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How to apply for Ireland citizenship

A step-by-step guide to claiming Ireland citizenship by descent through Dept. of Foreign Affairs. Your exact documents and route are confirmed by the free eligibility check.

  1. 1

    Confirm your route

    If your parent was born in Ireland, you're already a citizen — apply directly for a passport. If your Irish-born ancestor is a grandparent (or further with an unbroken registered chain), you register on the Foreign Births Register.

  2. 2

    Gather documents

    Collect your long-form birth certificate, the Irish-born ancestor's GRO/GRONI birth certificate, and birth/marriage/death certificates for each connecting generation. Irish-origin records need no apostille; US records do.

  3. 3

    Arrange a witness

    A qualified professional who isn't a relative must countersign your form, sign the back of two photos, and certify your ID copy with the exact phrase 'Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me.'

  4. 4

    Apply online and pay

    Complete the application at fbr.dfa.ie and pay the fee (€278 adult / €153 minor, per person, non-refundable).

  5. 5

    Print, sign before your witness, and mail

    Sign the printed form in your witness's presence, then mail it with all original documents to the Dublin FBR office by tracked post; originals are returned.

  6. 6

    Wait for processing

    FBR currently runs around nine months and can stretch longer; track status on the DFA website and respond to any requests.

  7. 7

    Get your certificate, then a passport

    Once registered, apply for an Irish passport online (about €75) — you're now an Irish and EU citizen.

See if you qualify for Ireland citizenship

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Not affiliated with Dept. of Foreign Affairs or any government. A document-organization tool, not legal advice — always verify with the relevant authority.