireland for 3 out of the 4 years before you were born, or:
• Have the right to live in Ireland or Northern Ireland without any restriction on their period of residence

Irish Citizen Parent Born Outside of Ireland

If you were born outside of Ireland and your parent (who was also born outside of Ireland) was an Irish citizen or entitled to be an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, then you are entitled to become an Irish citizen.

In order to become an Irish citizen, you must have your birth registered in the Foreign Births Register.

Citizenship Through Descent from Irish Grandparent

If one of your grandparents was born in Ireland but neither of your parents were, you might be able to register in the Foreign Births Register to become an Irish citizen.

The below table sets out example cases where this may be the case:

Irish Citizenship by Adoption

Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, if a child who is not an Irish citizen is adopted by an Irish citizen or a couple where either spouse is an Irish citizen, then the adopted child will be an Irish citizen.

If the adoption takes place abroad, then it should be registered in the Register of Intercountry Adoptions for the child to be eligible.

Other Irish Ancestors

Unless at least one parent or an Irish-born grandparent was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, individuals have no automatic right to Irish citizenship on the basis of any other extended family members.

You also cannot claim Irish citizenship on the basis that a relation such as a cousin, aunt or uncle was an Irish citizen if none of your parents or grandparents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth.

However, you may be able to apply for citizenship through association, which means you are related to blood or adoption to an Irish citizen.

All cases of citizenship by association are at the discretion of the Minister and have their own special set of criteria that applicants must follow.

Irish Citizenship Through Special Declaration

Certain individuals may become an Irish citizen through making a special declaration. These include the following:

• A person born on the island of Ireland between 2 December 1999 and 31 December 2004 to a foreign national who at the time of that person’s birth was entitled to diplomatic immunity within the State (for example, a foreign ambassador)
• A person between 2 December 1999 and 31 December 2004 born in Irish sea or air space to a foreign national on a foreign ship or in a foreign aircraft
• A person born on the island of Ireland who has made a declaration of alienage under Section 21 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (that is, a person who has declared that they are no longer an Irish citizen) – this person can regain citizenship by making a declaration

Forms for making a special declaration can be obtained from the Immigration Service Delivery or from an Irish embassy or consulate.

Documentation for Irish Citizenship by Descent

The specific documents you need will depend on your unique circumstances and the route you are using. Commonly required documents may include:

• Birth certificates (yours and, if applicable, your parents’ and grandparents’).
• Marriage certificates.
• Passport copies.
• Proof of residency history (if required).
• Adoption papers (for those claiming citizenship through adoption).
• Any additional documents requested by the Irish authorities.
• Complete Application Forms: You can typically find these forms on the website of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or at the nearest Irish embassy or consulate. Carefully fill out the forms, providing accurate and complete information.

How to get Irish citizenship by descent from the UK

The steps to apply for Irish citizenship by descent are as follows:

1. Determine your eligibility in accordance to Irish nationality law. Determine how you may be eligible for Irish citizenship and through which of your relatives this may be the case.
2. Gather your supporting documentation that proves your eligibility for citizenship, as well as other necessary supporting documents.
3. Fill in the online application form and ensure it is witnessed by a person who is not a relative and works in one of the eligible professions.
4. Submit your application and follow the steps on how to submit your supporting documentation.
5. Wait for your application to be processed and wait to hear back on a decision.

Cost of Irish Citizenship by Descent Application

The cost of applying for Irish citizenship by descent can vary depending on several factors, including the specific route you’re taking, where you apply, and any additional services you may require. The primary cost associated with the application is the application fee itself. The fee for an adult Irish citizenship application is €175.

Foreign Birth Registration in Ireland

Foreign Birth Registration is a vital process for individuals born outside of Ireland who wish to claim Irish citizenship by descent. This procedure allows those with Irish ancestry to officially register as Irish citizens, providing them with the rights, privileges, and opportunities that come with Irish citizenship. In this section, we will delve into the process of Foreign Birth Registration, including step-by-step instructions and the necessary requirements.

The Process of Foreign Birth Registration in Ireland

Foreign Birth Registration involves a series of steps that require careful attention to detail. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

1. Determine Eligibility: Before beginning the FBR process, it’s crucial to confirm your eligibility. To qualify, you must be able to prove that you have an Irish-born grandparent or parent who was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth. This typically requires providing detailed documentation, including birth certificates and other relevant records.
2. Gather Required Documentation: To initiate the FBR process, you’ll need to collect various documents, which can include but are not limited to:

• Your Birth Certificate: Your birth certificate, issued by the relevant authorities in your country of birth, is essential to prove your identity and place of birth.
• Parent’s or Grandparent’s Irish Documents: To establish the Irish connection, you will need documents such as your parent’s or grandparent’s birth certificate, Irish passport, or other proof of their Irish citizenship.
• Marriage and Divorce Certificates: In some cases, you may be required to provide marriage and divorce certificates for your parents or grandparents to prove the lineage.

3. Obtain Translations and Apostilles: If your documents are not in English or Irish, you will need to have them translated by a certified translator. Additionally, some countries require an apostille or equivalent certification to verify the authenticity of foreign documents.
4. Submit Your Application: Prepare a complete application package, including all required documents, translations, and any fees. Ensure that your application is filled out accurately and that all documents are in order.
5. Await Processing: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for the Irish authorities to process your request. The processing time can vary, so it’s a good idea to inquire about the estimated wait time when submitting your application.
6. Receive Confirmation: Once your Foreign Birth Registration is approved, you will receive a certificate confirming your Irish citizenship. This certificate is a crucial document that you can use to obtain an Irish passport and access various rights and benefits associated with Irish citizenship.
7. Apply for an Irish Passport: With your Foreign Birth Registration certificate in hand, you can apply for an Irish passport. An Irish passport allows you to travel as an Irish citizen and provides additional proof of your Irish nationality.

How long does it take to get Irish citizenship by descent?

The timeline for obtaining Irish citizenship by descent can vary depending on several factors. For foreign birth registration, it typically takes several months to process the application, ranging from 6 to 12 months or more, depending on the volume of applications and the completeness of the submitted documentation. Irish passport applications, which are often the final step after citizenship approval, usually take approximately 4 to 6 weeks for standard processing, while expedited services may shorten this to 2 to 3 weeks.

Citizenship applications, including those based on descent, can take several months to over a year from submission to decision, primarily influenced by factors such as application complexity and governmental processing times.

Can I get an Irish passport through my grandparents?

Once you have obtained Irish citizenship status through descent, or discovered that you automatically have a right to Irish citizenship, you will be eligible to apply for an Irish passport.

The easiest way to obtain an Irish passport is to apply online through the Passport Online portal, which is accessible from anywhere in the world and open 24 hours a day.

If you don’t wish to apply online, it is possible to apply by post if you live in Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain.

If you live outside of these countries, you must apply for a passport online.

For a first-time passport application made online, wait times can generally be from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

How IAS Can Help

For tailored support with your Irish Citizenship by Descent application, turn to IAS today. Our team of dedicated experts is committed to assisting you in realising your objectives, whether for personal or business reasons, while efficiently navigating the intricacies of the UK immigration system.

We offer a wide range of services, from application guidance and document preparation to compliance assurance and ongoing support. Feel free to reach out to us at +44 (0)333 414 9244 to arrange a consultation and embark on your journey towards achieving your immigration goals with confidence.