Irish Citizenship Through Marriage for UK Citizens

If you are a British citizen with a spouse or civil partner who is of Irish nationality, you may be eligible for Irish citizenship through marriage. Because marriage to an Irish citizen does not automatically confer citizenship, you will still have to go through the process of citizenship application with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

If you are in the process of getting married to an Irish citizen, contact Total Law for assistance. Speak to one of our expert immigration advisers today. Call 0333 305 9375 or use the online contact form to get in touch regarding your immigration status.

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    What is Irish Citizenship Through Marriage?

    Citizenship through marriage is a way for UK citizens to get Irish citizenship through Irish associations with their spouses or civil partner. UK applicants must meet a number of strict eligibility requirements such as having been married for a minimum of three years prior to applying for Irish citizenship.

    Gaining Irish citizenship through marriage is essentially the same as applying for Irish citizenship in any other situation. The difference is that being married or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen allows you to apply after only three years of reckonable residence rather than five.

    Ultimately, the citizenship division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Justice has absolute discretion over who will be granted citizenship. Marriage or civil partnership with an Irish citizen does not automatically confer citizen status or make you entitled to Irish citizenship.

    Because UK citizens have the right to work, study, and hold residence in Ireland freely, some may choose not to apply for Irish citizenship at all.

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    How To Apply for Irish Citizenship Through Marriage

    The process to apply for Irish citizenship by marriage or civil partnership is similar to the process of applying for citizenship by naturalisation. The main difference is that you will select Form 8 for marriage and civil partnership when you apply.

    For citizens of the UK, you will not need a visa to stay in Ireland immediately. UK citizens can freely live, work, and study in Ireland under the Common Travel Area agreement. You may be able to take your required documents to the Garda National Immigration Bureau Registration office to register your marriage or civil partnership with Ireland.

    You may still wish to gain Irish citizenship. There are numerous advantages to holding both a British and Irish passport.

    When filling out your application for citizenship, it is important to complete it thoroughly and accurately. Misinformation in your application, whether intentional or not, can be used against you as a penalty for the requirement of good character. The Minister for Justice has the right to determine whether any inaccuracies on your application are deceptive in nature. Inaccurate answers or incomplete applications may lead to your request for citizenship is denied.

    Eligibility for Irish Citizenship Through Marriage

    Some requirements for eligibility can be complex. For instance, reckonable residence does not include time spent in Ireland on a student visa. If you have doubts about your eligibility for Irish citizenship, it is best to consult with a qualified legal team prior to applying. In order to be eligible for Irish citizenship through marriage, the applicant must:

    • Be 18 years or older
    • Have significant ties to the Irish state or Northern Ireland
    • Be the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen
    • Have three years of reckonable residence in Ireland within the five-year period immediately preceding application. This must include at least one year of continuous residence prior to Irish citizenship application.
    • Be of good character
    • Agree to declare loyalty to the island of Ireland upon being granted citizenship
    • Have followed all immigration legislation for prior residence

    Required Documents for Irish Citizenship

    In order to gain citizenship in Ireland on the basis of marriage or civil partnership, you must submit supporting evidence proving your eligibility. Required documents can include:

    • Birth certificate and British passport of the applicant
    • Birth certificate or certificate of naturalisation that proves the cultural identity of the Irish national
    • Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
    • Documents that confirm refugee status if applicable
    • Documents that prove the time of reckonable residence, such as a lease or property ownership documents
    • Financial documents such as bank statements
    • Documents that prove good character. These may be police certificates from countries you have lived in.

    If any documents are missing, you will be given a period of 28 days to submit them. Documents that are not originals will need to be certified as copies. The certified document will need to be signed and dated by a recognised third party who can verify that it is a copy or translation of the original document. Acceptable third-party verifiers may include the issuing authority of the original document, a solicitor or barrister, or a post office official. Original documents such as birth certificates will be returned to you by post. Copies will not be returned.

    Costs and Fees for Irish Citizenship

    There are several fees associated with applying for Irish citizenship. Fees are non-refundable in the event your application is rejected. Fees must be paid from a bank draft drawn from an Irish bank.

    Application fee: €175

    Certification fee:

    • €950 – Adult
    • €200 – Minor
    • €200 – Widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen
    • €0 – Recognised refugee or stateless person with documentation

    There may be additional fees for services such as expedited processing, passport fees, and fees for obtaining translated or certified copies of documents.

    Work with our expert immigration lawyers to receive assistance with your Irish Citizenship application. Contact Us

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      Processing Time for Irish Citizenship

      Processing time can vary depending on your application and circumstances. The current average time for processing an application for citizenship by marriage is 23 months. If additional documents are requested during the processing of your application, you will have 28 days to provide them.

      Irish Citizenship Ceremony

      Citizenship ceremonies are typically required for applicants who are granted Irish citizenship by marriage. Your citizenship ceremony will be scheduled for you once your application is approved. You will receive an invitation by post with the date and time of the ceremony that you must attend. This is where you will receive your certificate of naturalisation.

      Applying for an Irish Passport

      Once you have been granted citizenship, you can apply for an Irish passport. Only an Irish citizen can hold an Irish passport.

      • Apply online or by mail to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
      • You may be required to submit original documents such as your birth certificate or British passport when applying. These will be returned to you by post.
      • Pay any passport fees at the time you submit the application form.
      • Wait to receive your Irish passport by post.

      You can use your new Irish passport as proof of your Irish citizenship when travelling. As an Irish or British citizen, you are entitled to travel freely throughout the designated Common Travel Area with either passport.

      Bride putting wedding band on groom's finger.

      If you have any questions about your Irish Citizenship application, our team is happy to assist. Contact Us

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        How Can Total Law Help?

        With Total Law, your post-nuptial citizenship application can be assembled by our team of qualified immigration lawyers. Our team will ensure your documentation is correct and your Irish citizenship application has the best chance of approval.

        Your Total Law advisor will provide you with all the necessary advice to apply for Irish citizenship by marriage.

        For further information, contact us today at 0333 305 9375 or use our online contact form to get in touch with our team of professional immigration lawyers.

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                  Frequently Asked Questions

                  Yes, you can apply for citizenship through marriage or civil partnership. To apply for citizenship through civil partnership, you must meet the following requirements:

                  • You must be 18 years old or older
                  • Your marriage or civil partnership must be recognized as valid under Irish law.
                  • You must be living together as a married couple or civil partners with an Irish citizen for at least 3 years.
                  • You must have been living continuously in Ireland for the last 12 months before the application.

                  Your application will be considered on an individual basis and The Minister for Justice and Equality has the discretion to grant or refuse your application. The application fee is €175.

                  Currently, most applications are processed within a two-year period.

                  A few weeks after you submit your application form, Immigration Service Delivery will reach out to you to let you know if your application has been accepted. Sometimes you may be asked to submit additional documentation. It is important to follow any guidelines regarding additional supporting evidence as this can have an impact on whether your application for Irish citizenship is rejected.

                  Your children will not be automatically granted dual citizenship when you get married to an Irish citizen. However, they may be eligible for Irish residency under family reunification provisions or as UK citizens under the CTA. When you gain Irish citizenship yourself, then your minor-dependent children will also be granted Irish citizenship.

                  As a spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen, upon entering Ireland you will receive a landing stamp in your British passport. The landing stamp will give you permission to stay in Ireland for up to 3 months. The landing stamp itself will not entitle you to Irish citizenship. To become an Irish citizen by marriage, you will have to apply. However, if you are a UK citizen or a Swiss national, you have the right to reside in Ireland freely.