Foreign Birth Registration: How to Claim Irish Citizenship Through Ancestry in 2025

Demand for the Irish passport continues to grow in 2025, with an increasing number of applicants from the United States, the United Kingdom and beyond. For many, the decision is influenced not only by geo-political events, but also by a deep desire to reconnect with their Irish ancestry and the opportunities that Irish citizenship provides.

The Irish passport remains one of the most powerful in the world, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 180 countries, granting full rights to live, work and do business across the UK and EU. Depending on eligibility, these rights can even be passed on to future generations.

Who Is Eligible for Irish Citizenship by Descent?

An individual may claim Irish citizenship through descent, if they have a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent born on the island of Ireland.

• • • If the parent was born on the island of Ireland: The applicant is automatically entitled to Irish citizenship and can apply directly for an Irish passport through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
    • If the grandparent or great-grandparent was born in Ireland: Citizenship must be acquired through the foreign birth registration process, using the Foreign Births Register (the global register of all Irish citizens by birth born outside of Ireland). Applicants must complete an application form and provide the required supporting documents.
    • Note that where the claim is based on a great-grandparent, the parent through whom citizenship is derived must already be registered on the Foreign Births Register prior to the applicant’s birth for the claim to be valid. 

Application Process

Applications for foreign birth registrations are processed in the order that they are received. However, an applicant can make an urgent request if they are expecting a child and the right to citizenship would not pass to this child unless the parent is registered.

If a foreign birth registration certificate is lost or stolen, it can be reissued by submitting a reissue application to the Department of Foreign Affairs. If an application is refused despite providing the correct documents, an appeal may be lodged within six weeks of the refusal date.

How Long Does Foreign Birth Registration Take in 2025?

Processing times have significantly improved in recent years. While applications in 2022 could take more than a year from document submission, the average turnaround time in 2025 is around nine to 10 months.

While progress has been made, there is still room for improvement, particularly in modernisation efforts and in establishing a more direct communication with the DFA, which is currently quite limited. The DFA has indicated plans to replace the core technology underpinning the service, a move expected to enhance efficiency across both foreign birth registration and passport services.

What Are the Main Challenges in the Application Process?

• • • There is no way to search the Foreign Births Register, so it is important to keep records for future generations (where applicable).
    • The application process can be lengthy and complex.
    • The most common hurdle that applicants face is providing multi-generational documents from different jurisdictions, which can cause a long delay.

As experienced practitioners, Fragomen has assisted numerous clients in overcoming these hurdles and claiming their Irish citizenship.

How Does Fragomen Collaborate with the Irish Family History and EPIC Centres?

Ireland has a long history of emigration and a strong connection with its global diaspora. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin showcases this history, sharing the stories of those who emigrated from Ireland over several generations. In 2025, the museum merged with the Irish Family History Centre, combining their expertise and resources. Together, they provide access to genealogical records, archives and historical documents that help applicants trace their Irish ancestry.

The team at the Irish Family History and EPIC includes dedicated experts who assist in locating missing documents and supporting applicants as they explore their family history. Through close collaboration with EPIC and the Irish Family History Centre, Fragomen has assisted many applicants with difficult foreign birth registration cases. This partnership has enabled the firm to streamline applications, reduce information requests and ensure a smoother path to Irish citizenship.

Building on this collaboration, Fragomen Ireland is partnering with EPIC and the Irish Family History Centre for a webinar on 20 November 2025 exploring Irish citizenship, ancestry and the story behind the Irish passport. The event will bring together immigration and historical experts to provide both practical guidance and cultural insights for those tracing their Irish roots.

Need To Know More?

For further information on foreign birth registration requirements, visit the Fragomen Ireland page and schedule a consultation, or contact the Irish Personal Immigration Services team at [email protected] or the Fragomen Dublin team at [email protected].

This blog was published on 17 November 2025, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.