Registering a foreign birth
Frequently asked questions about foreign birth registration
Applying for a replacement Foreign Birth Registration Certificate
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The Foreign Births Register is for persons who can apply to become Irish citizens through their Irish-born grandparents or their parent who was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth, but was not born in Ireland.
Find out what you need to do before you begin your online application using the guidelines below.
Eligibility
You are automatically an Irish citizen if one of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, and was born on the island of Ireland. You don't need to apply to become an Irish citizen in this case.
If you were born outside of Ireland, you can become an Irish citizen if:
- One of your grandparents was born in Ireland, or;
- One of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, even though they were not born in Ireland.
In these cases, you can become an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration.
Once a person is entered onto the Foreign Births Register they are an Irish citizen and entitled to apply for an Irish passport.
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Adult applicant
Adult applicant applying on the basis of an Irish born Grandparent
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate original proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) – do not attach these to the application form
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
Documents relating to the grandparent born in Ireland (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish born grandparent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish born grandparent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
Adult applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through Naturalisation
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate original proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) – do not attach these to the application form
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Original Irish Naturalisation Certificate
Adult applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through entry on the Foreign Births Register
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate original proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) – do not attach these to the application form
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Original Foreign Birth Registration Certificate
Adult applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through Post Nuptial Citizenship Declaration
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate original proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) – do not attach these to the application form
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Original Post Nuptial Citizenship Certificate
Adult applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen on the basis of being born abroad and adopted under Irish law by an Irish citizen
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate original proofs of address
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) – do not attach these to the application form
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original adoption certificate and adoption order of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Original proof of Irish citizenship at the date of adoption coming into effect
Documents relating to the grandparent born in Ireland (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish born grandparent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish born grandparent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
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Minor applicant
Minor applicant applying on the basis of an Irish born Grandparent
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- Letter from school, family doctor or other relevant source on headed paper which includes the minor’s address.
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) – do not attach these to the application form
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
Application made by Irish citizen parent on behalf of a minor
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate proofs of address for Irish citizen parent
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of Irish citizen parent
Application made by non-Irish citizen guardian on behalf of a minor
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) of Irish citizen parent OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of declarant (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate proofs of address for declarant
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of declarant
- Proof of guardianship/ parental responsibility for declarant (if not named as a parent on the applicant’s birth certificate)
Documents relating to the grandparent born in Ireland (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish born grandparent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish born grandparent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
Minor applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through Naturalisation
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- Letter from school, family doctor or other relevant source on headed paper which includes the minor’s address.
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed)
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
Application made by Irish citizen parent on behalf of a minor
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Original Irish Naturalisation Certificate
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate proofs of address for Irish citizen parent
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of Irish citizen parent
Application made by non-Irish citizen guardian on behalf of a minor
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) of Irish citizen parent OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Original Irish Naturalisation Certificate of Irish citizen parent
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of declarant (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate proofs of address for declarant
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of declarant
- Proof of guardianship/ parental responsibility for declarant (if not named as a parent on the applicant’s birth certificate)
Minor applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through entry on the Foreign Births Register
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- Letter from school, family doctor or other relevant source on headed paper which includes the minor’s address.
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed)
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
Application made by Irish citizen parent on behalf of a minor
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Original Foreign Birth Registration Certificate
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate proofs of address for Irish citizen parent
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of Irish citizen parent
Application made by non-Irish citizen guardian on behalf of a minor
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) of Irish citizen parent OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Original Foreign Birth Registration Certificate of Irish citizen parent
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of declarant (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate proofs of address for declarant
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of declarant
- Proof of guardianship/ parental responsibility for declarant (if not named as a parent on the applicant’s birth certificate)
Minor applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through Post Nuptial Citizenship Declaration
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- Letter from school, family doctor or other relevant source on headed paper which includes the minor’s address.
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed)
Documents relating to the Irish citizen parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
Application made by Irish citizen parent on behalf of a minor
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Original Post Nuptial Certificate
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate proofs of address for Irish citizen parent
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of Irish citizen parent
Application made by non-Irish citizen guardian on behalf of a minor
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) of Irish citizen parent OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Original Post Nuptial Certificate of Irish citizen parent
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of declarant (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- 2 separate proofs of address for declarant
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of declarant
- Proof of guardianship/ parental responsibility for declarant (if not named as a parent on the applicant’s birth certificate)
Minor applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen on the basis of being born abroad and adopted under Irish law by an Irish citizen
Documents relating to the applicant (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Completed, signed and witnessed application form (see list of witnesses at 1 above)
- Original civil birth certificate (showing parental details)
- Change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
- Letter from school, family doctor or other relevant source on headed paper which includes the minor’s address.
