Family Reunification for Protection Holders

You will need to gather and prepare the following documents. The Family Reunification Unit will send you a detailed questionnaire after your initial application, which will specify exactly which documents they require for your case. Organize these in advance so you can respond quickly when the questionnaire arrives.

For You (the Sponsor)

• Copy of your international protection declaration letter — the official letter confirming your refugee or subsidiary protection status
• Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or evidence of your Person ID number — this appears on your IRP or in previous letters from Immigration Service Delivery
• Proof of your current address — utility bill, rental agreement, tenancy letter, or similar document dated within the last three months

For Each Family Member

• Birth certificate — original or certified copy. If the original is not in English, you will need an English translation certified by a professional translator.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable) — original or certified copy, proving the marriage took place before you applied for international protection in Ireland. Must be in English or translated.
• Civil partnership certificate (if applicable) — original or certified copy, proving the civil partnership was established before you applied for international protection in Ireland. Must be in English or translated.
• Passport or travel document — valid or expired (expired documents are acceptable for identity verification purposes)
• Proof of current address — utility bill, rental agreement, or similar document
• Proof of relationship — family register, church records, or other official documents confirming your relationship. If parentage is disputed or unclear, DNA testing may be required. DNA testing is only ordered when there is genuine doubt about parentage; it is not routine.

Documentation Standards

Apostille and Translation: Documents issued outside Ireland typically require an apostille — an official certification that authenticates the origin of a public document. This is obtained from the authority that issued the document in the country of origin. Any document not in English must be translated into English by a certified professional translator. The translator should provide a signed statement confirming the accuracy of the translation.

Certified Copies: If you cannot obtain original documents (for example, if your country of origin does not issue duplicates or if documents were lost), provide certified copies. A certified copy is one that has been officially verified as a true copy of the original by an authorized person (such as a notary public, lawyer, or government official).

Unavailable Documents: If you genuinely cannot obtain a required document (for example, if your country of origin is in conflict and civil registration is not functioning), explain this in writing and provide alternative evidence of the relationship — such as affidavits from witnesses, school records, medical records, or correspondence. The Family Reunification Unit will assess whether the alternative evidence is sufficient.