Ireland Citizenship by Descent
If you have Irish ancestry, you may already be an Irish citizen — or you may be able to claim it through Foreign Birth Registration (FBR). This guide covers who qualifies, what documents and photos are needed, who can witness them, and the fees. Based on the official Ireland.ie / Department of Foreign Affairs guidance, September 2026.
Automatic citizenship vs registration
- If a parent was an Irish citizen born on the island of Ireland, you are generally an Irish citizen automatically — you can apply for a passport directly and do not need to register.
- Otherwise you may qualify through Foreign Birth Registration: a grandparent born on the island of Ireland, or a parent who was an Irish citizen at your birth but was not born on the island of Ireland.
- People born on the island of Ireland before 2005 are generally citizens; births from 1 January 2005 depend on the parents' nationality and residence history.
Documents
- Original, state-issued certificates for three generations — birth, marriage and death certificates as applicable.
- 4 passport-size photographs, of which 2 must be signed and dated by a witness.
- For a minor's application, 4 further photographs of the applicant are also needed.
Witness
Your witness must be someone who knows you and is not a relative, and who is an eligible professional in good standing — for example a Garda or police officer, teacher, doctor, nurse, lawyer, notary, bank manager or accountant. They must stamp the form and certify copies of your identity documents.
Fees
| 18 and over | €270 (registration + certificate) + €8 postage = €278 |
| Under 18 | €145 + €8 postage = €153 |
The €8 postage is non-refundable. Payment is online when you apply.
Processing
Once the correct paper documents are received, processing takes about 12 months. Applications that are incomplete take longer, so send everything correctly the first time.
After registration
Once registered, you can apply for an Irish passport.
Related: Ireland passport photo, how to take a passport photo, the passport photo printing guide, head size and eye line, the passport name change checklist, and the photo size chart.
Frequently asked questions
Am I already an Irish citizen?
If a parent was an Irish citizen born on the island of Ireland, you are generally an Irish citizen automatically and do not need to register. Otherwise, you may qualify through the Foreign Birth Registration.
Who can register a foreign birth?
People with a grandparent born on the island of Ireland, or with a parent who was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth but was not born on the island of Ireland.
What documents do I need?
Original state-issued certificates for three generations (birth, marriage and death certificates), plus 4 passport-size photographs, 2 of which must be signed and dated by a witness.
Who can be my witness?
Someone who knows you and is not a relative, who is an eligible professional in good standing — for example a Garda or police officer, teacher, doctor, nurse, lawyer, notary, bank manager or accountant. They must stamp the form and certify copies of your ID.
How much does it cost?
For adults 18 and over: €270 for registration and the certificate, plus €8 non-refundable postage — €278. For those under 18: €145 plus €8 — €153. You pay online.
How long does it take?
About 12 months once the correct documents are received. Incomplete applications take longer.
Source: Ireland.ie / Department of Foreign Affairs, "Registering a foreign birth" and citizenship pages — retrieved 2026-09-29. Fees and requirements change, so confirm the current position on the official page before you apply.