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed)
Documents relating to the parent (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
Application made by Irish citizen parent on behalf of a minor
- Original adoption certificate and adoption order of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish citizen parent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Certified Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) or civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Original proof of Irish citizenship at the date of adoption coming into effect
- 2 separate proofs of address for Irish citizen parent
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of Irish citizen parent
Application made by non-Irish citizen guardian on behalf of a minor
- Original adoption certificate and adoption order of Irish citizen parent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) of Irish citizen parent OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Certified Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of Irish citizen parent (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) or civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Certified Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document of declarant (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) or civil death certificate (if applicable)
- Original proof of Irish citizenship at the date of adoption coming into effect
- 2 separate proofs of address for declarant
- 4 colour photographs (2 of which to be witnessed) of declarant
- Proof of guardianship/ parental responsibility for declarant (if not named as a parent on the applicant’s birth certificate)
Documents relating to the grandparent born in Ireland (unless stated, originals must be submitted):
- Original civil birth certificate of Irish born grandparent (showing parental details)
- Original civil marriage certificate of Irish born grandparent (if applicable) OR other change of name document (if applicable)
- Photocopy of current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) certified as a true copy of the original by a professional from the list of witnesses OR original civil death certificate (if applicable)
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Photos
You need to submit four passport-sized photographs with your application.
Your witness must sign and date two of these photographs.
If you're applying on behalf of a minor, you also need to submit four passport-sized photographs of yourself. They should also be signed and dated by you and your witness.
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Witnesses
Before you send your application form to the relevant office, you must have it witnessed by an appropriate person who is personally know to you but is not a relation.
The same witness should witness the form and two of the photographs and use their official stamp on the form. They should also certify a photocopy of the applicant's state-issued photographic identity document as a true copy of the original.
If the witness does not have an official stamp you should supply a business card for them.
Who can witness the application form and photographs?
The witness can be one of the following, who is personally known to you and currently practicing in their profession:
- Garda Síochána/ Police Officer
- School Principal/ Vice Principal/ Teacher/ School Secretary/ Pre-school Manager/ Montessori Teacher/ Lecturer
- Member of Clergy
- Medical Doctor
- Nurse
- Physiotherapist
- Speech Therapist
- Pharmacist
- Dentist
- Lawyer
- Notary Public/ Commissioner for Oaths
- Peace Commissioner
- Bank Manager/ Assistant Bank Manager or Credit Union Manager or Assistant Manager
- Accountant
- Elected Public Representative
- Vet
- Chartered Engineer
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Fees
- Registration plus Certificate: €270
- Non-refundable postage and handling fee: €8
- Total: €278
Under 18 years of age
- Registration plus Certificate: €145
- Non-refundable postage and handling fee: €8
- Total: €153
Payment methods
- Payment is made online when you enter your application.
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Apply online
You should gather all the required documents prior to completing the online form. Incomplete applications will be returned to you and not processed.
Were either of your parents born on the island of Ireland?
If you were born outside Ireland to a parent born on the island of Ireland, you are already an Irish citizen and may apply for an Irish passport.
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Notes on application
If an expectant parent is not on the Foreign Births Register when the child is born, the child will not be entitled to Irish citizenship.
Applications for Foreign Birth Registration are processed in strict date order. This process is currently taking approximately 9 months.
If you are an expectant parent and your child may be born before your application is processed in line with the timeline above, you may contact the Passport Service Customer Service Hub on +353 1 568 3331 to make an urgent request.
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Frequently asked questions about foreign birth registration
What is Foreign Birth Registration?
You are automatically an Irish citizen if one of your parents was an Irish citizen and was born in Ireland. You don’t need to apply to become an Irish citizen in this case.
If you were born outside of Ireland, you can become an Irish citizen if:
One of your grandparents was born on the island of Ireland, or;
One of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, even though they were not born on the island of Ireland
In these cases, you can become an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration.
Once a person is entered onto the Foreign Births Register they are an Irish citizen and entitled to apply for an Irish passport.
Who can apply for Foreign Birth Registration?
People with a grandparent born on the island of Ireland
If your grandparent was born on the island of Ireland, your parent was born outside Ireland, and you were born outside Ireland, you can apply for entry on to the Foreign Births Register.
People with a grandparent born outside Ireland, but with a parent who is an Irish citizen.
If your parent became an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration or Naturalisation prior to your birth and you were born outside Ireland, you can apply for Foreign Birth Registration.
General queries
How long does it take to process my application?
Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, it takes approximately 9 months to process a completed Foreign Birth Registration application. If you are an expectant parent applying to be entered on the Foreign Birth Register, you should mark this clearly on your application.
Have you received my application and documentation?
We advise you to send your application by recorded post so that you can track its delivery, as we do not acknowledge receipt of post.
