Irish Citizenship By Descent
APPLYING FOR Ireland CITIZENSHIp by descent
Who is eligible to apply for Irish citizenship by descent?
You might qualify for Irish citizenship by descent if you can show a direct family lineage from you to an Irish ancestor, usually a parent or grandparent.
If one of your parents is an Irish citizen, through birth, ancestry, or being listed in the Foreign Births Register, you could be eligible for Irish citizenship. If your parent was born in Ireland, you’re considered an Irish citizen automatically.
For grandparental connections, if one of your grandparents is an Irish citizen, either born in Ireland or registered in the Foreign Births Register, you could claim Irish citizenship. However, having an Irish grandparent doesn’t make you a citizen right away; you’ll need to apply for citizenship by descent with Ireland.
To claim Irish nationality by descent based on your parents, grandparents, or great grandparents you’ll need the proper documents to prove these family ties and meet all of the legal requirements to successfully apply.
Remember, having an Irish parent, grandparent, or great grandparent does not automatically grant you citizenship. Instead, you’ll need to go through the application process for citizenship by descent with Ireland.
Do you qualify for Ireland citizenship by descent?
Irish citizenship can be passed down to an individual with an Irish parent, grandparent, or, in some cases, even great-grandparent. Ireland allows for dual citizenship, so if you qualify, you can enjoy the benefits that come with Ireland dual citizenship, such as the ability to live, work, and study in Ireland, the greater UK, and even the EU. (Always check your own country’s requirements with dual citizenship).
Furthermore, you can then pass on your citizenship to your minor and/or future children. It then secures the Irish heritage line for all future generations. The application is submitted first online through the Irish Foreign Births Register, then a physical copy is signed and mailed to the correct office for your jurisdiction.
How to Get Irish Dual Citizenship by Descent through a Parent or Grandparent
If you’re a US citizen with an Irish grandparent, you may qualify to apply for Ireland citizenship by descent, but only if your grandparent was born in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Claiming Irish citizenship through a great-grandparent is a bit more complex. It’s can be successful under certain circumstances:
- Your great-grandparent was born in Ireland.
- Your parent became an Irish citizen because their grandparent (your great-grandparent) was Irish.
- Your parent was already an Irish citizen by the time you were born. This applies if you were born after 1986 or if your parent obtained their Irish citizenship between 1956 and 1986.
To make your claim for Irish dual citizenship by descent, you’d need to register with the Irish Foreign Births Register.
But remember, having Irish ancestry further back than your grandparents doesn’t automatically give you a right to Irish citizenship. And, you can’t claim Ireland citizenship by descent just because you have other Irish family members, like aunts, cousins, or uncles. If none of your parents or grandparents were Irish citizens when you were born, then getting citizenship through ancestry might not be an option for you.
Irish Citizenship by Descent through Great Grandparent (by Association)
Although the laws for Irish citizenship by descent do not allow you to claim citizenship through anyone other than a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent (and the latter only under special conditions), you can apply for Irish citizenship by association through other Irish family members than those mentioned.
Note that citizenship in such cases is not guaranteed and is up to the discretion of the Minister for Justice. Furthermore, you must also have demonstrated a strong connection to Ireland. Also, applications based on “ascent” (e.g. having an Irish child), as well as those involving someone further back than a great grandparent, are usually refused. Contact our team for a free phone consultation of review the details of your case.
Categories of Irish Citizenship
Categories To Assist In Determining Eligibility for Irish Nationality by Descent
The following categories will help you determine if you qualify for dual nationality with Ireland. If you meet one of the categories below, you most likely qualify for Irish citizenship. Of course, if you have any questions about your specific case, contact us for a consultation at (213) 658-6833.
Category 1
You were born in Ireland before January 1, 2005.
Category 2
You were born in Ireland on or after January 1, 2005 and at least one parent is Irish or British or otherwise legally allowed to reside in Ireland, including foreign nationals who had resided in Ireland 3 out of the 4 years before your birth.
Category 3
You were born outside of Ireland to a parent who is an Irish citizen.
Category 4
You were born outside of Ireland and have a grandparent who was born in Ireland.
Category 5
You were born outside of Ireland and have a great-grandparent who was born in Ireland and your parent had registered his/her Irish citizenship before you were born.
Obtaining Irish Citizenship through Adoption
Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act of 1956, a child from another country adopted by an Irish citizen, or a couple where at least one partner is Irish, becomes eligible for citizenship by meeting the Irish citizenship requirements.
For Irish citizens adopting a child while living outside of Ireland, it’s important to register the adoption in the Register of Intercountry Adoptions. Once registered, the adoption is treated with the same legal standing as an adoption carried out in Ireland itself.
Irish citizens who are in the United States and are recognizing a foreign adoption must follow specific immigration steps. To have the adopted child enter Ireland, prior immigration approval from the Ireland Department of Justice is necessary.
