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Persons born abroad whose parents were also born abroad but who have an Irish-born grandparent may become Irish citizens but they must do so through Foreign Birth Registration (FBR).

For individuals applying for registration, the usual situation is one where citizenship derives from an Irish-born grandparent. In such cases, it is necessary to provide documentary evidence of the link between the applicant and the Irish-born grandparent, (i.e. birth certificates, marriage certificates for each generation).

Please also note that unless one or more of the lines of descent has acquired Irish citizenship in some other way (e.g. though birth in Ireland or marriage to an Irish citizen or naturalisation), citizenship cannot be acquired through a great grandparent born in Ireland when all descendants have been born outside Ireland. Thus, children claiming Irish citizenship through an Irish born great-grandparent are not eligible for Irish citizenship.

Since 1 July, 1986 a person registered in the Foreign Births Entry Book after 1986 is deemed to be an Irish citizen only from the date of his/her entry in the Register and not from the date of birth. This means that children born to that person before his/her date of entry in the Register are not entitled to citizenship.

Persons registered before July 1986 are deemed Irish citizens either from the date the original Citizenship Act came into force, i.e. 17 July 1956, or their date of birth, whichever is later. Only children born after 17 July 1956 can claim citizenship in such cases.

To apply for FBR, the following original documents are required - no photocopies will be accepted.

Documents relating to the Applicant

• Full civil birth certificate (giving details of parents)
• Civil marriage certificate, if applicable
• Copy of current passport or identity document, if applicable

Documents relating to the Parent

• Full civil birth certificate (giving details of parents)
• Civil marriage certificate
• If living, copy of passport or identity document, otherwise a death certificate

If applicable, ONE of the following:

1. Foreign Birth Registration certificate
2. Naturalisation certificate
3. Post-Nuptial Citizenship declaration
4. Adoption certificate

Documents relating to the Grandparent born in Ireland, if applicable

• Full civil birth certificate (giving details of parents) if born after 1864. A baptism certificate is accepted only if born before 1864, or, if later, with a search certificate from the Irish Registrar of Births showing that no civil birth registration exists
• Civil marriage certificate
• If living, copy of passport, identity document, or pension book, otherwise a death certificate

We regret that we do not provide photocopying services at the Consulate.

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