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Citizenship through foreign births registry?

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chi2ire
  3/28/2016 23:14 EST

Hi! I'm moving from Chicago to Ireland in May and am starting to panic. I started the whole process a year ago thinking that it would be enough time, but it seems I was wrong.

I submitted my documentation to get citizenship (which cost a fortune and a solid 6 months to attain) through the foreign births registry at the end of December, but haven't heard back from the Chicago consulate yet. The website said to give it 8-12 weeks, but this seems like a very long time. I'm worried about moving there without citizenship since I'll be needing to get a job right away.

I'm going to start stalking the consulate tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone here has had experience attaining citizenship this way? Did you have any issues? How long did it take? Did you have a problem getting a job?

Thanks in advance!

Sajidirish
  3/29/2016 04:57 EST

Can you in list your documents submitted with your application for foreign birth registration applications.?


approximately it takes 6 months for this process.

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Sajidirish
  3/29/2016 04:57 EST

Can you in list your documents submitted with your application for foreign birth registration applications.?


approximately it takes 6 months for this process.

Meachair54
  3/29/2016 18:34 EST

I registered on FBR and maile all documentation to Ireland Nov.1 got citizenship on Jan2, applied for passport mid Jan. Received passport first week of Mar. The hardest part was getting all my info my GP info from Ire. Was easy, good luck

chi2ire
  3/29/2016 21:29 EST

Where did/do you live? I have to go through the Chicago consulate and they just told me today "I don't know where you got the idea it would be 8 to 12 weeks. We are 2 years behind in processing foreign births." The woman was VERY rude and not at all helpful.

Meachair54
  3/29/2016 22:58 EST

I'm in Fla., Ga. Consulate handled the S.E. U.S. ,but Ga. Closed, emailed Wash. D.C. Consulate they said NYC was now handling Fla. got in contact with NYC, they told me they were so backed up, they were not tacking anymore,they said to send all documentation to Ireland , I believe it was a Roscommon address ,I may be wrong I don't have the paperwork in front of me, I will have to check .

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Mellis5910
  3/30/2016 00:15 EST

Don't be discouraged by snippy embassy staff. They always sound rushed and impatient. I got mine in less than six months, but through the Boston embassy.

Truewho
  3/31/2016 23:34 EST

I live in Florida and getting ready to submit application. All documents need to go through Ireland. I called the Ireland foreign births registry yesterday and they said its taking about 3 months to process for Florida applicants. They were very helpful. Good luck!

DebAckley
  4/1/2016 18:10 EST

Hi! I went thru an agency out of CA..dualirishcitizenship....got my citizenship in 2 months are so...it cost a few pennies...when you get yours apply for your Irish passport right away ...good luck!

Andiquinn
  4/2/2016 20:15 EST

The lady who works in Chicago told me they didn't want us in Ireland! She said the had plenty of workers and didn't need my husband.

Puckboy99
  4/2/2016 23:32 EST

I live in Florida. Mailed all my docs to the FBR in Dublin. Got my citizenship & sent that to the NYC Consulate for my passport.

It took a few months, but really no issues & the Dublin folks were very friendly via emails.

Good luck !

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Meachair54
  4/3/2016 08:07 EST

Hello Puckboy, I also live in Fla. sent my documents on Nov.1,2015, received my citizenship papers Jan.20,2016, then mailed my documentation for passport to NYC, second week in Feb.2016, received passport in end of Mar.2016, everything goes smooth as long as the FBR directions are followed, painless !! Good Luck. to those seeking dual citizenship.

Puckboy99
  4/3/2016 08:37 EST

Congrat Meachair54 !

I'm going over in June....any plans forself ?


To the original poster, maybe gater your docs & try going thru Dublin for the FBR. Once you receive that, the passport should be fast thru Chicago.

Meachair54
  4/3/2016 11:10 EST

Hello Puckboy , Iam going on vacation in July , for a month,in the Kerry area. I have been there six other times. Will be scoping out a permanent property, could be a house , apartment, flat or condo, wife retires in Dec. and want to make move permanent , enjoy your visit.