This approval is contingent on the adoptive parents having completed an assessment process successfully and receiving a favorable declaration from the Adoption Authority of Ireland, a process known as an intercountry adoption.
Restrictions
It is important to note that if you fall into Category 5 and want to claim Irish dual citizenship by descent under an Irish great-grandparent, you can only do so upon meeting very specific criteria. Your great-grandparent had to have been born in Ireland. And your parent must have acquired Irish citizenship from this person before your birth, or between the years 1956 and 1986. These applications also must be sent to the Department of Justice.
Also, if you live in the U.S., Canada, the UK, or Australia and you are registering with the Irish Foreign Births Register, your physical application must be sent to Dublin. The embassies and consulates in these countries do not handle requests for Ireland citizenship by descent.
How long does it take to process my Irish Citizenship by descent application?
The Department of Foreign Affairs handles Foreign Birth Registration applications in the order they’re received. Generally, the processing time for Ireland citizenship by descent is around 9 months, but this can vary.
If you fall into one of the following categories, you might qualify for expedited processing as an urgent case:
- You don’t have citizenship in any country (stateless).
- You’re expecting a baby who won’t be eligible for Irish citizenship if you don’t register before the birth.
- You’re expecting a baby who won’t be eligible for citizenship in their country of birth, leaving them stateless.
To ensure your application is processed smoothly, make sure you meet all of the Irish citizenship requirements and submit all necessary documents, properly witnessed by a qualified individual. Missing or incorrect documentation can cause delays, require further information, or even necessitate a new application. If it’s discovered that you’ve intentionally provided false information, your Ireland citizenship application could be denied, and you might be barred from future applications for Irish citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Irish citizenship by descent?
Irish citizenship by descent is the right to claim Irish citizenship on the basis of having a parent, grandparent, or, in special cases, a great-grandparent who was an Irish citizen. There are also some cases in which an individual can claim Irish citizenship through another family member, but these are rare.
Do I qualify for Irish dual citizenship?
If you have an Irish parent or grandparent, you most likely qualify for citizenship. If you have an Irish great-grandparent, you may qualify for Ireland citizenship. If you have questions regarding your eligibility or need to understand the Irish citizenship requirements, we’re here to help assess your case.
Can I get Irish citizenship through my mother?
Yes, provided that your mother was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth. Otherwise, you might be able to apply through a grandparent or great-grandparent.
Can I get Irish citizenship through my father?
Yes, provided that your father was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth. Otherwise, you might be able to apply through a grandparent or great-grandparent.
Can you get Irish citizenship through grandparents?
If your grandparent was born in Ireland, yes, you are most likely entitled to Ireland dual citizenship.
Can I become an Irish citizen if my great grandparents were Irish?
Qualifying through a great-grandparent falls under Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, and is considered an application based on Irish descent or Irish association. Decisions are made at the Minister’s discretion and this discretion is used very rarely. These cases fall under the category of citizenship by naturalization, where there are other eligibility requirements, including residency in Ireland.
How many generations are allowed for Irish citizenship by descent?
Irish citizenship can be obtained only if one has an Irish parent or from a grandparent born in Ireland. It is not possible to claim Irish citizenship if you do not meet one of these conditions.
How many generations back can you claim Irish citizenship?
Irish citizenship by descent has a two-generation limit, meaning individuals born outside Ireland may qualify for Irish citizenship if one of their parents or grandparents was born in Ireland or a parent was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth. You can also apply for Irish citizenship through great grandparents through association.
How to get Irish citizenship by descent?
To claim Irish citizenship by descent, your birth must be registered in the Foreign Births Register. Applications are submitted online as well as all supporting documents pertaining to your birth and Irish lineage.
How do I get Irish citizenship by descent?
Applications to the Foreign Birth Register for citizenship by descent are submitted online along with supporting documents proving Irish lineage. If the documentation is suitable and correct, it will generally take about 9 months to 1 year to receive the certificate of citizenship.
How can I apply for Irish citizenship?
You will need to submit an application for Irish nationality by descent online to the Irish Foreign Births Register, as well as a physical application to your local Irish embassy or consulate, or directly to the Dublin office if you live in the U.S., UK, Australia, or Canada.
How much does it cost to get Irish citizenship by descent?
The registration fee and certificate cost for a citizenship by descent application is €270 when completed online. There is also a non-refundable postage and handling fee of €8. For those under the age of 18, the cost of registration and certificate is €145, plus the non-refundable postage and handling fee of €8.
Can you claim Irish citizenship through DNA?
You cannot claim Irish citizenship through genetic testing. You may qualify for Irish citizenship by descent only if your parent or grandparent was born in Ireland or was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth which is proven through vital records.
Does Irish citizenship allow me to live in the EU?
Yes, having dual nationality with Ireland allows you to live, work, and study anywhere in the 27 EU member states.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
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Contact Us
There are many ways to qualify for Ireland citizenship by descent. Contact us at (213) 658-6833 to learn if you qualify.
