Irish Citizenship by Descent
If you've found our website, you've discovered the possibility of claiming Irish citizenship by descent. The rules surrounding the process can seem overwhelming and confusing. Ireland is not very generous with their citizenship by descent — simply having an Irish ancestor somewhere in your family line does not automatically qualify you.
Eligibility Categories
Born in Ireland
You are automatically an Irish citizen if you were born on the island of Ireland (Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland).
Irish-Born Parent
If one of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically an Irish citizen — even if you were born abroad. You just need to register your birth.
Irish-Born Grandparent
If one of your grandparents was born in Ireland, you can claim Irish citizenship by registering on the Foreign Births Register (FBR). You must register before having children if you want to pass citizenship on.
Great-Grandparent or Further
If your connection is through a great-grandparent or further back, you generally do not qualify — unless your parent registered on the Foreign Births Register before you were born.
Through Marriage
Marriage to an Irish citizen does not automatically grant citizenship, but it may provide a pathway through naturalization with reduced residency requirements.
Perks of Irish Citizenship
When you are an Irish citizen, you are a European Union citizen. This means that not only are you able to move to Ireland, you also gain access to 30 other countries between the EU and EEA. In addition, Ireland is now the only EU passport with access to freely live and work in the United Kingdom after Brexit.
Required Documents
Your Documents
- Marriage certificate or change of name document (if applicable)
- Certified photocopy of current state-issued identification (passport, drivers licence, national identity card)
- Two proofs of address (not photocopies). If applying on behalf of a child, include a letter from the child's school or doctor
- Four photographs
- If applying on behalf of a child but you are not the parent, include proof of guardianship
Documents From Your Irish Ancestor
- A certified long-form copy of their birth certificate
- A certified copy of their marriage certificate
- A certified photocopy of current government-issued identification (passport, drivers licence, national identity card)
- A certified copy of their death certificate if they are deceased
You Might Also Need
- If your parent became an Irish citizen through the Foreign Births Register — a certified copy of their original foreign birth registration
- If your parent became an Irish citizen through post-nuptial declaration — a certified copy of their post-nuptial citizenship certificate
- If your parent became a citizen through naturalization — a certified copy of their original naturalization certificate
- If they became an Irish citizen from adoption by an Irish citizen living abroad — a certified copy of their original adoption certificate and adoption order
Processing Time: It is currently taking the Irish Foreign Births Register department an average of 2 years to process applications.