DonieHoran
  4/3/2016 12:52 EST

Greetings Meachair,
You will be very welcome to Co Kerry & I hope that you/yours enjoy the visit there.If it is of interest to you,I will have a nice detached country house,in a village setting near the coastline in Co Kerry, for sale around that period ,if it is of interest to you. You can email me if interested - one way or another ,enjoy yourself.
[email protected]

Sajidirish
  5/3/2016 23:31 EST

Hello every one.

I belong to pakistan and applied for Foreign birth registration FBR in 26 February 2016 with all th original documents relating to my myself, my parents and my grandfather's BMD.
my application is still in progress till now.
I emailed to irish embassy turkey for update for my application process but they just replied that your application is being checked

initially after the submission of my application around 6 weeks they contacted me over the email by saying they need my attested pictures and my grandfather original birth certificate and your certificate of fbr will be delivered to you after 2 week once they receive my attested pictures and original birth certificate of my grandfather (which was already sent with the application )
I replied to them by saying that I already sent it to you.

Now its been 10 weeks to my application process.

I don't understand that now what are they looking for by saying that your application is being checked now?

does any one had experience?


kind regards

sajid irish

Meachair54
  5/4/2016 12:11 EST

Sadirish, hello how are you, when you sent your attested photo of self,was it your passport picture or drivers liscense copies and were they notorized. Your grandfathers BMD certificates that you sent were they long form originals (certified original). If you did I don't know what to tell you, maybe they misplaced them, Good Luck!!!!!

pobauto
  5/4/2016 13:54 EST

Here in New York City we had to have the original, long form documents, and they had to be certified by the city or town clerk, notarized by the county clerk, and apostled by the state of New York.
I don't know what the procedure for you is, but you may have missed something. Best to contact the Irish Embassy/Consulate to try to clarify the problem. None of them will accept photocopies.

dualquestions
  6/12/2016 08:22 EST

I applied for FBR through the Boston consulate in March but haven't heard anything, I emailed the consulate asking if they received all the documentation but they did't reply. Does anyone know if they ever reach out to you? I'm like overly paranoid that they didn't receive my documents even though I fedexed them and got a confirmation it was delivered. So do they just not respond until they either approve or deny your registration?

Meachair54
  6/12/2016 08:52 EST

Hello , when you send your documents to the embassies in N.Y., Boston, San. Fran. ect. It will take quite a bit longer than if the documents were mailed directly to Ireland. That was my case I live in Fla. and was told by N.Y. Embassy to mail my documents to Ireland the whole process for citizenship took about eight weeks in 2014. Then getting my passport took a little less than four weeks. When dealing with the embassies in the above mentioned places it takes quite a bit longer, they are so back logged. You will not usually hear from them only unless they are missing papers that were not sent by you. Hope this answers your question . Good Luck

Mellis5910
  6/12/2016 09:23 EST

They don't generally respond to email contact, and it does just take a while for the forms to be processed.

You might try calling.

mmccrane
  6/13/2016 00:04 EST

Meachair54 :
I was born in the USA and a citizen with Irish heritage on my fathers side.
My Great Grandparents on my fathers side were both born in Ireland. They met and married here in New Jersey in 1884. My father does not have Irish citizenship nor do I. Do I have a easy path to apply for Irish Citizenship based on this or am I looked as any other USA citizen applying? Happy to make my case to Ireland (Department?) if you think that is the best course.
Thank you in advance.

DebAckley
  6/13/2016 02:48 EST

You can only get citizenship thru your grandparents, not great grandparents. Google Irish citizenship and it will take you to the Irish government site.

Meachair54
  6/13/2016 15:12 EST

Hello, if you go to inis.gov.ie , citizenship through birth, descent , naturalization , it will explain the options on becoming an Irish Citizen. I believe they did away with granting citizenship through great grand parents many years ago. But this site with explain it all good luck.

