Applications based on Irish descent or Irish associations

Here you can read about obtaining Irish citizenship based on Irish descent or association. Please read below about this type of application.

Persons born outside of Ireland who have an Irish national grandparent born in Ireland may obtain Irish citizenship through registration in the Foreign Births Register which is maintained by Department of Foreign Affairs.

In the interests of clarity and transparency officials in ISD have developed guidelines which can be consulted by those making applications on the basis of Irish Associations under Section 16(1)(a) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. The guidelines will provide greater clarity to applicants regarding the rationale applied by the Minister in considering such applications and in making a decision. The guidelines are available HERE.

All Irish Associations applications pending a decision will be assessed according to these guidelines. Applicants who wish to provide further information to support their applications are invited to do so by registering on our Customer Service Portal. However officials will be writing to all applicants over the coming weeks inviting further submissions.

Generally for Irish Association cases there is a requirement to undertake enhanced enquiries, including with third countries, such checks will include identity and financial checks (anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing), accordingly the processing time vary considerable.

At present Irish association cases are taking in excess of 30 months to process.