Irish Citizenship
Ireland is the perfect place to set up home and put down roots, but making an application for Irish citizenship can be difficult. Our expert immigration solicitors will take care of the hard work for you to ensure your application puts you in the strongest possible position.
We have a team of friendly and specialist solicitors who can help you to work out if you are eligible for Irish citizenship or naturalisation. If you are, we will manage the entire application process on your behalf, making sure it’s quick and hassle-free. If Irish citizenship isn’t an option for you right now, we will work with you to explore alternative ways to help you stay in Ireland.
Don’t delay, please call us now on +353 (0)1 264 5555 or complete our Online Enquiry and we’ll be delighted to help you.
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What are the Requirements to Becoming an Irish Citizen?
Irish citizenship opens the door to a life in Ireland, as well as the opportunity to travel and work freely throughout the 27 countries in the European Union. To become an Irish citizen, there are certain requirements:
- You need to be at least 18 years old (or married if you are under 18) unless you are a minor born in the Republic of Ireland after 1st January 2005
- You are of good character – any criminal records and ongoing proceedings will be taken into consideration during the application process
- You have lived in Ireland for a year before the date of your application for Irish citizenship, and have lived in the state for at least four years out of the last eight years – i.e. you should have lived in Ireland for a total of five years of the last nine
- You intend to continue to live in Ireland after naturalisation
- You will make a declaration of fidelity to the nation and a declaration of loyalty to the state, observing the laws of the state and respecting its democratic values
Other Rules Related to Eligibility for Irish Citizenship
You may also be eligible for Irish citizenship if:
- You are of Irish descent or a parent or guardian applying on behalf of a minor who is of Irish descent
- You were born in Ireland
- You are a naturalised parent applying on behalf of a child
- You are the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen or naturalised person
- You have been a resident abroad in the public service
- You are recognised as a refugee or a stateless person
The first step in applying for Irish citizenship or naturalisation is to fill in the relevant application form. Bank drafts are the only acceptable method of payment – postal orders are no longer accepted. As part of your application, you will need to provide the following important information:
- Any current and expired passports valid during the period of residence in Ireland along with a certified copy of the biometric page of your current passport
- Copies of your p60s for each year of residence in Ireland to provide evidence of employment
- Three forms of proof of address for each year of residence in Ireland, for example:
- A mortgage/rent agreement
- Any household bills (e.g. gas, electricity, phone or TV)
- Bank statements
- Revenue letters
- Social welfare
- Letters from employment
If you are making an application for a child, a copy of their passport and birth certificate must be submitted with the application. Letters from schools and their doctor are also required to confirm the child’s residence in Ireland.
You should also make sure to maintain your Irish Resident Permit (IRP) by renewing it on time. Any delays may create gaps in your residence permission history, meaning it may not be seen as continuous and your application for citizenship or naturalisation may be turned down.
When an Irish Citizenship Application is Approved, what happens next?
When an application for Irish citizenship is approved, the Citizenship Division will write to the applicant to notify them that the Minister for Justice has deemed them as a suitable applicant to be granted citizenship or naturalisation. You will then be required to submit two passport photographs, a bank draft to the sum of €950 and your original IRP.
Applicants who have been granted refugee status will be asked to submit their original travel document in addition to the above.
The letter following application approval will also ask you to confirm the following details to ensure that the correct details are recorded on your certificate:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Nationality
Once you have submitted the required documents, you will be invited by post to attend a citizenship ceremony. Here, you will swear an oath of fidelity to the state and receive your certificate. From the date of the citizenship ceremony, you will be an Irish citizen.
After receiving citizenship, we would recommend you apply for your Irish passport as soon as possible, particularly if you are planning on travelling. First-time applicants must submit a paper-based application to the Passport Office using an APS 1E form – these are available at any An Post post office, garda station or the Passport Offices in Cork and Dublin.