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.

Page Contents

• Who qualifies for Irish citizenship by descent?
• Eligibility criteria for claiming Irish citizenship by Descent
• Documentation and Application Process
• How to get an Irish citizenship by descent from UK
• Cost of Irish citizenship by Descent Application
• Foreign Birth Registration
• Born in Ireland
• Irish citizenship when you are born abroad
• Irish citizen parent born outside Ireland
• Citizenship through descent from Irish grandparent
• Irish citizenship through adoption
• How long does it take to get Irish citizenship by descent?
• How IAS Can Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

The documentation and application processes for individuals who meet the requirements for Irish citizenship through descent can vary depending on the specific route they are taking. Here, we’ll provide a general overview of the steps involved:

• Determine Your Eligibility: Before starting the application process, ensure that you meet the specific eligibility criteria for the route you are taking to claim Irish citizenship by descent. This may involve confirming your or your parents’ Irish citizenship status, birthplaces, and other relevant factors.
• Gather Required Documents: Collect all the necessary documentation to support your application. 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: Obtain the appropriate application forms for claiming Irish citizenship through descent. 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.

To obtain Irish citizenship by descent from the UK, you must gather essential documents, including your birth certificate, your Irish-born grandparent or parent’s birth certificate, marriage certificates if applicable, proof of your grandparent or parent’s Irish citizenship, and your passport. Ensure your Irish grandparent or parent met the citizenship criteria at your birth. Choose the application route, either through the Irish embassy/consulate in the UK or directly in Ireland.

Complete the application form, submit it with the required documents, and pay the application fee. Await processing, which may take several months, and be prepared for a potential interview. Once approved, you can apply for an Irish passport to fully enjoy the privileges of Irish citizenship. Verify current requirements with the Irish authorities before applying.

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. As of September 2023, the fee for an adult Irish citizenship application is €175.

If you are born in Ireland, you automatically acquire Irish citizenship under the principle of jus soli, granting you a range of rights and privileges. These include the ability to apply for an Irish passport, which provides visa-free access to various countries and consular assistance abroad. As an Irish citizen, you have access to Ireland’s public healthcare and education systems, can participate in national and local elections once you reach the voting age, and enjoy equal employment opportunities within the country.

Additionally, you are entitled to the protection of Irish law and the Irish Constitution, ensuring access to fair trials and legal services. While no further registration is required to confirm your citizenship, you can obtain official documentation such as an Irish passport or Citizenship Certificate if needed for various purposes.

Irish citizenship when born abroad is granted to individuals who can establish a direct lineage to an Irish citizen parent. To qualify, the individual must provide evidence of their Irish parent’s citizenship and their own relationship to that parent, typically through birth certificates and marriage certificates. Additionally, the Irish citizen parent should have registered the birth with the Irish authorities or obtained a foreign birth registration for the child.

The application process involves submitting these documents to the relevant Irish authorities, such as the Irish embassy or consulate in their country of residence. Once the documentation is verified, and eligibility is confirmed, the individual can obtain Irish citizenship, providing them with the rights and privileges associated with being an Irish citizen.

Irish citizenship can be claimed by individuals who have an Irish citizen parent born outside of Ireland. To be eligible, one must provide sufficient documentation to establish their parent’s Irish citizenship, which typically includes the parent’s birth certificate and any relevant naturalization documents if applicable. Additionally, the applicant needs to prove their relationship to the Irish citizen parent through birth certificates or other legal records.

The guidance for this process involves gathering all necessary documentation, completing the relevant application forms, and submitting them to the appropriate authorities, typically the Irish embassy or consulate.

Individuals seeking Irish citizenship through descent from an Irish grandparent must meet specific requirements and follow a precise application process. To qualify, the applicant’s grandparent must have been born on the island of Ireland, and documentary evidence such as the grandparent’s birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable) must be provided. Additionally, the applicant must demonstrate a genuine link to Irish culture, including language or cultural ties.

The application process typically involves submitting these documents to the Irish embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. The processing time can vary, so it’s advisable to check with the relevant authorities for the most current estimates and requirements to claim Irish citizenship through descent from an Irish grandparent.

Irish citizenship through adoption allows individuals who have been adopted by Irish citizens to claim Irish citizenship. To qualify, the adoptive parents must be Irish citizens, and the adoption must be legally recognized in Ireland. The process typically involves submitting an application to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, along with supporting documents such as the adoption order, proof of the adoptive parents’ Irish citizenship, and the applicant’s birth certificate.

Applicants must also demonstrate a genuine and ongoing relationship with their adoptive parents. Once approved, individuals will receive Irish citizenship, granting them the same rights and privileges as any other Irish citizen.

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.