Irish FBR — Irish Parent Born Abroad

Summary

This route is for someone born outside Ireland whose parent was already Irish when they were born, but that parent was not born on the island of Ireland.

In that situation, you may be able to become Irish by registering your birth on Ireland's Foreign Births Register. The parent must have been Irish before you were born.

Eligibility

You may be a fit if:

• You were born outside the island of Ireland.
• Your parent was an Irish citizen when you were born.
• Your parent was not born on the island of Ireland.
• Your parent became Irish before your birth through Foreign Birth Registration, naturalisation, post-nuptial citizenship, or adoption under Irish law.
• You can document your parent's Irish citizenship and your parent-child link.

If your parent became Irish after you were born, this route usually does not pass Irish citizenship to you.

What This Route Allows

If approved, registration on the Foreign Births Register makes you an Irish citizen from the date of registration. After that, you can apply for an Irish passport.

What This Route Is Not

This is not the simpler Irish-born-parent route. If your parent was born on the island of Ireland and was Irish when you were born, you may already be Irish and may be able to apply directly for a passport.

Next Steps

1. Confirm how your parent became Irish.
2. Confirm your parent was Irish before you were born.
3. Gather your birth certificate and your parent's birth and marriage records where needed.
4. Gather the document showing your parent's Irish citizenship, such as an FBR certificate, naturalisation certificate, post-nuptial certificate, or adoption-related proof.
5. Apply through the Foreign Births Register process.

Sources

• Department of Foreign Affairs — Registering a foreign birth
• Department of Foreign Affairs — Born abroad
• Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, revised Section 7
• Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, Section 27