CITIZENSHIP & HERITAGE
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Ireland

Citizenship by descent, in plain words.

Furthest routine descent
Grandparent
Fee
€278 per adult
Watch out
Great-grandchildren only qualify if a parent registered before their birth.

The rules

  • If a grandparent was born on the island of Ireland, you can apply through the Foreign Births Register (FBR).
  • Fee: €278 for an adult. Processing takes about 12 months.
  • Great-grandparent route only works if your parent was entered on the FBR before you were born.

Beyond the routine route: Great-grandparent only if your parent was on the Foreign Births Register before you were born.

Documents to check

Check the official application checklist for this route before ordering records. It may ask for birth records linking each generation, name-change or marriage records, and proof of the ancestor’s citizenship. Special routes may need additional evidence. The consulate can confirm which documents, translations and certifications apply to you.

Official source

https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/

Checked 8 November 2026.

Verify before applying. Rules and fees change. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Check the official source above, or ask the country's embassy or consulate, before you send anything.