Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) Ireland
If you were born outside Ireland and one or both of your parents were born in Ireland, you are eligible for Irish citizenship by birthright. This article outlines the legal process for registering the birth of a child born abroad to Irish citizens.
Reach out to IAS for further help and information about your case. Call us on +353 (0)61 518 025 or contact us online.
What is the Foreign Birth Register (FBR)?
The Foreign Birth Register (FBR) is an official record kept by the Irish government that registers eligible individuals who were born outside Ireland for Irish citizenship through the citizenship by descent route.
Registering on the FBR is necessary to formally acquire Irish citizenship. Applicants must meet certain criteria related to their family heritage in order to be eligible for citizenship, and then must complete the online application and submit official other documents as evidence, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates.
If the applicant is accepted and added to the register, then they will automatically become an Irish citizen.
Eligibility applies to individuals who wish to gain citizenship based on their Irish-born grandparent or a parent who was an Irish citizen when the individual was born abroad. This process allows Irish citizenship to be passed from parent to child, provided each generation registers their birth before the next generation is born.
You will be considered an Irish citizen from the date that your registration is approved.
Page Contents
- What is the Foreign Birth Register?
- Who is Entitled to Irish Citizenship?
- How to Apply for Irish Citizenship by Foreign Birth Registration
- Who Can Be a Witness?
- How Long Does It Take to Apply for Irish Citizenship by Descent?
- How Much Does It Cost to Become an Irish Citizen?
- Foreign Birth Registration Application Form
- What if My Foreign Birth Registration Application is Refused?
- What Are the Benefits of Becoming an Irish Citizen?
- Foreign Birth Register Certificates Replacements
- How Can IAS Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Eligible for Irish Citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration?
To apply for Irish citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration, you must meet the following criteria:
- You have at least one Irish-born grandparent, or
- You have a parent who was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, but was not born in Ireland
Born to Irish Parents
If you were born abroad to an Irish citizen parent, you are likely considered an automatic Irish citizen and should not need to go through the FBR process. In this case, your parents must have either been born in Ireland themselves or became an Irish citizen before you were born.
If you were born abroad to an Irish citizen parent, you are very likely considered an automatic Irish citizen and should not need to go through the Foreign Births Registration process. In this case, your parents must have either been born in Ireland themselves or became an Irish citizen before you were born.
However, it is important that you spend time checking to verify your citizenship status, as this can affect your rights and entitlements within Ireland and the European Union. If you’re uncertain about your situation, consider contacting the relevant authorities or the Irish embassy or consulate for guidance.
Alternatively, you can also contact one of our expert immigration lawyers today, who can provide the necessary information and assistance for you to confirm your citizenship status. Call us on +353 (0)61 518 025, or get in touch online.
Register as an Irish Citizen if Your Great-Grandparents are Irish
It is unlikely that you will be considered for Irish citizenship through your heritage if your only connection to Ireland is through your great-grandparents.
You will be eligible for citizenship only if your grandparents or parents registered themselves as Irish citizens based on their connection to your great-grandparents before your birth.
There are plenty of other routes to citizenship in Ireland that might be more suitable to your circumstances, such as:
- Citizenship through naturalisation – for individuals who have lived in Ireland for a certain extended period of time and meet all relevant residency requirements
- Citizenship through marriage or civil partnership – for spouses or civil partners of Irish citizens who have lived in Ireland for a specific period
- Citizenship through investment – the Immigrant Investor Programme allows individuals to obtain residency through significant financial investment in Ireland
- Citizenship through long-term work visas – Certain work permits can lead to residency and eventual citizenship after at least 5 years
How to Apply for Irish Citizenship by Foreign Birth Registration?
To become an Irish citizen by foreign birth registration, you will need to gather all relevant required documents that prove your Irish lineage, complete an online application form, arrange a witness, and submit the form with the certified supporting documents and fees.
What Documents Do I Need to Register Foreign Birth?
The supporting documents required for foreign birth registration might vary from individual depending on their particular circumstances.
All applicants will be required to submit the following documents as part of their application:
- Original civil birth certificate or adoption certificate
- Copy of a valid ID or foreign passport
- Four passport-sized recent photographs of you, of which two must be signed by your witness
- Original civil birth certificate or original adoption certificate, marriage certificate, or death certificate of the parent or grandparent born in Ireland
- Other proof of Irish citizenship of the Irish parent or grandparent, such as their naturalisation certificate
- Proof of address, if applicable
If you are applying on behalf of a child, their application must include:
- The passports of both parents
- Proof of address of the parents
- If only one parent is an Irish citizen, you must supply their Irish citizenship documentation
- A signed consent form from both parents, witnessed by an approved professional
Register Foreign Birth for Children
To apply for Irish citizenship for a child, the parents or legal guardians must complete the online form on behalf of the child.
A valid witness must be arranged to witness the parent(s) or guardian(s) signing the form. The witness must also certify copies of the child’s identity documents and any parental documents.
The application can then be submitted with all required documents attached, including parental consent forms.
Register Foreign Birth for Adults
To complete the FBR application process, you will need to visit the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs website and complete the online form, ensuring that all information is accurate to avoid any delays in processing.
Once the form is completed, you will need to print and sign it in the presence of an approved witness, who will also need to certify your copies of identity documents.
Once this is complete, and you are sure you have all the appropriate documentation ready, you will need to post your application and supporting documents together to a specific address, and will need to pay approximately €278.
Who Can Witness the Foreign Birth Registration Application?
