If you are related to an Irish citizen, then you may be entitled to apply for citizenship by descent in Ireland. In order to have this right, you will still have to comply with certain requirements – first of all, you will need to prove that either parent had Irish citizenship at the moment of your birth or to prove that you have Irish grandparents (our lawyers can offer more details).
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| When can a person apply for citizenship by descent | A person can apply for citizenship by descent in Ireland if they have a parent or a grandparent /great-grandparent who is/was an Irish national. |
Forms available for citizenship by descent | Form FB1A (for adult applicants), Form FB1B (for minor applicants ) |
Application fee | EUR 278 (adult applicants), EUR 153 (minor applicants). |
| Categories of citizenship by descent | Citizenship by descent in Ireland can be obtained in the following cases: – persons born in Ireland before 31 December 2004 – automatic citizenship; – persons born in Ireland on 1 January 2005 and after – citizenship granted if one of the parents is an Irish citizen or an Irish permanent resident; – persons born outside Ireland who are the children of persons born in Ireland before 31 December 2004; – persons born outside Ireland who are the children of persons born outside Ireland entitled to Irish citizenship, and the grandchildren of persons born in Ireland before 31 December 2004; – persons born outside Ireland, who are great-grandchildren of persons born in Ireland before 31 December 2004. |
| Institution in charge with the application process | Department of Justice |
| Documents required for the application | There are many documents to prepare and they vary based on the family tie on which the person will apply for citizenship. In general, documents attesting the nationality of the Irish relative are necessary, such as marriage certificates, the birth certificate/death certificate of the Irish national, application forms, etc. |
| Dual citizenship allowed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Law regulating citizenship by descent in Ireland | The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act |
| How can an application be submitted | – by contacting an Irish embassy or consulate; – through the Foreign Birth Register; – by addressing the Citizenship Division, working under the Department of Justice. |
| Certification/authentication required (yes/no) | Yes |
| Documents to be issued after citizenship is granted | Citizenship certificate, passport book, passport card. |
| Costs of Irish identity documents | EUR 35 – passport card, EUR 100 (passport book and passport card for adults), EUR 45 (passport book and passport card for minors). A passport card is a document similar to an identity document and it is issued to persons who have a passport book (the standard passport document). |
| Validity of Irish identity documents | 10 years for passport books and 5 years for passport cards (for adults). 5 years for passport books and passport cards (for minors). |
| Passport accelerated issuance procedure (yes/no) | Yes (but only for passport renewals). |
| Law governing the issuance of Irish identity documents | Passports Act 2008 |
Table of Contents
What is the law on citizenship by descent in Ireland in 2026?
The main regulations regarding the right to citizenship by descent in Ireland are prescribed under Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1958, which can be detailed by our immigration lawyer.
What are the main categories of applicants for citizenship by descent in Ireland?
There are 2 main categories of applicants eligible for citizenship by descent in Ireland. They are:
- adult applicants;
- minor applicants.
What are the situations in which an adult individual can claim Irish citizenship by descent?
There are a few circumstances which allow individuals the right to apply for citizenship by descent in Ireland. In the list below, we present the main legal options:
- the applicant had/has an Irish born grandparent;
- the applicant had/has a parent who obtained Irish citizenship by naturalization;
- the applicant has/had a parent who registered his/her Irish citizenship through the Foreign Births Register;
- there is also the possibility of acquiring citizenship by descent in Ireland in the case in which the applicant has/had a parent who obtained Irish citizenship as an individual born abroad and adopted by an Irish national, as per the Irish laws.
How can minors acquire citizenship by descent in Ireland?
The same 4 scenarios presented above apply in this case, the major difference being that the application must be completed by the minor’s parent or legal guardian.
What is the main rule that allows children in Ireland to claim Irish citizenship?
The right to citizenship for children born on the Irish territory is decided based on the residence of the parent (or parents) and their nationality. Thus, all children who have a parent with Irish citizenship will have the right to claim the Irish nationality.
Can individuals born outside Ireland claim Irish citizenship?
Persons who were born outside Ireland are entitled to Irish citizenship as long as they have a parent or a grandparent who was an Irish national at the moment when the applicant was born. Citizenship can be acquired by registering with the Foreign Births Register, on account of Ireland citizenship through ancestry.
When is it possible to register with the Foreign Births Register?
The registration with the Foreign Birth Register is necessary for the following situations:
- the applicant had at least 1 grandparent who was born in Ireland;
- the applicant had at least 1 parent who had Irish citizenship, but who was not born in Ireland.
Are there any fees charged in connection to citizenship applications in 2026?
In 2026, the registration for citizenship and the issuance of the citizenship certificate for minor applicants costs EUR 145. Adult applicants are required to pay a fee of EUR 270 (for the issuance of the citizenship certificate).
We invite you to read our infographic if you want to apply for Irish citizenship by descent in 2026:
Can siblings complete the same citizenship application?
If there are more siblings eligible and interested in Irish citizenship by descent, they can start the application jointly. However, they need to complete separate applications that the siblings can send by using only one envelope. This is possible only as long as the siblings live in the country.
Do I need citizenship witnesses?
Yes. Please mind that if you will apply for citizenship in Ireland in 2026 through the Foreign Birth Register, the procedure requires applicants to have suitable witnesses. The witness must be a person that the applicant knows, but it is not a family member.
How long does it take to complete citizenship formalities in 2026?
It depends on the route taken by the applicant. For instance, applications made through the Foreign Births Register can be processed in a period of around 9 to 12 months (the shortest amount of time), and it can increase up to 24 months.
Below, you can watch a short video on how to obtain Irish citizenship by descent:
Can my citizenship application be rejected?
Please mind that the application can be refused due to various reasons and if so, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision or to re-apply for citizenship.
We invite you to contact our immigration lawyer in Irelandfor further information concerning the laws and formalities that must be applied by those who want to acquire citizenship by descent.
