Eligibility quiz
Are you married to an Irish citizen or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Irish passport
Irish citizens can hold an Irish passport for international travel.
An adult passport lasts 10 years and must be renewed, but citizenship does not need renewal.
Live in Ireland for life
Irish citizens have a permanent right to live in Ireland without immigration permission.
Citizenship has no routine expiry date.
Work in Ireland
Irish citizens can work in Ireland without immigration permission or restrictions on their right to work.
Get help abroad
Irish citizens can ask for help abroad, including in an emergency.
Where Ireland has no embassy or consulate, they can ask another EU country's embassy or consulate for help.
Vote and run for office
Irish citizens aged 18 or over can vote in elections and referendums if they live in Ireland and are registered.
Citizens can also stand for election in Ireland and the EU if they meet the qualifications for the office.
Eligible citizens can serve on a jury.
Use public healthcare
Irish citizens can use public healthcare on the same terms as other people living in Ireland.
Eligibility generally depends on where they normally live, and a medical card also depends on income and other conditions.
A medical card covers GP care and certain other services; without one, charges can apply.
Use social supports
Irish citizens can use social supports on the same eligibility basis as other people living in Ireland, not simply because of their citizenship.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Fill in the application online
Create an account with Immigration Service Delivery and fill in the adult citizenship application, choosing the marriage or civil partnership option.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start an online Irish citizenship by naturalisation application through my spouse or civil partner?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsSubmit your application
Upload the required documents, pay the €175 application fee online and submit your application. You can mail a paper application if you already started one under the old system.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an online Irish citizenship by naturalisation application through my spouse or civil partner?”
Complete the partner declaration
After you complete your part, your Irish spouse or civil partner must sign the matching declaration in front of a solicitor, notary public, commissioner for oaths or peace commissioner. They must bring photo identification.
Get the declarationSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Irish citizenship by naturalisation spouse or civil partner declaration form?”
Upload the declaration
Upload the completed declaration and any requested documents through the online citizenship application service.
Upload your declarationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I upload my spouse or civil partner declaration to my Irish citizenship by naturalisation application?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application through your Customer Service account, and respond if you are asked for more information or documents.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of my Irish citizenship by naturalisation application through my Customer Service account?”
Pay the certificate fee
If your application is approved, pay the certificate fee.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the certificate fee after approval of my Irish citizenship by naturalisation application?”
Wait for your invitation
Wait for your invitation to the citizenship ceremony.
Find invitation informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive an invitation to an Irish citizenship ceremony after naturalisation approval?”
Attend the citizenship ceremony
Attend the ceremony and make the declaration of loyalty. Bring your identity documents and, if you have one, your current Irish Residence Permit card.
Find ceremony informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend an Irish citizenship ceremony and make the naturalisation declaration?”
Receive your certificate
Wait for your certificate of naturalisation to arrive by registered post. You can then apply for an Irish passport.
Find certificate informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Irish certificate of naturalisation after the citizenship ceremony?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage or partnership certificate
Provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate or civil partnership registration certificate. A civil partnership registered outside Ireland must be recognised under Irish law.
Partner's sworn declaration
Provide the completed spouse or civil partner declaration after you have completed your part of the application. Your Irish spouse or civil partner must sign it before a solicitor, notary public, commissioner for oaths or peace commissioner.
Partner's citizenship records
Provide a certified document showing that your spouse or civil partner is entitled to Irish citizenship. This can be their Irish birth certificate, Foreign Births Register record, qualifying parent's Irish birth certificate, naturalisation certificate or passport biometric page.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Registration when living abroad
If you became a citizen through naturalisation and live abroad, you must register your intention to keep Irish citizenship every year, unless an exception applies.
Exceptions include some people with Irish ancestry or connections.
After seven continuous years living abroad, failure to register can put your citizenship at risk.
Jury duty
Irish citizens who are eligible and called for jury service must serve.
Some people are exempt or not eligible.
Citizenship can be lost
If you are over 18 and outside Ireland, you can give up citizenship if you already have, or are about to get, another citizenship.
Citizenship gained through naturalisation can be taken away for fraud, serious disloyalty, certain failures to register abroad, or other legal grounds.
You must be notified and can ask for an independent inquiry.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Passport Questions Ireland
English Facebook group for people interested in Irish citizenship
Join on FacebookThe Irish Passport Office - Hints and Tips
English Facebook group for people interested in Irish citizenship
Join on FacebookIrish Naturalisation process - Passport process & Timelime, IRP Renewal
English Facebook group for people interested in Irish citizenship and visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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