Ireland Citizenship by DescentÂ
Our UK immigration lawyers specialize in representing US & Canadian citizens with applications for British Citizenship by Birth or Descent.
Awards and Accreditations
If you have ever considered becoming a dual citizen, you may be eligible for Ireland citizenship by descent. However, the process of registering your citizenship and obtaining citizenship status can be complicated without qualified legal assistance from an experienced immigration attorney. Sterling Immigration Ltd. can provide legal advice and guidance throughout the application process. Contact us today to learn more.Â
Ireland’s Citizenship Program
Ireland takes a different approach regarding citizenship than many other countries. If you or your parent was born in Ireland before 2005, you are considered an Irish citizen. If you or your parent was born in Ireland after 2005, whether or not you are a citizen depends on your parents’ citizenship status when you were born and the residency history of one of your parents before you were born.
If your grandparent was born in Ireland, you are considered an Irish citizen and can apply for Irish citizenship by descent. Â
You may be a citizen of Ireland if you fall into any of the following categories:
- Your parent was an Irish citizen.Â
- Your parent was an Irish citizen even though they and you were not born in Ireland.Â
- Your grandparent was an Irish citizen.
- Â You were born in Ireland to an Irish citizen.
- You were born in Ireland to a non-Irish citizen who resided in Ireland for three to four years at the time you were born.
- You were born outside of Ireland to Irish citizens born in Ireland.
- You were born outside of Ireland to Irish citizens born outside of Ireland and your grandparents were born in Ireland and Irish citizens.
- You were born outside of Ireland, your parents were born outside of Ireland but they were registered on the Foreign Births Register before your birth, and your grandparents were born outside of Ireland but their parents were born in Ireland.
- Your parent obtained Irish citizenship through naturalization, marriage, or adoption and was an Irish citizen at the time you were born.
- You were born in Northern Ireland after 2005 and one of your parents was a citizen of Ireland or the United Kingdom and had permission to live in Ireland or Northern Ireland.Â
What Is Ireland Citizenship by Descent?
The island of Ireland provides citizenship to people for various reasons, including by descent. This form of citizenship recognition grants individuals whose parents, grandparents, or sometimes great-grandparents were Irish citizens the right to be recognized as an Irish citizen, even if the individual was not born in Ireland.Â
If you are considering applying for Ireland citizenship by descent, consult with an immigration lawyer for help. The team at Sterling Immigration Ltd. can provide guidance regarding the various requirements and procedures.Â
Benefits of Ireland Citizenship
There are several benefits of becoming a citizen of Ireland, including:
- You would have the legal right to live and work in Ireland and the European Union (EU).
- Ireland has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU.
- You can travel in the United States and Australia without needing a visa.
- You can exercise free movement in the EU and live, work and do business in the EU block.
- You can obtain citizenship in Ireland without forfeiting your citizenship in another country.
- You can visit 171 countries without the need for a visa.Â
- You can request consular assistance from an Irish consulate or embassy while traveling abroad Â
Applying for Ireland Citizenship
When you are applying for Ireland citizenship by descent, you are technically asking the Irish government to register your foreign birth. By registering your foreign birth, you are alerting the Irish government of your right to be recognized as a citizen in the country because of your relationship with another Ireland citizen. Once you submit your application for Ireland Citizenship by descent and have received your approval, you can apply for an Irish passport, just as any other Irish citizen can.Â
To receive your certificate of citizenship, you will need to provide original documentation about yourself, your parents, and your grandparents (if applicable), depending on the basis for citizenship.Â
- As of 13 January 2010, the child must be under the age of 18, and
- The child’s parent has the weak form of nationality (‘by descent’) but their grandparent has the strong form of nationality (‘otherwise than by descent’), and
- The child’s parent has a residential link with the UK, in that they have lived here for a three-year period some time prior to the birth of the child and did not leave the UK for more than 270 days within that period.