Before you send your application form to the relevant office, you must have it witnessed by an individual who has a specific job title, who knows you personally but is not related to you. The witness plays a crucial role in the foreign birth registration process by certifying your application form and identity documents.
The same witness should witness the form and two of the photographs and use their official stamp on the form. They should also certify a photocopy of the applicant’s photographic identity document as a true copy of the original. If the witness does not have an official stamp you should supply a business card for them.
The witness can be one of the following, who is personally known to you and currently practicing in their profession:
- Garda Síochána/ Police Officer
- Education Professionals, i.e. leaders and educators involved in the academic sphere, including principals or headteachers, teachers, secretaries, and lecturers
- Member of Clergy
- Healthcare professionals such as Medical Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists or Dentists
- Lawyer
- Notary Public/Commissioner for Oaths
- Bank Managers and Accountants
- Veterinarians
- Chartered Engineer
Processing Time for the Foreign Birth Registration
Generally, foreign birth registration in Ireland takes the Irish Embassy approximately 9 months to be processed by the Irish government. This is the process for gaining Irish citizenship, and does not include any other wait times of other processes involved either in obtaining the relevant supporting documents and submitting the application.
Gaining citizenship does not automatically grant you a passport and national identity card – these require separate application processes and are not part of the birth registration process. If you wish to obtain an Irish passport as soon as you have claimed citizenship, you should submit an application for it as soon as possible, as obtaining a passport takes approximately a month if you apply in Ireland, or up to two months if you apply from abroad.
Foreign Birth Registration Cost
The fee for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) in Ireland is as follows:
Adult (18 years or over):
- Foreign Birth Registration Fee: €278
- Postage Fee: €8
Minor (under 18 years of age):
- Foreign Birth Registration Fee: €153
- Postage Fee: €8
This figure does not include any other additional charges you may incur during the application process, such as retrieving documents, printing documents, any legal advice you obtain during the process, or travel costs associated with the application process.
Foreign Birth Registration Application Form
The application form for a foreign birth registration is strictly online only. There is no physical application form available for this process.
You must ensure that you fill out the correct Foreign Birth Registration form accessed by the official Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website, taking care to fill out all necessary parts of the form accurately and completely.
What if My Foreign Birth Registration Application is Refused?
If your foreign birth registration application is refused and you had submitted all necessary relevant documentation in your application, you will normally be sent a letter detailing the reasons for refusal as well as whether or not you have a right to appeal.
If you had not submitted all relevant documentation for an application that was unsuccessful, you will not normally be given the right to appeal.
If you wish to lodge an appeal, you should send a letter within 6 weeks of receiving your refusal letter to the following address:
Foreign Births Registration Section
PO Box 13003
Balbriggan, Co Dublin
Ireland
If you happen to have further complaints or issues with your appeal, you may contact the Irish Ombudsman office via their official website.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming an Irish Citizen?
Ireland is renowned for its high quality of life, robust economy, political stability, and vibrant culture, and is considered one of the safest places in the world. The country has stunning landscapes, rich history, and a welcoming community. Ireland also has excellent healthcare and education systems.
Some of the rights that come with Irish citizenship include:
- The ability to live, work, and study freely in any EU/EEA country and Switzerland
- The right to vote in Irish elections
- Access to an excellent education system and further EU educational opportunities
- Access to Ireland’s healthcare, social security, and pension systems
- A link to Ireland’s heritage and identity, with the ability to pass citizenship to future generations by Irish descent
- Access to Ireland’s job market and its growing economy
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to over 180 countries
Foreign Birth Register Certificates Replacements
If you need to apply for a replacement Foreign Birth Register certificate, this can be done by accessing the necessary form on the official Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
You will have to fill in the form with key details such as the name and address of the person applying, details of their lineage, whether the certificate was lost, stolen or destroyed, and billing details for payment.
You will also then have to forward relevant supporting documents to the following address:
FBR Replacement Certificates
Foreign Births Registration Section
PO BOX 13003
Balbriggan
Co. Dublin
Ireland
Which supporting documents you must include depend on whether the person applying is an adult applying on their own behalf, the adult child of an adult citizen who is deceased, or the parent of a minor (who is still a minor).
How Can IAS Help?
Gaining Irish citizenship for you or your child is a huge step. Citizenship in Ireland offers a high quality of life, grants you the right to vote and participate in Irish politics, and access to state benefits and excellent healthcare. It also gives you the ability to apply for an Irish passport, which is one of the strongest travel documents in the world.
Registering your child who was born abroad as an Irish citizen is incredibly important if you want your child to have the same rights and privileges as you. That means that it’s crucial that you complete the application correctly, to avoid the risk of having your submission refused.
At Immigration Advice Services, we have a team of expert immigration lawyers who are experienced in Irish law and who can support you through the entire application process. If your situation is complex or you require representation, we can offer these services too. To chat with an advisor today, call us on +353 (0)61 518 025, or you can get in touch online. We are here to help.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on May 18th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you were born abroad to an Irish citizen parent, you are most likely considered an automatic Irish citizen, regardless of where you were born, and should not need to go through the FBR process.
In this case, your parents must have either been born in Ireland themselves or became an Irish citizen before you were born.
You will still need to apply for an Irish passport, as these always require an application process and are not processed and granted to citizens automatically.
Yes, you need a witness to verify your identity for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR). Your witness must be an upstanding member of the community who has a stamp and who knows you personally. You cannot use a relative as a witness.
You will be required to sign the application form in their presence, and they will then need to certify it. They must also certify copies of your identity documents as true copies. Some witnesses may charge a fee, so it is best to confirm this in advance.