Truewho
  8/28/2016 20:54 EST

Meachair54,

I just sent all my stuff in on 08/21 to Dublin address also from Florida. I have a few questions if you dont mind.
Did you have to get the Apostle Seal on everything? I have sent all long forms but did not get the seals.

Did you send money order or pay by credit card? I sent my credit card info because there was a space on the app for it but I read somewhere else about a money order.

Do they notify you at all about the status of the app or can you email for status?

Thanks!
Traci

Meachair54
  8/29/2016 06:56 EST

True who,
No I did not get the Apostle' seals all I got were the the seals on all my long forms that the state of N.Y. Puts on them to make them certified copies. I sent my fee with a U.S. Postal money order.
I hope you sent three copies of everything you had with the proper noterization. No I didn't hear back about anything , the only way you hear back is if you are missing something. It wasn't long before I received my citizenshiip papers less then two months I believe. Don't expect anything official looking when you get it back the mailman delivers it in a plain brown envelope that you have to sign for.
If you put in everything required don't sweat it but might take a little longer than mine , Britain wasn't breaking away from the EU. Good Luck it be there in no time !!!! Meachair 54

bogart2
  8/29/2016 13:22 EST

Apostille are not necessary. Long forms (birth and marriage) are. Would be surprised if they accepted a credit card -- the form says not. Should need a cashier's check or money order. Less than six months from submitting for registry to receipt of passport for the spouse.

jsn444
  9/28/2016 16:11 EST

It can take up to six months. My wife got her's in about 6 weeks but that was about 4 years ago. After you get the citizenship, you'll need to get an Irish passport. Because citizens of Ireland can have an Irish or UK passport, many Irish with UK passports are switching to Irish passports because of Britexit. They want to keep the benefits of EU citizenship. This has caused a major backup in the issuing of Irish passports. I believe you can track the progress of your application for Foreign Birth Registry on the Consulate web site.

jsn444
  9/28/2016 16:17 EST

I believe that great grandchildren are still eligible, but the grandchild must have had citizenship before giving birth to the great grand children.

Meachair54
  9/28/2016 19:46 EST

Other Irish ancestors
Unless at least one parent or an Irish-born grandparent was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, you cannot claim Irish citizenship on the basis of extended previous ancestry (that is, ancestors other than your parents or grandparents). In addition, you cannot claim Irish citizenship on the basis that relation such as a cousin, aunt or uncle was an Irish citizen if none of your parents or grandparents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth.

Sajidirish
  11/7/2016 07:04 EST

Hello there
I hope all of you are fine.

I became Irish citizen by FBR on behalf of my grandfather who was born in Ireland and got my FBR on 5 June 2016.

My daughter was born in Pakistan in September 2016 after 3 months of receiving my FBR certificate as Irish citizen.

What I need to understand that my daughter would be considered as irish by birth and I have to apply her passport directly or I need to apply her FBR certificate.
Please advice

Sajidirish
  11/7/2016 07:04 EST

Hello there
I hope all of you are fine.

I became Irish citizen by FBR on behalf of my grandfather who was born in Ireland and got my FBR on 5 June 2016.

My daughter was born in Pakistan in September 2016 after 3 months of receiving my FBR certificate as Irish citizen.

What I need to understand that my daughter would be considered as irish by birth and I have to apply her passport directly or I need to apply her FBR certificate.
Please advice

Muddled
  11/7/2016 08:48 EST

Citizenship doesn't extend to great grandchildren. Only children and grandchildren are entitled to be registered foreign born Irish.

Muddled
  11/7/2016 08:49 EST

Citizenship doesn't extend to great grandchildren. Only children and grandchildren are entitled to be registered foreign born Irish.

Puckboy99
  11/7/2016 09:20 EST

You would have to apply for her FBR using your FBR, as you are now an Irish citizen.

Like when you got yours tracing your lineage back to your Irish citizen grandfather, now all you need to do is trace your daughter's lineage to her Irish citizen tie, which is you.

