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Apply for Irish Citizenship through your Grandparent

Have an Irish-born grandparent? You may be eligible for Irish citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration. Join thousands who trusted us with their Irish citizenship applications.
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What is Foreign Birth Registration (FBR)?

Foreign Birth Registration is the official process through which a person born outside of Ireland can claim Irish citizenship through their parent or grandparent. If your parent or grandparent was born in Ireland, you are entitled to Irish Citizenship. Having Irish Citizenship gives you the right to an Irish passport as well as all the benefits that come with being an EU citizen.

So, let’s figure out if you can apply?

You may apply for Foreign Birth Registration if:

You were born outside of Ireland and one of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth.

You were born outside of Ireland and one of your grandparents was born in Ireland.

Where an adoption occurred, there may be eligibility through either adoptive or biological line.

Benefits of Irish Citizenship

Visa-Free Travel

Irish passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190+ countries worldwide.

Generational Citizenship

Once registered, Irish citizenship can be passed on to your children, securing their future too.

* Your parent was registered on the Foreign Births Register either before your birth, before the legislation changed on 1 July 1986, or during the transitional period up to 31 December 1986.

Live, Study & Work in the EU/UK

As an Irish citizen, you can live, work, and study freely in any EU/EEA or UK country plus you can travel freely across Europe.

*Following Brexit Irish citizens have a special status within the Common Travel Area (CTA), which includes the UK and Ireland, allowing them to live, work, and study freely in these areas without needing a visa or permission to enter and remain.

Education & Healthcare

Access world-class universities such as Trinity and ATU at. Where EU tuition rates may apply and also benefit from Ireland’s established healthcare system.

Application Process

To secure Irish Citizenship through an Irish Parent or Grandparent, the Foreign Birth Registration process involves several steps:

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Step 1 – Gather Documents: You’ll need original lineage and identification documents for yourself, your parent and your Irish born grandparent.

Step 2 – We review all documentation to establish eligibility.

Step 3 – We then prepare online application form that will go to the Department.

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Step 4 – As the client, you will need to get a hard copy of application form witnessed.

Step 5 – Our team submits this to the Department of Foreign Affairs with all original documentation outlining the eligibility of the applicant and the documentation being referenced.

Our Dedicated Immigration Team

Daireann Gibson
Managing Partner

Amanda Walsh
Partner

Helen Moakley
Senior Solicitor

Kellie McLaughlin
Solicitor

Maura Kavanagh
Solicitor

Sharon Shaw
Legal Manager

Leanne Mclean
Immigration Consultant

Megan McKeon
Immigration Consultant 

Aisling Harden
Senior Legal Support

Lorna Pyper
Senior Legal Support 

Irene Ayaru
Senior Legal Support 

Jade Mullhern
Immigration Consultant

Stacey McGrath
Legal Support

Laura Phelan
Legal Support

Kevina McFadden
Legal Support

Karley Keane
Legal Support

What Happens When an Application for FBR is Approved?

Your name is entered onto the Foreign Births Register

You have officially become an Irish Citizen from the date of registration and will be issued a Foreign Birth Registration certificate.

You can then apply for an Irish passport enclosing your Foreign Birth Certificate, giving you visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries, as well as the right to live and work anywhere in the EU.

How Gibson & Associates can help you?

Foreign Birth Registration requires original documents, certified copies, and careful preparation. Missing or incorrect paperwork often causes delays. By seeking professional legal assistance:

→ Your application will be reviewed for accuracy.

→ You’ll receive tailored guidance on required documents.

→ You’ll have support throughout the process, reducing stress and saving time.

Citizenship FAQ's

1. How long does Foreign Birth Registration take?

Processing times vary, but it can often take 6–18 months depending on the volume of applications.

2. Can I apply if my great-grandparent was Irish?

No, unfortunately the entitlement only goes back as far as your grandparent.

3. Can children be registered?

Yes, but only if their parent(s) has/have already secured Irish Citizenship through FBR.

4. Do I need to live in Ireland after approval?

No. Once you’re registered, you are an Irish citizen regardless of where you live.

5. Can I apply for an Irish passport straight away?

Yes — once your registration certificate is issued, you may apply for a passport.

6. Am I automatically an Irish citizen if my parent was born in Ireland?

Yes, you are automatically an Irish citizen if your parent was born on the Island of Ireland. Citizenship is passed directly from an Irish-born parent to their child, regardless of where the child was born. Once your citizenship entitlement is confirmed, you can apply directly for an Irish passport.

7. What documents do I need to apply for an Irish passport through my Irish-born parent?

To apply for an Irish passport through an Irish-born parent, you generally need your parent’s Irish birth certificate, your own long-form birth certificate showing your parent’s details, and valid photo identification. Additional documents may be required if names have changed.

8. Can I apply for an Irish passport if my parent is an Irish citizen but not born in Ireland?

If your parent is an Irish citizen but was not born in Ireland, you must usually register your birth in the Foreign Births Register (FBR) before applying for an Irish passport. Once registered, you become an Irish citizen and may apply for a passport.

9. Does having an Irish-born grandparent qualify me for an Irish passport?

Yes, having an Irish-born grandparent can qualify you for Irish citizenship, but you must first complete Foreign Birth Registration. After your birth is registered in the Foreign Births Register, you are recognised as an Irish citizen and can apply for an Irish passport.

10. Can my child obtain Irish citizenship through my Irish citizenship by descent?

Your child can obtain Irish citizenship through you if you were already an Irish citizen at the time of their birth.

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