Irish Citizenship by Descent for Canadian Citizens

Can I Get an Irish Passport Through My Grandparents?

This is one of the most common questions for Canadian citizens with Irish ancestors that want to take advantage of the opportunity to become Irish citizens thanks to their family ties. A simple answer is yes – if you were not born in Ireland, you could still get an Irish passport through your grandparents. However, more specific requirements apply:

• Your grandparent (or both) is an Irish citizen born in Ireland, but your birth must be registered in the Foreign Births Register maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This registration establishes your right to claim Irish citizenship.
• Your great-grandparent (or both) is an Irish citizen born in Ireland, but your parent’s birth must have been registered on the Foreign Births Register before you were born.

However, if you have an Irish grandparent, but your birth hasn’t been registered yet, you can still become an Irish citizen by registering yourself with the Foreign Birth Register. This must be done before applying for an Irish passport. We will expand on the application process later in this article.

Can I Get an Irish Passport Through Other Ancestors?

No. Having relatives such as cousins, aunts, or uncles who are Irish citizens does not grant you the right to claim Ireland citizenship. The eligibility for Irish citizenship is primarily based on direct lineage to an Irish citizen in the immediate parental or grandparental generation.

Can I Get an Irish Passport if My Husband Has One?

Yes. If your spouse is an Irish citizen, you can apply for an Irish passport only if you have legally resided in Ireland with them for 3 years or more within the last 5 years.

Alternative Ways of Acquiring Irish Citizenship by Descent For Canadian Citizens

As a Canadian, you also qualify for Irish citizenship if:

• Your mother or father was born in Ireland and is an Irish citizen. In this case, you will be automatically an Irish citizen too.
• You were adopted by an Irish citizen or a couple where one of the guardians was an Irish citizen. According to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, you are an Irish citizen.
• You were born in Ireland or Northern Ireland before 1 January 2005 to a parent who is an Irish or British citizen. This condition will entitle you to be eligible for citizenship by birth.
• You were born in Ireland after 1 January to an Irish parent.
• You have been a legal resident in Ireland for at least 5 years in the last 9 years.

You could still get Irish citizenship through a special declaration if you do not meet the above standard eligibility criteria. This is applicable if:

• You were born on the island of Ireland between 2 December 1999 and 31 December 2004 to a foreign national entitled to diplomatic immunity (e.g. a foreign ambassador).
• You were born between 2 December 1999 and 31 December 2004 in the Irish Sea or air space to a foreign national.
• You were born in Ireland but have made a declaration of alienage under Section 21 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. In this case, you can resume Irish citizenship by filing Form 1.

Registering a Foreign Birth

Before obtaining Irish citizenship by descent through one of your grandparents or a parent (who was an Irish citizen when you were born but was not born in Ireland), you must file an application for foreign birth registration (if this has not been done already). The foreign birth register is an Irish government list for those born outside of Ireland to an Irish citizen. To register your birth you must:

1. Gather all the necessary documents. You will need the following:
   • Original civil birth certificate
   • Original civil marriage certificate (if applicable) or other document that states the change of name (if applicable)
   • Photocopy of ID document (i.e. passport, driver’s licence, national identity card). This must be certified as a true copy of the original by application form witness
   • 2 separate original proofs of address
   • 4 colour photographs (2 of these must be witnessed)
2. You must also submit official documentation relating to the person about whom your application is based (your parent or grandparent). You will need their:
   • Original civil birth certificate
   • Original marriage certificate or change of name document (if applicable)
   • Certified photocopy of ID (passport, driver’s licence, national identity card) or certified copy of death certificate (if deceased)
3. Complete the online form and submit your application online on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.
4. Pay a fee of €278 (if you are applying for a child it would be €158).
5. Sign the printed copy of your documents in front of a witness who knows you and is currently in one of the professions listed here. Your witness must sign, verify passport photos, stamp form, provide a business card (if no stamp), and certify your ID copy.
6. Receive your approval certificate. The application processing time is 9 months.

Apply for an Irish Passport

You can apply for an Irish passport once your birth has been officially registered. Submit your application and required documents online or by post, then pay the relevant fees and await your decision. You can track the progress of your application online using your original application number, but it should take around 20 business days.

Do I Have to Renounce My Canadian Citizenship to Apply for Irish Citizenship?

No, you won’t have to renounce it. Irish dual citizenship allows you to keep your Canadian passport, and at the same time, Canada permits individuals to hold dual citizenship.