Eligibility for Adult Applicants
The eligibility criteria and documentation you must submit depend on your descent and your family member’s basis for citizenship, as follows:
You Have an Irish-Born Grandparent
If you are applying because your grandparent was born in Ireland, you will need to submit the following documentation to demonstrate your right to Irish citizenship by descent:
- Your signed and witnessed application form
- Your birth certificate, which should identify your parents and provide other details of your birth
- Your marriage certificate or other name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification
- Two proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs, 2 of which must be witnessed
- Your Irish citizen parent’s birth certificate
- Your Irish citizen parent’s marriage certificate or name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification for your Irish citizen parent
- Your Irish-born grandparent’s birth certificateÂ
- Your Irish-born grandparent’s marriage certificate or name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification for your Irish-born grandparent
Your Parent Is an Irish Citizen Through Naturalization
If your parent is an Irish citizen because they were naturalized, you will need to provide the following:
- Your signed and witnessed application form
- Your birth certificate, which should identify your parents and provide other details of your birth
- Your marriage certificate or other name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification
- Two proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs, 2 of which must be witnessed
- Your Irish citizen parent’s birth certificate
- Your Irish citizen parent’s marriage certificate or name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification for your Irish citizen parent
- Irish Naturalisation CertificateÂ
Your Parent Is an Irish Citizen Through Entry on the Foreign Births Register
If your parent is a citizen of Ireland because they are entered on the Foreign Births Register, you will need to submit the following:
- Your signed and witnessed application form
- Your birth certificate, which should identify your parents and provide other details of your birth
- Your marriage certificate or other name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification
- Two proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs, 2 of which must be witnessed
- Your Irish citizen parent’s birth certificate
- Your Irish citizen parent’s marriage certificate or name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification for your Irish citizen parent
- Foreign Birth Registration CertificateÂ
Your Parent Is an Irish Citizen through Post-Nuptial Citizenship DeclarationÂ
If your parent became a citizen of Ireland by submitting a post-nuptial citizenship declaration, you will need to provide the following evidence:
- Your signed and witnessed application form
- Your birth certificate, which should identify your parents and provide other details of your birth
- Your marriage certificate or other name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification
- Two proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs, 2 of which must be witnessed
- Your Irish citizen parent’s birth certificate
- Your Irish citizen parent’s marriage certificate or name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification for your Irish citizen parent
- Post-nuptial Citienship Certificate
- Your Parent Is an Irish Citizen Who Was Born Abroad and Adopted by an Irish Citizen
If your parent is an Irish citizen because they were born abroad but adopted by an Irish citizen in accordance with Irish law, you will need to provide the following evidence:
- Your signed and witnessed application form
- Your birth certificate, which should identify your parents and provide other details of your birth
- Your marriage certificate or other name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification
- Two proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs, 2 of which must be witnessed
- Your Irish citizen parent’s adoption certificate
- Your Irish citizen parent’s marriage certificate or name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification for your Irish citizen parent
- Proof of citizenship at the date of adoptionÂ
- Your Irish-born grandparent’s birth certificateÂ
- Your Irish-born grandparent’s marriage certificate or name change form, if applicable
- Copy of current government-issued identification with witness certification for your Irish-born grandparent
Eligibility for Minor Applicants
Minor applicants must submit the same documents and evidence as adult applicants, as applicable. Additionally, they must provide:
- A letter from school, family doctor, or another relevant source on the professional’s letterhead that includes the address of the minor applicantÂ
- Proof of guardianship or parental responsibility if the person is not listed as a parent on the applicant’s birth certificateÂ
- 4 colour photographs of the Irish citizen parent, 2 of which must be witnessed
- Two proofs of address for each Irish citizen parent, if applicableÂ
- Death certificate if any of the relevant family members are deceasedÂ
All applicants must sign their application form and two of their colour photographs in front of an appropriate person. The appropriate person should know the applicant but not be related to them. The person should use their official stamp on the form. If they do not have an official stamp, you must provide a business card for them. Appropriate witnesses include members of the clergy, teachers, doctors, and other professionals. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs provides a list of individuals who can serve as a witness for these purposes.Â
Applications can be submitted online. When submitting the application, you will be required to pay a Registration plus Certificate fee and non-refundable postage and handling fee. The fees are different for adults and minors.Â
Help for Applying for Ireland Citizenship by Descent
If you believe that you qualify for Ireland citizenship by descent and would like assistance, Sterling Immigration Ltd. can help. We can discuss your particular situation, determine whether you meet eligibility criteria, and help you assemble the documents and other evidence you need to receive your Ireland citizenship by descent. Contact us today for a confidential consultation with an experienced UK immigration lawyer.
UK Immigration Frequently Asked Questions
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However, please note that the UKVI processing time depends on several factors including the volume of cases the UKVI is receiving and whether there are any priority programs where UKVI gives precedence to applicants from war torn countries or countries affected by natural disasters.
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