Irish-born grandparent
People born abroad with an Irish-born grandparent
What you get
- An eligibility check and a document plan for each generation
- Help obtaining civil birth, marriage and death certificates
- Completion of the online FBR application
About this service
Citizenship by Descent
If you were born outside Ireland and a grandparent was born in Ireland, or a parent was an Irish citizen when you were born, you can become an Irish citizen by registering on the Foreign Births Register (FBR), run by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Applications are online, but documents for three generations must be posted and witnessed correctly, and incomplete applications are sent back. We prepare a complete, correctly witnessed application. Foreign Births Registration is the most common route to Irish citizenship for people with Irish roots abroad. Applications are often returned for missing certificates or incorrect witnessing, which can add months, so we check everything before you post it.
€1229
Fixed fee
4
Areas we cover
6
Documents to prepare
5
Simple steps
Who it's for
Who this is for
Whether you're moving, hiring, staying or starting over, this is the place to begin.
Irish citizen parent
People born abroad whose parent was an Irish citizen (but not born in Ireland) at the time of their birth
Families
Families registering children born abroad
At a glance
Eligibility
01
Grandparent route
A grandparent born on the island of Ireland
02
Parent route
A parent who was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, for example through naturalisation or Foreign Births Registration before you were born
03
Already Irish
If a parent was born on the island of Ireland, you're already Irish and don't need to register
04
Civil documents
You can provide civil documents linking each generation
Our promise
What's included
Citizenship by Descent
€1229
Before you start
Documents you'll need
Tick each item as you gather it. Bring whichever apply to you.
Your preparation checklist
0 of 6 ready
Tap items as you go
You're fully prepared. Let's get you booked in.
5-step journey
How it works
- 1Step 1
We confirm your eligibility and map the documents.
- 2Step 2
You gather the certificates, and we check them.
- 3Step 3
We complete the online FBR application with you, and you pay the fee.
- 4Step 4
You have the form witnessed and post the documents to the address on the form.
- Step 5
Once registered, you receive your Foreign Birth Certificate and can apply for an Irish passport.
Good to know
Our fee
€1,229 VAT included. Government fees are separate.
Government fees
€278 for adults and €153 for under-18s (including €8 postage and handling).
Processing time
About 12 months, in strict date order.
Date of citizenship
You become an Irish citizen on the date you're entered on the register, not on your date of birth.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Irish citizenship by descent lets people born outside Ireland claim Irish citizenship through their family. If one of your parents was born on the island of Ireland, you're already an Irish citizen and don't need to register. If a grandparent was born on the island of Ireland, or a parent was an Irish citizen, but not born in Ireland, when you were born, you can become an Irish citizen by registering on the Foreign Births Register (FBR), run by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Applications are made online, and the documents are then posted. The application needs civil documents linking each generation: your birth certificate, your parent's and grandparent's birth and marriage certificates, and ID or death certificates. It also needs a certified copy of your photo ID, two proofs of address and four photos, and the form must be signed and stamped by a witness who knows you personally, isn't a relative and works in a listed profession. Incomplete applications are returned. The fee is €278 for adults and €153 for under-18s, including postage and handling, and processing currently takes about 12 months, in strict date order. You become a citizen on the date you're entered on the register, not your date of birth, so children born before your registration can't register through you. Once you're registered, you can apply for an Irish passport.
No. You must wait until you're registered and have your Foreign Birth Certificate.
Children born after your registration can register through you. Children born before it can't.
Yes. Birth on the island of Ireland includes Northern Ireland.
Yes. If you're not on the register when your baby is born, the baby won't be entitled to Irish citizenship through you.
Irish civil records can usually be searched. We'll help you find the right record, or the alternative evidence you need.
Ready when you are
Get started with Citizenship by Descent
€1229
€1229
Citizenship by Descent