Dual British / Irish citizenship
Discussion
My grandfather was born in southern Ireland and then moved to England at some point and started a family with my English Nan
My mother was born in England and just holds a English passport
My father just has a British passport
Would I be able to get a irish passport off the back of my grandad AND still hold my current British one
If yes, can I then get dual citizenship for my British daughter?
It’s more for my daughters benefit rather than mine going forward
Thankyou
My mother was born in England and just holds a English passport
My father just has a British passport
Would I be able to get a irish passport off the back of my grandad AND still hold my current British one
If yes, can I then get dual citizenship for my British daughter?
It’s more for my daughters benefit rather than mine going forward
Thankyou
You should be able to get it via your grandfather, you'll need various bits of documentation to register as an overseas birth (https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/) and from there you can go for a passport.
For your child I don't think they'll be eligible as you wouldn't have been an Irish citizen at the time of their birth.
Have a look at https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/ - it can get a bit complicated but they were very helpful in my instance!
You can hold UK and Irish dual citizenship, the only issue I've found is renewing my UK passport they wanted me to send both my expired UK and my Irish passport. With the extra cost, hassle and risk of being without passport I've just not bothered to renew my UK one for now
For your child I don't think they'll be eligible as you wouldn't have been an Irish citizen at the time of their birth.
Have a look at https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/ - it can get a bit complicated but they were very helpful in my instance!
You can hold UK and Irish dual citizenship, the only issue I've found is renewing my UK passport they wanted me to send both my expired UK and my Irish passport. With the extra cost, hassle and risk of being without passport I've just not bothered to renew my UK one for now
I did this a few years ago. You can qualify via a grandparent (as I did), but that is the limit. Your daughter can't via a) her great-grandparent or b) her newly nationalized farther.
My kids eventually qualified for citizenship, but only after we had lived her in Ireland for five years.
Generally when people ask me about this, I say its worth thinking about why you want it. If its for a slightly quicker queue at the airport its probably not worth the cost, if you would be likely to build a career in an EU member state then it definitely is.
Edit to add: You can have both. I'm not aware of any limits to how many citizenships you can have (except for the US).
My kids eventually qualified for citizenship, but only after we had lived her in Ireland for five years.
Generally when people ask me about this, I say its worth thinking about why you want it. If its for a slightly quicker queue at the airport its probably not worth the cost, if you would be likely to build a career in an EU member state then it definitely is.
Edit to add: You can have both. I'm not aware of any limits to how many citizenships you can have (except for the US).
Spare tyre said:
My grandfather was born in southern Ireland and then moved to England at some point and started a family with my English Nan
My mother was born in England and just holds a English passport
My father just has a British passport
Would I be able to get a irish passport off the back of my grandad AND still hold my current British one
If yes, can I then get dual citizenship for my British daughter?
It’s more for my daughters benefit rather than mine going forward
Thankyou
Don't post here often but thought I could be of use.My mother was born in England and just holds a English passport
My father just has a British passport
Would I be able to get a irish passport off the back of my grandad AND still hold my current British one
If yes, can I then get dual citizenship for my British daughter?
It’s more for my daughters benefit rather than mine going forward
Thankyou
The answer to both of these, is yes you can. My partner has both a UK and Irish passport, her eldest son also has an Irish passport off the back of this as well as a UK one. She is also in the process of sorting her other two sons' passports, so that they have the ease of use of the Irish passport.
I can't tell you the ins and outs of it however, as I haven't had anything at all to do with the applications!
99flake said:
Spare tyre said:
My grandfather was born in southern Ireland and then moved to England at some point and started a family with my English Nan
My mother was born in England and just holds a English passport
My father just has a British passport
Would I be able to get a irish passport off the back of my grandad AND still hold my current British one
If yes, can I then get dual citizenship for my British daughter?
It’s more for my daughters benefit rather than mine going forward
Thankyou
Don't post here often but thought I could be of use.My mother was born in England and just holds a English passport
My father just has a British passport
Would I be able to get a irish passport off the back of my grandad AND still hold my current British one
If yes, can I then get dual citizenship for my British daughter?
It’s more for my daughters benefit rather than mine going forward
Thankyou
The answer to both of these, is yes you can. My partner has both a UK and Irish passport, her eldest son also has an Irish passport off the back of this as well as a UK one. She is also in the process of sorting her other two sons' passports, so that they have the ease of use of the Irish passport.
I can't tell you the ins and outs of it however, as I haven't had anything at all to do with the applications!
Irish citizenship can be granted 2 generations forward from the direct descendent born in teh republic of ireland.
So if it is your grandparent, you would be eligible for an Irish Passport but your children not.
Off Topic
as an interesting aside, my daughter's children may have an issue depending on who the father of her children will be and where she lives.
