Irish Citizenship by Descent for Nigerian Nationals

Overview of Irish Citizenship by Descent

Irish citizenship by descent is available to foreign nationals born outside of or who have never been to Ireland (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) but have an Irish ancestry.  

In line with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 and its amendments, you may be eligible to claim citizenship based on descent if you have a parent, grandparent, or even a great-grandparent who is or was an Irish citizen.

However, whether you can become a citizen by descent will depend on whether you can provide evidence of your lineage and relationship to your Irish relative, your relative’s citizenship status, and the circumstances surrounding their birth. 

How Descent-Based Citizenship Evolved

Descent-based citizenship has been an essential aspect of Irish nationality law for many years. Following independence from Britain in 1922, the Irish Free State established its own constitution, including citizenship rules. The 1922 constitution primarily focused on granting citizenship to individuals living in the State at the time and who were born, whose parents were born, or who had resided for seven years in the State. 

Irish citizenship laws later evolved with the establishment of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1935 and its subsequent amendments up until the 2004 Citizenship Referendum. This Act defined descent-based citizenship, allowing individuals born outside Ireland to claim citizenship if they had Irish-born parents. 

Irish Citizenship By Descent Versus Other Forms of Irish Citizenship

The citizenship by descent pathway allows individuals to become citizens regardless of where they were born as long as they have an Irish family member in their direct descending line.

Other commonly known routes to citizenship include citizenship by birth, which requires applicants to be born on the island of Ireland, and citizenship by naturalisation, which requires individuals to have lived in Ireland for three or five years, depending on their circumstances.

Note that citizenship applications must meet stringent requirements, and irrespective of your route, your application will only be granted at the discretion of the Irish Minister of Justice. 

Benefits of Acquiring Irish Citizenship By Descent

Acquiring Irish citizenship by descent can help you maintain a strong connection to your Irish ancestry and culture. 

Being an Irish citizen comes with numerous rights and privileges. For instance, you’ll gain the right to live, work, and study in Ireland and the broader European Union without visa restrictions. 

Besides the EU member states, your Irish passport will allow you to enter over 150 countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, visa-free for short stays. If you ever need diplomatic assistance outside Ireland, you can get help from an Irish embassy or consulate.

You’ll have the right to vote, be voted for in Ireland’s elections, and receive public benefits. Furthermore, you’ll have the right to pass citizenship on to future generations and ensure your Irish legacy continues.

Eligibility for Irish Citizenship by Descent

To apply for Irish citizenship by descent, you must meet one of these requirements:

• One of your grandparents was born in Ireland 
• One of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth and was born outside Ireland. Your parent may have claimed citizenship through the Foreign Births Register or became a citizen by adoption or naturalisation.

Note that you cannot claim Irish citizenship by descent based on a relative not in your direct descending line, such as an aunt, uncle, or cousin or an Irish relative in an ascending line, such as a child or grandchild.

Citizenship Through Irish-born Parents

If one of your parents was born in Ireland and was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically an Irish citizen, even if you were born outside Ireland. In this case, you don’t need to apply to become a citizen. Instead, you might be able to apply for a passport directly. 

Citizenship by Descent Through Irish-born Grandparents

If one of your grandparents was an Irish national born in Ireland and your parent was born outside Ireland but had automatic citizenship when they were born, you can become a citizen by registering your birth in the Foreign Birth Register. 

However, your parent must have remained a citizen at the time of your birth. When you complete the Foreign Birth Registration, you can then apply for your Irish passport. 

Citizenship by Descent Through a Parent’s Entry on the Foreign Birth Register (Through Irish-born Great-Grandparents)

If your parents became citizens based on their registration in the Foreign Births Register before you were born (i.e. your parents had Irish-born grandparents), you will qualify for citizenship by descent. You’ll automatically become a citizen once you register your birth on the Foreign Births Register. 