Puckboy99
  11/7/2016 09:26 EST

See www.dfa.ie for more FAQs.

Any kids you had BEFORE getting your FBR are not eligible, but children you have AFTER getting your FBR are, you just have to apply for it.....or they can later in life, if the law stays the same.

Meachair54
  11/7/2016 16:24 EST

Hello Sajidirish , your child was born after you received your citizenship from the FBR., then your child is allowed to also claim Irish citizenship through FBR, it's in black and white go to citizenship.ie. ( by descent ) congratulations your child is very lucky that he waited for your citizenship through FBR , once again good luck on your endeavors!!!

Meachair54
  11/7/2016 16:32 EST

Hello Sajridish, your child is entitled to Irish citizenship , don't go by what some people say they are wrong, read the rules of FBR by going to citizen.ie ( citizenship by descent ) it tells you all you need to know once again congratulations!!! On citizenship and the birth of your child !!!!

Mauraoleary
  11/7/2016 17:25 EST

Hello, I have made inquiries concerning this very subject and was told by immigration here in Ireland applicant's parent or grandparent MUST have been a citizen of Ireland (through birth or decent) PRIOR to said applicants birth.

I believe meachair may have been referencing the website citizensinformation.ie. Here on this site is all the information I needed to apply, be granted citizenship and make a seamless move to Ireland. Within the section Foreign Births Registrar it is explained in first two paragraphs.. The last sentence of second paragraph states in bold letters ..."before the birth of the next generation. " I would guess this is highlighted in bold because of so much misinterpretation.

I hope this helps!

Meachair54
  11/7/2016 18:01 EST

Foreign Births Register

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains the Foreign Births Register where people who are eligible to become Irish citizens can register their birth. If you have a grandparent born in Ireland or if your parent was granted Irish citizenship or was deemed to be an Irish citizen before you were born, then you can apply to register in the Foreign Births Register – see ‘How to apply’ below.

If you are entitled to register, your Irish citizenship is effective from the date of registration. The Irish citizenship of successive generations may be maintained in this way by each generation ensuring their registration in the Foreign Births Register before the birth of the next generation.

Since 1 July 1986, a person registered in the Foreign Births Entry Book after 1986 is deemed to be an Irish citizen only from the date of their entry in the Register and not from the date of birth. This means that children born to that person before their date of entry in the Register are not entitled to citizenship.

People registered before July 1986 are deemed Irish citizens either from the date the original Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act came into force, that is, 17 July 1956, or their date of birth, whichever is later. Only children born after 17 July 1956 can claim citizenship in such cases.

SAM72
  3/12/2017 13:06 EST

I applied for my FBR Certificate at the Irish Embassy in London in October 2016 and still not heard back. I did ring to confirm receipt of my application and asked about time-scales and the lady I spoke to was extremely rude. She basically said that I was applying because of Brexit and that since the Brexit vote "Everyone wants to be Irish". It took a lot for me not to bite, not least because the Brexit result had nothing at all to with my application. I was very close to my Grandfather who passed away several years ago and my motivation for applying was ancestral - I wanted to do something to honour him if you like. Unfortunately, by the time I was in a position to apply the Brexit vote happened. But it wasn't so much that this woman made an uninformed assumption but her unpleasant attitude. Frankly, it's the first negative experience I've ever had with an Irish person and it was both unexpected and disappointing not least because she clearly doesn't have a problem living and working in England.

Meachair54
  3/12/2017 17:58 EST

Hello Sam72,
Since the Bretix situation, applications for FBR, and new Irish passport applications are back logged a good nine months even more. The lady who gave you a rude response was probably overloaded with applications and frustrated, give her a break. Your response about the lady living and working in England , she is hired and works for Ireland in the Irish Embassy which is a part of Ireland ,everybody has a bad day. Good luck with your FBR application.

