Tag Archive for: Foreign Birth Registration

PROCESSING TIMES FOR FOREIGN BIRTH REGISTRATION

PROCESSING TIMES FOR FOREIGN BIRTH REGISTRATION

The Department of Foreign Affairs have stated on their website that the current estimated processing time for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) application is over two years.

Otherwise known as Citizenship by descent, FBR applications are a complex process, requiring applicants to submit official documentation relating to three generations, which may have been issued by several jurisdictions.

The DFA’s guidance for FBR applications on their website states that there has been an increase in the number of these applications being submitted, and notably they have seen an increase in the number of incomplete applications.

The DFA’s guidance emphasises the importance of submitting the required, original documentation and paying the appropriate fee at the time of application to avoid any delays in the processing of your application.

At present the guidance states that after all the correct physical documents are received it takes over two years to process a Foreign Birth Registration application. The website further sates however that they have set up a new Foreign Birth Registration teams in an aim to manage the increased volume of applications and efficiency.

This blog has been drafted with reference to the following website:

https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/#Foreign%20Birth%20Registration

For further details on applying for Foreign Birth Registration, please visit the following link:

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

Berkeley Solicitors are available to provide support and assistance to any Foreign Birth Registration applicants.

This blog article has been prepared on the basis of current immigration law and policy, which is subject to change. Please keep an eye on our blog and Facebook page where articles relating to updates and changes in immigration law and policy are regularly posted.

STAMP 0 PERMISSION ACCEPTED AS RECKONABLE RESIDENCE FOR NATURALISATION

MINISTER FOR JUSTICE ANNOUNCES THE RESUMPTION OF PROCESSING OF FOREIGN BIRTH REGISTRATION

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) was temporarily put on hold. However, processing of Foreign Birth Registration recommenced on a phased basis on Monday, 15th November. Any applications that were sent to the FBR team while processing was closed have been kept on file, and the FBR team has assured that those applications will now be processed in strict date order. The Department of Foreign Affairs has noted that due to the complexity of the process itself, and the backlog of applications that has built up over the paused period, they predict an average of a two-year processing time for current applications.

Foreign Birth Registration allows for persons of Irish descent and children of Irish citizens born outside the State to become Irish citizens themselves.

Who is eligible to become an Irish citizen?

If you were born outside of Ireland, you can apply for Foreign Birth Registration if;

  • One of your grandparents was born in Ireland, or
  • One of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, even though they were not born in Ireland

Depending on the specific situation, there are certain documents that need to be submitted with an application for FBR on behalf of the applicant and the Irish citizen family member. There is also an online form that needs to be completed. The fees for FBR are €278 for an adult (over the age of 18) and €153 for registration of those under the age of 18.

Once a person is registered on the Foreign Birth Registrar, they can apply for an Irish passport as an Irish citizen.

The full notice on the Department of Foreign Affairs website can be found here.

If you or a family member have queries about the Foreign Birth Registration process, please do not hesitate to contact our office.