Citizenship Through Irish Citizen Parent (Foreign Births Register)

This pathway allows individuals born outside Ireland to claim Irish citizenship when their parent is an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, even if that parent was not born in Ireland. This is distinct from the automatic citizenship granted when a parent was born in Ireland. The pathway is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended), with applications processed through the Foreign Births Register (FBR) maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The FBR pathway remains active and accepting applications as of March 2026, with no announced closing date or suspension. Standard processing time is approximately 9 months from the date all supporting documents are received, a significant improvement from pandemic-era backlogs that exceeded 2.5 years in 2022–2023.

Government Fees

• Adults (18 years and over): €278 total
  • Registration plus Certificate: €270
  • Non-refundable postage and handling fee: €8
• Children (under 18 years): €153 total
  • Registration plus Certificate: €145
  • Non-refundable postage and handling fee: €8

Payment is made online when you complete the application form and is non-refundable.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Beyond the government fee, applicants typically incur:

• Document acquisition and certification: Obtaining birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates from various jurisdictions; having them certified as true copies (typically €10–50 per document depending on jurisdiction)
• Apostille/authentication: If documents are from outside the EU, they may require apostille certification (typically €5–50 per document depending on jurisdiction)
• Translation: If documents are in a language other than English, certified translations may be required (typically €20–100 per document)
• Postage: International postage for sending documents to Ireland (typically €20–50 depending on location)
• Professional assistance (optional): Immigration lawyer or consultant fees (typically €500–2,000+ if using a service)

Current Standard Processing Time

The current standard processing time is approximately 9 months from the date all supporting documents are received by the Passport Service. This applies to complete applications that require no further submissions.

Historical Context

Processing times have improved dramatically:

• 2022–2023: Over 2.5 years (severe pandemic backlog)
• 2024: Approximately 12–18 months (backlog clearing)
• 2025–2026: Approximately 9 months (normal operations)

The improvement has been achieved through additional staffing and workflow digitalization.

Current Application Volume

As of April 2025, approximately 45,000 FBR applications are in the system, with 36,000 with the Passport Service for processing and 9,000 awaiting documentation from applicants. The largest cohort of applicants are from England (16,700), followed by Australia (1,300) and Canada (1,400).

Factors Affecting Processing Speed

Applications may take longer if:

• Documents are incomplete or missing
• Documents require further verification or authentication
• There are discrepancies in names, dates, or other details across documents
• Documents are from multiple jurisdictions and require cross-checking
• The applicant's parent–child relationship is not clearly documented

Urgent Processing

Urgent processing is available in two specific circumstances:

1. Expectant parents: If you are an expectant parent and your child would not be entitled to Irish citizenship if you are not on the Foreign Births Register before they are born
2. Statelessness: If you are stateless or expecting a child that will be stateless because they do not qualify for citizenship in their country of birth

To request urgent processing, contact the Foreign Birth Registration Customer Service Hub at +353 1 568 3331 (9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday). Supporting documentation confirming the urgent need is required. While every effort will be made to facilitate urgent requests, the Passport Service cannot give assurances that an entry will occur in time.

Recent Policy Updates (2024–2026)

April 2025: New Guidelines for Irish Association Applications

In April 2025, the Immigration Service Delivery published new indicative guidelines for applications based on Irish descent or Irish associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. These guidelines clarify the discretionary pathway for those with Irish ancestry who do not meet standard FBR or naturalisation criteria. This is a separate pathway from the automatic FBR pathway, but the guidelines provide context on how the Department evaluates Irish descent claims.

December 2025: Changes to Citizenship for People Granted International Protection

Effective 8 December 2025, the residency requirement for people granted international protection (refugees) to apply for Irish citizenship was increased from 3 years to 5 years. This change does not affect the FBR pathway for those with Irish citizen parents born abroad, but it reflects a broader tightening of citizenship criteria.

November 2025: Proposed Tightening of Citizenship Criteria

In November 2025, the Minister for Justice received Government approval to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland's citizenship system. Proposed changes include clearer definition of "good character" as a statutory condition for naturalisation and new eligibility criteria preventing individuals who have received certain social-welfare payments from applying for citizenship. These changes are expected to be implemented through 2026 but do not currently affect the FBR pathway for those with Irish citizen parents.

2023: Online Application System Launch

In 2023, the Department of Justice launched an online application portal for citizenship, replacing the older paper system. The Foreign Births Register application is now submitted entirely online, with supporting documents posted separately. This digitalization has contributed to faster processing times.

Legal Framework

The FBR pathway is established under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended), with key amendments in:

• 1986: Established equal rights through maternal and paternal lines
• 2004: Modified citizenship rules for those born on or after 1 January 2005
• 2014 and later: Various technical amendments

The pathway is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), with applications processed by the Passport Service's Foreign Births Registration Unit.

No Active Litigation

As of March 2026, there are no known pending court cases or constitutional challenges specifically targeting the FBR pathway for those with Irish citizen parents born abroad. The pathway remains stable and legally established.

Submitting Incomplete Applications

Pitfall: The Department has noted an increase in incomplete applications, which are returned and not processed, causing significant delays.

Tip: Before submitting your online application, gather and verify all required documents. Use the official checklist provided on the application form. If you are unsure whether a document is required, contact the Customer Service Hub at +353 1 568 3331.