Note that to pass on citizenship by descent, each generation not automatically entitled to Irish citizenship is supposed to register their birth in the Foreign Births Register before the next generation is born. 

As such, if your parent had not been registered at the time of your birth, you will not be entitled to citizenship by descent. 

Citizenship for Adopted Children

A non-Irish child adopted by Irish citizens is typically entitled to be an Irish citizen by birth, irrespective of where the Irish parent was born. 

However, if your Irish parent was living abroad at the time of your adoption, your adoption must be entered in the Register of Intercountry Adoptions. Then, you’ll automatically become an Irish citizen. Additionally, your children can obtain citizenship by descent through the Foreign Birth Registration.

Determining your eligibility for citizenship by descent can be challenging, as Irish citizenship laws are complex. To assess your eligibility, you should speak to one of our Irish immigration lawyers at +234 2013306361. 

Application Process for Irish Citizenship by Descent

To apply for citizenship by descent, you must register your birth in the Foreign Births Register. Once you are entered into this register, you are an Irish citizen. Then, you’ll be entitled to apply for an Irish passport.

Here’s a step-by-step overview of the entire citizenship by descent application process:

1. Determine your eligibility
2. Gather your documents
3. Register your birth on the Foreign Births Register by taking these steps:
   1. Complete the online application form.
   2. Make a payment.
   3. Post your form and other required documents to the immigration authorities. 
4. Apply for your Irish passport.

What is the Foreign Births Register?

The Foreign Births Register is an official database that documents people born outside Ireland to Irish-citizen parents who were also born outside Ireland. An individual’s information in the database indicates they have been recognised as Irish citizens. 

The Foreign Births Register is kept by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. Additionally, every Irish diplomatic mission and consular office worldwide maintains a Foreign Births Entry Book. 

Individuals living outside Ireland and applying to be added to the Register can send their applications to the nearest embassy or consulate in their country of residence. Their names will be added to the Entry Book first, which is usually transcribed into the Foreign Births Register from time to time.

Furthermore, anyone registered in the Entry Book or Register becomes a citizen effective from the registration date, not from their date of birth.

Documents Requirements for Irish Citizenship by Descent

Once you’ve determined your eligibility for citizenship by descent, you must gather the documents you’ll need for your Foreign Births Registration. Depending on your situation, these documents may span up to three generations: applicants, parents, and grandparents.

Note that all documents must be original, except where a photocopy is requested. They must be in English or Irish and certified as a true copy by a notary public, commissioner of oaths, lawyer, or post office service. 

Additionally, all state-issued documents, such as birth or marriage certificates, issued outside Ireland must be legalised or apostilled by the Minister of Justice in their issuing country. 

Documents for Applicants

As an applicant, your personal documents must include the following:

• The completed, signed and witnessed application form 
• Your civil birth or adoption certificate showing parental details
• A civil marriage certificate (if applicable) 
• A change of name document (if applicable)
• A letter from school, family doctor or other relevant source on headed paper which includes an applicant’s address (for applicants under 18 only)
• A photocopy of your current state-issued ID document (i.e. your Nigerian passport, driver’s licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by your witness.
• Two separate original proofs of address
• Four colour photographs (two of which are to be witnessed).

Documents of Applicant’s Parents and Grandparents 

You’ll also need to submit the following documents to prove your ancestry:

• Civil birth or adoption certificate of your Irish parent showing parental details
• Civil birth certificate of your Irish grandparent showing parental information (if applicable)
• Civil marriage certificate of Irish grandparent and parent (if applicable) 
• Any change of name document (if applicable)
• A certified true copy of your grandparent and parent’s current state-issued photographic ID document or original civil death certificate 

You should also provide any of the following, depending on your parent’s citizenship status at the time of your birth:

• Irish Naturalisation Certificate
• Foreign Birth Registration Certificate
• Adoption certificate and adoption order
• Post Nuptial Citizenship Certificate

Once you’ve compiled your documents, you can begin the Foreign Births Registration process.