Johnofgowran
  3/22/2017 07:03 EST

Just for the sake of an update.
I submitted FBR applications for two of my children back in Nov. having heard nothing since then I rang them and found out today that both were approved and the certificate is on the way. It occurred on March 3rd. So 4 months Plus mail time. Last January I submitted the application for my 1st child and the turn around time was between 2-3 months.. applications were straight forward, citizenship through grandparent born on the island, mailed from the USA to Dublin. I held off calling them, because I know they are busy, but because I was concerned that the app might have been lost in the mail (on the first one I saw that they cashed the payment, on this one I paid upfront online). The bloke who answered was a perfect help, courteous and patient, I could have been better prepared and had the application number handy. When I suggested that I would get it and call back he just asked for the names of the applicants and gave me the information. Very happy day.

chi2ire
  3/22/2017 07:51 EST

I actually did receive my fbr certificate in January. So it took a little over a year through the Chicago consulate. Overall the experience was horrible. It seems as though the best way to get the certificate issued is to go through the Dublin office.

stephenrobinson
  3/22/2017 09:31 EST

All those making an application for an Irish FBR (Foreign Birth Registration & citizenship) may like to know just how efficient the Irish Government embassy and consular staff have been in my case.
In these days of red tape and long waiting times, it's really quite amazing.
I delivered my FBR application to the Irish Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia on 15 March 2017. Seven (yes 7) days later, I got a phone call saying it had been issued and would I please arrange collection.
I took a lot of time and trouble to make sure every single application document was in order and included, and I think that helped a lot - help them to make the processing as easy as possible.
Truly a great job and great service by the Irish Embassy Lusaka.

Johnofgowran
  3/22/2017 17:41 EST

Just for the sake of an update.
I submitted FBR applications for two of my children back in Nov. having heard nothing since then I rang them and found out today that both were approved and the certificate is on the way. It occurred on March 3rd. So 4 months Plus mail time. Last January I submitted the application for my 1st child and the turn around time was between 2-3 months.. applications were straight forward, citizenship through grandparent born on the island, mailed from the USA to Dublin. I held off calling them, because I know they are busy, but because I was concerned that the app might have been lost in the mail (on the first one I saw that they cashed the payment, on this one I paid upfront online). The bloke who answered was a perfect help, courteous and patient, I could have been better prepared and had the application number handy. When I suggested that I would get it and call back he just asked for the names of the applicants and gave me the information. Very happy day.

MoBurns
  3/23/2017 12:14 EST

I did receive my citizenship through the foreign birth registry; it took about a year from start until I received my passport. I went through the Washington DC embassy as I lived in DC at the time.

geneinsj
  3/24/2017 15:25 EST

Hi,
I've been reading this forum for a couple of months but this is my first time commenting.
I just received my Foreign Birth Certificate today. (yay!!!)
I sent my application and documentation out in early November, so it's been a little over 4 months. I'd called the embassy a few weeks ago but they couldn't tell me where it was in the process. They basically said that if I'd heard nothing, there was no problem with my application.

kopycetic
  5/26/2017 16:09 EST

Hi chi2ire,
This was very similar to my own experience with the Chicago Embassy. I applied for my FBR in April of last year and was registered 10 months later in February. Other applicants on other message boards applied after me and were referred through the Dublin office and had already received both FBR and passports well before mine was processed. I've applied for a passport through the Chicago Embassy and am terrified that this will now drag on for another year. And of course the application for passport requires you send them your original FBR, so I now have no proof of citizenship until my passport is processed....... however long that will take (website estimated 8 months at the earliest).

Additionally, I was hoping to apply for global entry to make my summer/fall travel on my US passport faster, but as I have to declare and show supporting docs for all citizenships, I now have to wait until I get my FBR back to even apply for that. I have been unable to find any info on the Chicago Embassy's website about ording a certified copy of your FBR. I'd like to have a back-up, but I fear that even if that was an option it would likely take just as long to process and receive. I have a feeling I'm stuck, as far as travel goes, until Chicago can dig itself out of the year-ish rut its in.

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