She was born in Singapore, both parents not Singapore Citizens, so no right to Singapore Citizenship
She holds British Citizenship through me, but was born overseas, so if her children are also born overseas they will not be eligible for British Citizenship(UK only recognises 1 generation removed).
She also has Irish Citizenship, through her grandmother, so if her children are not born in Ireland, they are not eligible for Irish Citizenship.
She also has Indonesian Citizenship through her mother, but they only allow Dual Citizenship up to 18 years old, and if she is not living in Indonesia, she will likely give that citizenship up.
So, unless she gives birth in one of 30 countries that recognise Jus Soli, the UK or Ireland, i could end up with stateless grandchildren ...
Or, hopefully the father will be a bit more "normal" and they will adopt his nationality.
So if it is your grandparent, you would be eligible for an Irish Passport but your children not.
Off Topic
as an interesting aside, my daughter's children may have an issue depending on who the father of her children will be and where she lives.
She was born in Singapore, both parents not Singapore Citizens, so no right to Singapore Citizenship
She holds British Citizenship through me, but was born overseas, so if her children are also born overseas they will not be eligible for British Citizenship(UK only recognises 1 generation removed).
She also has Irish Citizenship, through her grandmother, so if her children are not born in Ireland, they are not eligible for Irish Citizenship.
She also has Indonesian Citizenship through her mother, but they only allow Dual Citizenship up to 18 years old, and if she is not living in Indonesia, she will likely give that citizenship up.
So, unless she gives birth in one of 30 countries that recognise Jus Soli, the UK or Ireland, i could end up with stateless grandchildren ...
Or, hopefully the father will be a bit more "normal" and they will adopt his nationality.
Jonathan27 said:
Sorry but that's not quite correct. I would presume your partner got citizenship via either birth, or a parent. Or had kids after getting citizenship. But not a grandparent. Grandparents are the limit, so your partners children couldn't get it via their great-grandparent.
Apologies, I misread originally, yes my partner's father was Irish, so he is the grandparent of the sons in this case.Interesting stuff.
My situation is exactly as in the OP. I half-heartedly considered getting an Irish passport when all the referendum stuff was going on, but can't say I particularly looked into it.
I'd assumed, clearly incorrectly, that my kids would be able to get Irish passports as well. Good to have that clarified, but a shame I'll have to stop winding my completely English wife up about it now.
My situation is exactly as in the OP. I half-heartedly considered getting an Irish passport when all the referendum stuff was going on, but can't say I particularly looked into it.
I'd assumed, clearly incorrectly, that my kids would be able to get Irish passports as well. Good to have that clarified, but a shame I'll have to stop winding my completely English wife up about it now.
Jonathan27 said:
I did this a few years ago. You can qualify via a grandparent (as I did), but that is the limit. Your daughter can't via a) her great-grandparent or b) her newly nationalized farther.
My kids eventually qualified for citizenship, but only after we had lived her in Ireland for five years.
Generally when people ask me about this, I say its worth thinking about why you want it. If its for a slightly quicker queue at the airport its probably not worth the cost, if you would be likely to build a career in an EU member state then it definitely is.
Edit to add: You can have both. I'm not aware of any limits to how many citizenships you can have (except for the US).
Yep, there isn't a limit placed on you by the UK. I've got dual British/Maltese through my Maltese grandfather. I only bothered applying after Brexit, because a) I'd like to be able to spend as long as I like in the EU when I'm retired, and b) Malta is more generous than most countries, and I've been able to obtain citizenship for my spouse and our children (still both in education), the latter of which wanted to be able to have to choice to work/live in the EU in the future. My kids eventually qualified for citizenship, but only after we had lived her in Ireland for five years.
Generally when people ask me about this, I say its worth thinking about why you want it. If its for a slightly quicker queue at the airport its probably not worth the cost, if you would be likely to build a career in an EU member state then it definitely is.
Edit to add: You can have both. I'm not aware of any limits to how many citizenships you can have (except for the US).
I definitely echo your thoughts on whether it's worth it though - definitely not worth the admin and cost for quicker airport queues, but if you want to work or retire in say France or Spain, it's well worth it. Shame we have to jump through the hoops and spaff thousands up the wall though to get back that which was rightfully ours, and taken away without our personal consent because of the ill-judged feelings of others.
vixen1700 said:
This is something I need to do as my father was born in Northern Ireland, which apparently means I can easily apply for an EU Irish passport.
What are the various bits of documentation needed by the way?
I hate dealing with all this sort of stuff, documentation, online forms etc.etc.
It's mostly a paper form but it's a lot of documentation depending on whether you're applying based on a parent or grandparent.What are the various bits of documentation needed by the way?
I hate dealing with all this sort of stuff, documentation, online forms etc.etc.
At the bare minimum you'll need your birth certificate and passport plus photos, certified by a policeman/doctor/solicitor and proof of address.
You'll also need your Irish parents birth/marriage/death certificates or passport if still alive. You'll also need this stuff for your grandparents if you're going back that far.
