For those of you who have considered dual Irish citizenship through marriage, but have, for whatever reason, rejected Colin Farrell and Liam Neeson’s proposals, you will need to find another way to honor your Irish family heritage. I would venture to suggest seeking dual Irish citizenship by descent, also known as jus sanguinis, Latin for “law of the blood”, or roughly translated as “You are considered Irish if your parents or grandparents were Irish.” Why does this break the rope? Are you interested in knowing who your ancestors were in Ireland? Irish genealogy begins by tracing ancestry, so let’s start down the road to the Emerald Isle.
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re one of the 34 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry, you may feel an ancient pull from the Land of Saints and Scholars. What better time than now to delve into your Irish genealogy. Considering the interest of people tracing ancestry and seeking dual Irish citizenship by descent, it is clear that the spirit and blood of Ireland runs through the veins of many American citizens.
In a country of just 4.5 million people, Ireland has come together as a country to call the descendants of its diaspora home. Different Irish genealogy organizations are spearheading projects to attract Irish descendants to the island. The Ireland Reaching Out Program (also known as “Ireland XO”) started as an Irish genealogy pilot project a couple of years ago, and is now the driving force behind calling Ireland’s ancestors home. The influx of visitors and dual citizens is expected to increase tourism and boost the Irish economy.
Once you decide to expand your geographic borders by tracing ancestry, but before you begin the process of applying for Irish citizenship by descent, you’ll want to check the Irish Embassy website of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs for a list of the US consulates to find which one oversees your state.
For the purpose of this article, I have referenced the “Instructions and Documents Required for Citizenship by Descent (Overseas Birth Registration)” found on the Consulate General of Ireland/Boston website to obtain the necessary documentation to apply for dual citizenship by descent.
If you were not born on Irish soil and choose to find your ancestors and establish dual citizenship through descent, you must first apply for the Foreign Birth Register (FBR). You can now submit an FBR form (known as ‘naisiun) online. In addition to completing an FB1A application and having a witness, you must also submit the following documentation if you are applying for dual citizenship by descent.
GRANDFATHER
1. irish birth certificate (full, long form).
two. Marriage certificate. You must include the details of the bride and groom (full names, places of birth, ages/dates of birth, parents’ names and, if possible, parents’ places of birth) along with the date and place of the ceremony.
3. Death certificate. If the grandparent is still living, please submit a certified copy of the grandparent’s current Irish or US passport or their original US naturalization certificate. The authenticated copy of the passport can be signed by your witness or notarized.
dad
Four. Birth certificate (full, long form) showing grandparents’ names, birthplaces, and ages at birth.
5. Marriage certificate. You must include the details of the bride and groom (full names, places of birth, ages/dates of birth, parents’ names and, if possible, parents’ places of birth) along with the date and place of the ceremony.
6. Death certificate. If the father is living, please submit a certified copy of the father’s current identification (current driver’s license or passport). This certified copy may be signed by your witness or notarized. Do not mail the original ID.
APPLICANT
7. Overseas Birth Registration Application (completed and witnessed).
8. Two recent identical passport photoswhich must be signed and dated on the back by the witness completing Section E.
9. Birth certificate (full, long form) showing parents’ names, birthplaces, and ages at birth.
10 Name change documentation (if it is applicable). This may include a marriage certificate in case the name was changed at the time of the marriage, or a legal name change document issued by the courts.
eleven Authenticated copy of your valid photo ID (state driver’s license or US passport only). Photo ID must be presented for all applicants, regardless of age. This certified copy may be signed by your witness or notarized. Do not mail the original ID.
12 Two original proofs of residence. at the address on the application. Acceptable proof of residency includes utility bills (gas, electric, cable, telephone, cell phone, etc.), credit card bills, or bank statements. For applicants under the age of 18, proof of residency may include the names of the parents in place of the applicant. Driver’s licenses are not acceptable proof of residency; they are only accepted as photo identification.
And lastly, you will need to include the appropriate fee. You can find the most current rates and payment options on the FBR website. Please note that the process to obtain dual Irish citizenship can take up to a year and a half.
important tips
- The Irish Consulate General emphasizes that all certificates submitted must be original civil certificates (namelystate-issued, state-certified copies with the embossed seal of the issuing authority).
- All supporting documents must be originals or notarized copies.
- Do not send original passports, driver’s licenses or important IDs (send notarized copies).
Key websites for useful information
- Embassy of Ireland / USA
- Foreign Birth Registration
- Irish Department of Justice and Equality
- Irish Department of Foreign Affairs
- Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act
- The Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service includes information on visas, immigration, citizenship, asylum and repatriation
If you’re telling yourself, That’s a lot of documentation! Are you okay. And due to the seriousness of the situation, the documentation has to be official and accurate. To be sure, there are some genealogical researchers who are itching to find their ancestors on their own. Those of you who are weekend genealogists may be prepared for some of the necessary ancestor research, while others may be better off contacting an ancestry genealogy service.