Confusing Automatic Citizenship with FBR Registration

Pitfall: If your parent was born in Ireland, you are automatically an Irish citizen and do not need to apply for FBR. Applicants sometimes waste time and money applying for FBR when they can apply directly for a passport.

Tip: Check whether your parent was born in Ireland. If yes, you are already an Irish citizen—apply for a passport directly. If your parent was born abroad but is an Irish citizen, then you need FBR registration.

Not Establishing Parental Relationship Clearly

Pitfall: If your Irish parent is not named on your birth certificate, the Department will not recognise the parental relationship. This is a significant hurdle that can delay or prevent approval.

Tip: If your Irish parent is not listed on your birth certificate, you must legally amend your birth certificate through the appropriate process in your country of birth (typically involving a court order or paternity/maternity declaration) before applying for FBR.

Submitting Photocopies Instead of Originals

Pitfall: The Department requires original state-issued civil documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates). Photocopies are not accepted unless specifically noted as "certified copies."

Tip: Obtain original documents from the issuing authorities. If you cannot obtain originals, obtain certified copies and include a letter explaining why originals are unavailable.

Missing the Witness Requirement

Pitfall: The application form and two photographs must be witnessed by a professional who is personally known to you. Applicants sometimes forget this step or use an inappropriate witness.

Tip: Identify an appropriate witness early (teacher, doctor, lawyer, etc.) and schedule a meeting to have them sign and stamp your form and photos. Ensure the witness is currently practicing in their profession.

Timing Issues with Children's Citizenship

Pitfall: If you register in the FBR and then have children, your children are entitled to Irish citizenship only if they are born after you have been registered. If your child is born before you are registered, they are not automatically entitled to Irish citizenship.

Tip: If you are an expectant parent, apply for FBR urgently. Contact the Customer Service Hub at +353 1 568 3331 to request urgent processing. Mark your application clearly as an expectant parent application.

Not Accounting for Document Acquisition Time

Pitfall: Obtaining documents from multiple jurisdictions can take weeks or months. Applicants sometimes underestimate this timeline.

Tip: Begin gathering documents immediately. Contact the relevant civil registration authorities in each jurisdiction where documents were issued. Allow 4–8 weeks for document acquisition, plus additional time for certification and apostille if required.

Incorrect Name Spelling or Variations

Pitfall: Spellings of names and placenames can lead to confusion and delays. If your name appears differently on different documents (e.g., "Mary" vs. "Marie," "O'Brien" vs. "Obrien"), the Department may request clarification.

Tip: Ensure all documents show consistent name spelling. If you have legally changed your name, include a change of name document (deed poll, court order, etc.) to link your birth certificate name to your current name.

Misconception: "I need to live in Ireland to apply."

Reality: You do not need to live in Ireland to claim citizenship by descent. The entire application process can be completed from abroad. You can apply for FBR and receive your certificate while living anywhere in the world.

Misconception: "I need to speak Irish or English."

Reality: There is no language test for Irish citizenship by descent. You do not need to demonstrate proficiency in Irish or English to qualify for FBR registration.

Misconception: "My parent's Irish citizenship doesn't count because they weren't born in Ireland."

Reality: This is the core of this pathway. If your parent is an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, you are entitled to Irish citizenship through FBR registration, regardless of where your parent was born.

Misconception: "I'll owe Irish taxes just by holding Irish citizenship."

Reality: Ireland taxes based on residence, not citizenship. Simply holding Irish citizenship while living abroad does not trigger Irish tax obligations. You only owe Irish taxes if you are resident in Ireland.

Misconception: "Once I register, my children automatically become Irish citizens."

Reality: Your children are entitled to Irish citizenship only if they are born after you are registered in the FBR. If your children are born before you are registered, they are not automatically entitled to Irish citizenship.

Once you are entered onto the Foreign Births Register, you become an Irish citizen and are entitled to:

• Apply for an Irish passport and travel with full Irish citizenship documentation
• Live and work in Ireland and the European Union without visa restrictions
• Travel freely within the EU and EEA under EU freedom of movement rules
• Request consular assistance from Irish embassies and consulates abroad, or from those of any other EU member state in a country where there is no Irish representation (EU Consular Protection Directive)
• Full EU citizenship rights, including access to education, healthcare, and social services in EU member states
• Vote in Irish and EU elections (once you obtain an Irish passport and register as a voter)
• Hold dual citizenship alongside your existing nationality without any restrictions or requirement to renounce
• Sponsor family members for Irish residency and citizenship in certain circumstances
• Access to Irish government services and benefits (subject to residency and other eligibility criteria)

Important Timing Note on Citizenship Effective Date

Your Irish citizenship becomes effective from the date you are registered in the Foreign Births Register, not from your birth date. This distinction is critical for determining whether your children are entitled to Irish citizenship. If your children are born after you are registered, they are eligible to apply for FBR registration themselves. If they are born before you are registered, they are not automatically entitled to Irish citizenship.

Passport Strength and Travel Benefits

Once registered, you can apply for an Irish passport, which is ranked in the top 10 globally in passport strength indices, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a significant number of countries worldwide.

Foreign Birth Registration Customer Service Hub

• Phone: +353 1 568 3331
• Hours: 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
• WebChat: Available weekdays 9:00am to 4:30pm (closed weekends and public holidays)

Online Application Portal

• https://fbr.dfa.ie/

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Citizenship

• https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/

Replacement Certificate Applications

• https://fbrcertreplacements.dfa.ie/