It takes a good few months, and costs a few hundred Euros plus extra for a passport.
I am in same position as OP grandfather was Irish.
If I apply for and get an Irish passport, I assume that would mean I am not tied to the 90 days in 180 days Schengen regulations?
If that is the case would my wife, who would only have a uk passport not be tied to those regulations either?
If I apply for and get an Irish passport, I assume that would mean I am not tied to the 90 days in 180 days Schengen regulations?
If that is the case would my wife, who would only have a uk passport not be tied to those regulations either?
vacant-100 said:
It's mostly a paper form but it's a lot of documentation depending on whether you're applying based on a parent or grandparent.
At the bare minimum you'll need your birth certificate and passport plus photos, certified by a policeman/doctor/solicitor and proof of address.
You'll also need your Irish parents birth/marriage/death certificates or passport if still alive. You'll also need this stuff for your grandparents if you're going back that far.
It takes a good few months, and costs a few hundred Euros plus extra for a passport.
Cheers! At the bare minimum you'll need your birth certificate and passport plus photos, certified by a policeman/doctor/solicitor and proof of address.
You'll also need your Irish parents birth/marriage/death certificates or passport if still alive. You'll also need this stuff for your grandparents if you're going back that far.
It takes a good few months, and costs a few hundred Euros plus extra for a passport.
Getting my dad's documentation will probably be a fair old job as he died over thirty years ago.
vixen1700 said:
This is something I need to do as my father was born in Northern Ireland, which apparently means I can easily apply for an EU Irish passport.
What are the various bits of documentation needed by the way?
I hate dealing with all this sort of stuff, documentation, online forms etc.etc.
Correct. If your father was born on the island of Ireland between 1922 and 2005, then you are already an Irish citizen and only need to make your 1st passport application.What are the various bits of documentation needed by the way?
I hate dealing with all this sort of stuff, documentation, online forms etc.etc.
You will need to fill in a passport application form and provide;
Witnessed photographs
Your father's birth certificate
Your parents' marriage certificate
Your birth certificate
Proof of identity
Proof of current address
The Department of Foreign Affairs website sets this all out very clearly and you should allow about 4-6 months from making your application to getting your passport
My wife has recently done this on the back of her Irish Grandfather.
It took quite a bit of work getting all the documents together and there was some confusion over what was acceptable etc..
She had to send off for her Grandfathers birth and death certificates (born in Ireland, died in England).
Communication from the Irish side was a bit sporadic but she got there in the end.
Process took over a year.
Also to note that getting citizenship doesn't mean you get the passport included
you need to apply and pay for that separately.
I think all in for docs, postage, citizenship and passport it was over £300.
It took quite a bit of work getting all the documents together and there was some confusion over what was acceptable etc..
She had to send off for her Grandfathers birth and death certificates (born in Ireland, died in England).
Communication from the Irish side was a bit sporadic but she got there in the end.
Process took over a year.
Also to note that getting citizenship doesn't mean you get the passport included
you need to apply and pay for that separately.I think all in for docs, postage, citizenship and passport it was over £300.
Stevemr said:
I am in same position as OP grandfather was Irish.
If I apply for and get an Irish passport, I assume that would mean I am not tied to the 90 days in 180 days Schengen regulations?
If that is the case would my wife, who would only have a uk passport not be tied to those regulations either?
If travelling with you, not tied to restrictions (officially)If I apply for and get an Irish passport, I assume that would mean I am not tied to the 90 days in 180 days Schengen regulations?
If that is the case would my wife, who would only have a uk passport not be tied to those regulations either?
In practice the EU haven't sorted this out though as my wife always gets a stamp when with me. If pulled, you'd be ok I assume. Some airports allow both to go via the EU queue but it is hit and miss.
Fortunately I did this for myself nearly 20 years ago. Back then it only took about 6 weeks.
Did it for my kids just as Brexit was kicking off and it took about a year.
Simplified rules:
Parent born on island of Ireland = you are automatically a citizen, you can apply for a passport if you wish.
Grandparent born on island of Ireland = you can apply to be on the Foreign Births Register (FBR). Once accepted you are a citizen and can apply for a passport if you wish.
Child born to a parent on the FBR at the time of birth = child can be added to FBR.
As long as FBR registration is done before your children are born, then you can carry it on for ever. My children's children can apply to be on the FBR etc etc.
Did it for my kids just as Brexit was kicking off and it took about a year.
Simplified rules:
Parent born on island of Ireland = you are automatically a citizen, you can apply for a passport if you wish.
Grandparent born on island of Ireland = you can apply to be on the Foreign Births Register (FBR). Once accepted you are a citizen and can apply for a passport if you wish.
Child born to a parent on the FBR at the time of birth = child can be added to FBR.
As long as FBR registration is done before your children are born, then you can carry it on for ever. My children's children can apply to be on the FBR etc etc.
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