The Foreign Births Register Application Form

You must complete the online application form to register on the Foreign Births Register. You’ll find the form on the Department of Foreign Affairs website, and you’ll need to read and accept the terms and conditions by clicking on a checkbox before you can access the form. 

The Foreign Births Register Form has five sections: General, Applicants, Parents, Grandparents, and Contact Details. These sections, as their name suggests, require different information. For instance, in the General section, you must provide information about your country of residence, age, and how your parents acquired citizenship. 

In the Parent and Grandparent sections, you must provide details about your parents and grandparents and inform the Department of Foreign Affairs if they renounced their citizenship to the Minister of Justice or through an Irish embassy or consulate.  

It’s essential to fill out each detail on the form correctly, especially the information required about your parents or grandparents, as it could impact the success of your application. Once you’ve filled out the form and cross-referenced your information, you’ll need to print it out in hard copy along with a checklist of the supporting documents you need. Then, you can submit the online application.

Fees for Irish Citizenship by Descent Application

Once you’ve submitted the form, you must pay non-refundable fees for the Foreign Births Registration, your Citizenship Certificate, and a postage and handling fee for returning your certificate. The payment must be made online, and the amount you’ll pay will depend on your age. 

If you are 18 years of age and over, you’ll pay

• Registration and Certificate: €270
• Postage and handling fee: €8
• Total: €278

If you are under 18 years of age, you’ll pay

• Registration plus Certificate: €145
• Non-refundable postage and handling fee: €8
• Total: €153

Having Your Application Witnessed

As part of the application process, you must get the printed copy of your Foreign Births Register application form witnessed by a professional you know personally but is not directly related to you. 

Having your documents witnessed ensures a trusted individual verifies them and confirms their authenticity and suitability for citizenship by descent application. Failing to get your application witnessed or using an ineligible witness can result in your application’s invalidation and rejection.

How to Get Your Application Witnessed

1. First, you must sign the printed copy of your Foreign Births Register application form in the presence of your witness. 
2. Then, your witness must stamp the application form with their official stamp. If they don’t have an official stamp, they can attach their business card to your form so that the immigration authorities can verify them. 
3. Your witness must sign and verify two out of the four passport-style photographs you are to submit with your application. If you are applying on behalf of a child, you must get both your passports and that of the child witnessed. 
4. Finally, the witness must certify a copy of your state-issued identification document as a true copy of the original. 

Who Can Serve as a Witness

A witness for Irish citizenship by descent applications cannot be just anyone. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), an eligible witness must be actively practising in one of the eligible professions listed below at the time of your application:

• Medical Doctor/Dentist/Nurse/Veterinarian 
• Member of Clergy

• Accountant/Bank Manager/Assistant Bank Manager or Credit Union Manager or Assistant Manager
• School Principal/ Vice Principal/ Teacher/ School Secretary/ Pre-school Manager/ Montessori Teacher/ Lecturer
• Physiotherapist/Speech Therapist
• Notary Public/Commissioner of Oaths
• Police Officer (Garda Síochána)
• Pharmacist
• Lawyer
• Peace Commissioner
• Elected Public Representative
• Chartered Engineer

Posting Your Application

The final step in the application process is to post your application. 

You are expected to send the signed and witnessed Foreign Births Registration application form along with all your supporting documents to the Department of Foreign Affairs or to the Irish Embassy or consulate listed on your application form. 

If you are applying from Nigeria, you’ll send it to the Irish Embassy in Abuja. However, if you are a Nigerian living in another country, the address on your application form will be your nearest Embassy or consulate. 

Note that your application will be processed in Ireland if you live in Great Britain, USA, Canada, or Australia. 

One of our lawyers at IAS can guide you through completing your online application form, getting it witnessed, and submitting it via post. We are available for both virtual and in-office consultations, and you can call us right away at +234 2013306361.  

