How to Obtain Dual Citizenship: US and Ireland

When the United States celebrated its independence in 1776, there were about 2 million descendents of Irish heritage among its citizens. Today, more than 300 million people in the US claim Irish ancestry. As the US tightens its borders, Ireland is welcoming those with familial ties to the green isles to claim their heritage and become dual citizens. If the idea of honoring your ancestors by claiming your Irish citizenship sounds intriguing, here's how the process works.

Benefits
Irish citizenship is a privilege that comes with many benefits. As a citizen of Ireland, you are free to live and work in any member country of the European Union (EU). No residence or work permits are necessary and you retain your American citizenship and rights.

Ireland does not require foreign citizenship to be dropped in order to obtain an Irish passport. In other words, you can be a dual citizen and enter both nations freely. This freedom does depend on your native country's rules, but most notably you can be a dual citizen of the United States and Ireland.

As a dual citizen you may purchase property in any country of the EU, travel freely throughout the region and enjoy the sights of France, England, Germany, the Netherlands and all of the other member nations.
If you decide to work in the EU, you become eligible for unemployment compensation, health insurance and pension rights.

Citizenship through Descent
If you were born in Ireland to Irish parent(s), then you are an Irish citizen by descent. Makes sense. If you were born outside of Ireland and either one of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, then you are automatically an Irish citizen (with a few exceptions). Citizenship through descent by Irish parents applies regardless if your parents were alive or even married at the time of your birth.

This all might sound intuitive but compared to the citizenship rule in the US, it is astoundingly simple. For instance, a child born to a US citizen outside of the United States is not automatically a US citizen - don't go into labor on vacation!

And here's the kicker. If you were born outside Ireland to non-Irish citizens, you're still eligible to claim Irish citizenship if any one of your grandparents was born in Ireland.

So if:
Born in Ireland: Entitled to Irish citizenship
Parents born in Ireland: Entitled to Irish citizenship through Foreign Birth Resister
Grandparents born in Ireland: Entitled to Irish citizenship through Foreign Birth Register

Foreign Birth Register

Before you can claim Irish citizenship, you must have your birth registered in the Foreign Births Register which is maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Here's how:

First, all applicants for Foreign Births registration need to complete either application form FB1A (over 18 years old) or FB1B (under 18 years old). The application must be filled out correctly and witnessed. Second, along with the application you'll need to supply the following supporting documents:

Documents relating to your grandparent(s)
Grandparent's full, long form birth certificate (showing all names, ages and places of birth)
Grandparent's marriage license or certificate
Grandparent's current official photo ID (if living) or death certificate (if deceased)

Documents relating to your parent(s)
Parent's full, long form birth certificate (showing all names, ages and places of birth)
Parent's marriage license or certificate
Parent's current official photo ID (if living) or death certificate (if deceased)

Document's relating to you, the applicant
Your full, long form birth certificate (showing all names, ages and places of birth)
Your marriage license or certificate (if applicable) and any document related to change of name
Two recent passport type photographs signed and dated by witness (same witness as application)
Notarized copy of current US passport (if held)
Notarized copies of three proofs of identity including at least one photo ID
Copy of bank statement or utility bill with your present address
If the applicant is under 18, the applicant's parent or legal guardian must provide passport photos, notarized copy of US passport and the three proofs of identity in the same manner as the applicant .

And lastly, you'll need to include the relevant fee. Details about current fee and acceptable forms of payment can be obtained from the Foreign Birth Register.

Once you've completed your application and sent it in to the Foreign Birth Register, you'll receive a certificate confirming that your birth has been recorded in the Irish Foreign Birth Register. This certificate can be used as proof of Irish citizenship when applying for an Irish passport.

The process of registering with the Irish Foreign Birth Register can take up to a year and a half so plan ahead and be patient. Applying for an Irish passport requires additional time as well depending on the amount of passport applications at the consulate. Still, it is not that difficult or time consuming once you've got all the necessary documents.

Important Tips
Official documents must be original or official copies from the issuing authority (ie civil records NOT hospital or church).
All supporting documents must be original or notarized copies (passports, driver's licenses or important IDs should be sent as notarized copies NOT originals).

Don't send duplicate copies with your application, send one copy of all documents and an ample sized self addressed envelope for their return.

To obtain Irish birth certificates, contact the Registrar's Office in Dublin. Be sure to specify "long form" when requesting a birth certificate.

Applicants living in Ireland should apply to:
Foreign Births Register
Department of Foreign Affairs
80 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin 2
Republic of Ireland
Telephone +353 1 408 2555

Applicants living outside Ireland should apply to the nearest Irish embassy or consulate
Contact the Embassy of Ireland in Washington with any questions

Disclaimer

The information in this article is general advice and not meant as a substitute for guidance from official government authorities. The author is not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your citizenship decisions. Any questions about citizenship, immigration or emigration should be directed to the appropriate consulate or embassy.