What is the current status of my application?
Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, it takes approximately 9 months to process a completed Foreign Birth Registration application. If we require further documentation, we will contact you.
Do you return all of my certificates?
Yes. At the end of the process we will return all your original certificates to the address on your application form.
Should I send a prepaid envelope for return of my documentation?
No, all your documentation will be returned by recorded mail – you will have to sign for the package.
Can I bring my application to your office in person?
No, we do not have a public office. Applications must be sent by post to the address given on your printed application form.
Can I apply for an Irish passport at the same time as applying for Foreign Birth Registration?
No, you cannot apply for an Irish passport until you are an Irish citizen.
What name will be printed on my FBR certificate?
Your FBR certificate will feature your name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate. If you have changed your name since birth you may still get an Irish passport in the name you use by providing the appropriate documentation.
Further details on how to apply for a passport that will show a new name can be found here. Similarly, your Irish citizen parent's name on your FBR certificate will be exactly as it appears on their birth certificate.
Application form
Where can I get an application form?
The application form is online only - there is no physical application form.
How much does it cost to apply?
The fees are €278.00 Euros for over 18s and €153 Euros for under 18s – these fees include postage for return of your certificates. The fee is paid online when you are completing your application form.
Who can witness my application?
A list of the professions which can witness an application is included on the application form.
Documentation required
Which documents do I need to submit with my application?
A list of the documentation that you would need to submit with your application can be found on our Registering a Foreign Birth page.
Can I send my child’s FBR application and my passport application to the Department of Foreign Affairs in the same envelope?
You should not include passport applications in the envelope with a Foreign Births Registration application as these applications are not processed in the same office. All documents (including the FBR application) will be returned to you to allow you to submit them correctly.
My Grandparent was born before 1864, when Irish civil birth registrations began – what other documents can I supply?
We can accept your grandparent’s Baptismal certificate in this instance.
My parent/grandparent was adopted – which additional documents do I need to supply?
For an Irish-born person who was adopted: we will require an adoption certificate, issued by the central authority in the country in which the adoption took place along with the other required documents (including the original longform Irish birth certificate).
If you are applying through an adoptive grandparent or parent, and not through a biological link, you may wish to contact us directly.
What is a certified document?
A certified document is one that has been signed and dated by a recognised person or organisation as a true copy or translation of the original.
The following may qualify to make a certified copy of your document:
- Organisation or authority that issued your original document
- Solicitor/Barrister
- Notary
- Commissioner of Oaths
- Post Office Service
A document will be considered certified/notarised where the following procedure has been adhered to:
- Ask the person or organisation you have contacted to create a copy or translation of your document.
Then ask them to:
- Write 'Certified to be a true copy/translation of the original seen by me' on the document.
- Sign and date the document.
- Print their name under the signature.
- Add their occupation, address and telephone number.
- Attach their stamp/seal, business card, or include their professional register reference number.
Other questions
My Grandfather was born in Ireland but neither of my parents have Irish Passports. Am I entitled to apply for Irish citizenship?
Yes. An application for Irish citizenship through Foreign Births Registration can be submitted by any person with a grandparent born on the island of Ireland.
I have Irish citizenship through Foreign Births Registration. Can my children now also be registered as Irish citizens?
If your children were born after your entry onto the Foreign Births Register then they too are eligible to apply for entry on the register.
If your children were born before you were registered, they are not eligible to apply as you were not an Irish citizen at the time of their birth.
I am an Irish citizen who lives abroad. Can I obtain proof of Irish citizenship?
An Irish passport is proof of your Irish citizenship. Details of how to obtain a passport living abroad are available here. If you are a Foreign Birth Registration applicant you will require your Foreign Birth Certificate before you apply for a passport.
Can my sibling and I apply for Foreign Birth Registration jointly?
Yes, you can use the same set of papers and supporting documents for both applications. Just enclose the two separate application forms in one envelope and send it to us with a letter saying that some of the documents apply to both applications. This only applies if you are resident in the same country when applying.
I already am a citizen through FBR. Can I now apply for FBR in my preferred gender?
Yes, this is now facilitated under the Gender Recognition of Foreign Births Regulations 2017. If you have already been registered, you can apply in your preferred gender (on the Register of Gender Recognition of Foreign Births) as long as you have a valid Irish Gender Recognition certificate. Please see the Gender Recognition page for more information.
I have amended my birth certificate – will you accept this?
Yes. You can apply as normal with an amended birth certificate, as long as it is issued by the state authority.
Can I check if someone has registered under a new gender?
Members of the public are not entitled to determine if someone has been entered in the Register of Gender Recognition of Foreign Births – only specific individuals with a familial link to the person entered on the register under the Gender Recognition of Foreign Births Regulations 2017, will be allowed to request an extract of the register.