Processing Time for Irish Citizenship by Descent

The processing time for the Foreign Births Register application is usually around nine months from when the immigration authorities receive your physical documents. However, this time can be longer due to several factors. 

Some common causes of delays are submitting an incomplete supporting document, not including original copies of state-issued documents, and not paying the application fee at the time of the online application. The processing time may also be longer if your application requires further clarification. 

Verify your details during your online application before submitting it. You should also use the printed document checklist to prepare your supporting documents before sending them via post. 

Furthermore, you can make an urgent request for expedited processing. However, you must be one of the following:

• An expectant parent whose child will be ineligible for Irish citizenship if you are not entered into the Foreign Births Register before your child is born. 
• A stateless person or an individual expecting a child who will be stateless because they do not qualify for citizenship in their country of residence. 

To get your application processed quickly, you should state your situation clearly on your application. You could detail your situation in a letter and other evidence to corroborate your story. Then, call the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Passport Service Customer Service Hub at +353 1 568 3331 to officially request urgent processing. 

Once your application has been processed, the Department or Embassy will return all your original documents to the address on your application form.

After You Have Been Added to the Foreign Births Register

If your application is successful, you will be added to the Foreign Births Register, indicating that you are an Irish citizen. As proof of your citizenship, you will receive a citizenship certificate, and you can apply for an Irish passport.  

Apply for a Passport 

To apply for your Irish passport, you must do so online using the official Passport Online service on the Ireland government website. You may also be able to submit a paper application through the Irish Embassy in your country of residence. 

When applying online or via post, you must submit an eligible digital photograph, your Foreign Births Registration Certificate, and the supporting documents in your citizenship application. 

You must pay a fee for your passport book and passport card. Here is a breakdown of the cost for online and postal applications made within Ireland:

If you are applying via post outside Ireland, the Irish embassy in your country of residence will tell you the cost of postal applications. 

Acquire Other Identification Documents

If you become a resident of Ireland, you can apply for other government-issued identification documents, such as a driver’s licence, which you can get at the National Driver’s Licence Service (NDLS), and a Public Service Card, obtainable via MyGovID or in person at a Public Service Card centre.

Update Your Records

You should update your records if there’s been a significant change in your circumstances, such as a name change, which might affect your citizenship status. To do so, you can write to the Department of Foreign Affairs via post or call them.

Can My Siblings and I Apply Together?

You can submit a joint application for citizenship by descent with your siblings. However, joint applications are only possible if you and your siblings reside in the same country.

To submit a joint sibling application, simply enclose each applicant’s separate application form in an envelope with a note stating that some supporting documents apply to all applications. The benefit is that you and your siblings will only need to submit one set of certain supporting documents, such as those about your parents or grandparents.

How Many Generations Are Allowed for Irish Citizenship by Descent?

Generally, Irish citizenship by descent applications will consider up to three generations of ancestry to determine if an applicant is eligible for citizenship. However, if the last generation (a parent) is a citizen, acquired automatically or through Foreign Birth Registration, you can be eligible for citizenship.

Can I Become a Dual Citizen after Gaining Irish Citizenship by Descent?

The citizenship rules in Ireland and even Nigeria allow for dual nationality. As such, you can be an Irish citizen without renouncing your Nigerian citizenship status and enjoy the benefits of both passports.

IAS Immigration Services for Nigerian Immigrants to Ireland

The Irish citizenship by descent option is reserved for individuals who can prove their Irish heritage. The application process can be complex, requiring applicants to submit official documents spanning several generations, which may have been issued in multiple jurisdictions. 

To ensure you have a smooth and successful application, you need an Irish immigration lawyer.  Our lawyers at Immigration Advice Service are experienced with descent-based citizenship applications. We can help you determine your eligibility, prepare the required documents, and complete your Foreign Births Register application. 

We can assist you with passport applications, expedited processing, or appeal submissions. We offer both online and in-person consultations tailored to each client’s needs. To discuss your case with one of our lawyers, call us at +234 2013306361.