Foreign Birth Registration?

[Mak2386]

Did they ask for additional information via e-mail? Or regular mail?

They have requested via E-mail.
but they need original documents with copies. so I DHL them.
since then ( 22nd Sept) they are checking....

[bluemoon2]

Hello Everyone!!

I submitted my daughters application(6 month old baby) Last nov 2017.
Feb 2018 asked for additional documents.
Mar 2018 submitted the documents.
And now they told us to wait for another 3-4 months for decision.
I wonder what else do they need to check that will take that long?
I know its just 6 months altogether from the date of application, and for us it will take 2-3 months longer than 6 months if we need to wait for another 3-4 months again. What sort of things do they need to check??? I am hoping that our baby will not turn 1 year old when she gets to Ireland.

Its very frustrating as I am suffering from it too , unfortunately there is no good news for them whose babies are born abroad , I do not want to discourage you but I think your application will take one year from now ,
I applied for my one year old baby in January 2017 and they asked me for more documents in May 2017 which I sent them within a week , since then I am waiting , IA asked them few times they said we are processing it , its 14 months now and I don,t expect anything at least before 6 months and I also know few people who are suffering from exact same situation with same circumstances .

Its g disgraceful and inhuman how they treat the babies born abroad.

[RDWRER]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has all been answered before but I couldn't find anything after a quick search. Will be applying for FBR in the coming weeks and need a bit of clarification:

• My grandparent's Irish passport is expired -this shouldn't matter, right? Citizenship doesn't depend on a valid passport after all.

• Will I get all my original documents back? (Birth/Marriage certificates etc) I've seen mixed results on this.

• Is it correct that only passport photocopies need notarising? Not all the other certificates/bills I have to send. Also, is there a preferred person to be a notary or a notary they definitely won't accept?

I'd like to make the process as smooth as possible (i.e not have documents sent back to me to change)

Many thanks,

R

[FBR365]

Been following this board for a while now and thought should post my timings in case it helps...

Sent materials to London embassy: first week of Oct 2017
Chased and got the "advanced stage" email 2nd week of March 2018
FBR Cert issued 3rd week of March 2018

Good luck all!

[Essaouira]

Here's my timeline..

Applying for my children

Sent in application and docs to London Embassy 2/11/2017
Email requesting more recent proof of address for myself and both children 16/3/2018
Requested docs sent 21/3/2018
Confirmation of receipt by email 26/3/2018
Email this morning 28/3/2018 saying applications are "approved and are near completion" but warning there is still some paperwork to complete.

When paperwork complete in Dublin the paperwork will be sent back to London from where they will be forwarded to me which may yet take some weeks apparently.

I take heart that the fact the application has been "approved" means my boys have reached the required standard to be considered Irish! All done bar the certificate now I'm hoping.

I have to say that apart from the long silence between 2/11/2017 and 16/3/2018 the communication has been great and emails have been answered quickly, informatively and personally (ie not standard boilerplate forms loosely associated with the question asked) and I haven't had to push for updates as they have been forthcoming with them unprompted.

Top job, Dublin, given the stack that must be in their in-trays!

[IrishGem]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has all been answered before but I couldn't find anything after a quick search. Will be applying for FBR in the coming weeks and need a bit of clarification:

• My grandparent's Irish passport is expired -this shouldn't matter, right? Citizenship doesn't depend on a valid passport after all.

• Will I get all my original documents back? (Birth/Marriage certificates etc) I've seen mixed results on this.

• Is it correct that only passport photocopies need notarising? Not all the other certificates/bills I have to send. Also, is there a preferred person to be a notary or a notary they definitely won't accept?

I'd like to make the process as smooth as possible (i.e not have documents sent back to me to change)

Many thanks,

R

Hi RDWRER,

All photocopies of a passport id page must be from a current passport. The requirement here is actually any state issued ID document, so a photocopy of a driving licence will do. See link.

All original documents must be supplied with a photocopy, except the passport or driving licence, which is supplied as a certified/notarised photocopy. You can get this certified at a main Post Office for about a tenner, see link. Photocopies of other documents do not need to be certified/notarised (because you have enclosed the original).

All original documents are returned at the end of the process but I must confess my application is currently in process, so I only have the word of others on this forum. I've not heard of any disasters.

Hope this helps,
Gem.

[IrishGem]

I applied in late September 2017 and finally heard back today, in late March 2018

My grandfather changed his name from Eleazar to Jack ...but not by deed poll! (because 'things were different back 40 years ago' etc) The name on his birth certificate therefore does not match the one on his driving license or passport

They asked if they have any evidence of the name change, don't know what to do???

Hi sera1,

I'm not an expert on such matters but as you are trying to supply your Grandfather's ID document, I take it he is still with us (apologies but I have no idea as to his or your age)? If so, he may be able to instruct a solicitor to draw up an affidavit (a sworn document) where your Grandfather confirms the name change himself and that his old name and new name refer to the same person. You need to discuss this with someone at the Irish embassy first, though, I am only an amateur.

A friend of mine of Spanish decent had to do this when acquiring his first passport as his parents had not consistently used the same name on all his documents (missing middle names, incomplete surname). In that case, the authorities needed to know all the documentation referred to the same person.

Hope this helps,
Gem

[jpcti]

Anyone have experience with the ""final approval"" language used in this reply from FBR person? Does this mean my application is all in order and just needs final check and sign off?

==============

Dear Mr applicant,


Thank you for your email, I have reviewed our records and I can confirm your application has been submitted for a final approval, please note this process can take 8-10 weeks. Thanking you.


Kindest regards,

Department of Foreign Affairs

Consular Division

[Nickgooner80]

Finally got my certificate today. Received at Irish Embassy in London late September. Letter dated 7th March received 29th March.

Good luck everyone with your applications

[Essaouira]

Anyone have experience with the ""final approval"" language used in this reply from FBR person? Does this mean my application is all in order and just needs final check and sign off?

==============

Dear Mr applicant,


Thank you for your email, I have reviewed our records and I can confirm your application has been submitted for a final approval, please note this process can take 8-10 weeks. Thanking you.


Kindest regards,

Department of Foreign Affairs

Consular Division

I had similar then a couple of days later had an email saying applications had been approved. I think the weeks that follow are taken up with miscellaneous paperwork and posting to and fro.

[SligoBound]

Thanks to all who posted about their experiences. Adding mine here.
My three sisters and I, all US citizens, claimed citizenship through descent as our grandparents were born in Sligo. We submitted our online applications on October 26, 2017. We sent in the signed hard copy applications along with a single set of supporting documents which arrived in Dublin on November 27, 2017. On February 2, 2018 one of my sisters received an email query regarding payment and after a brief email exchange she received an email on February 5, 2018 indicating that our applications had been "submitted for approval" and that "as we have a backlog in applications you should be receiving your certificates and all original documents within 10 weeks from now after they are approved". All four of us received an email on Friday, March 16, 2018 that began "Congratulations you are now an Irish citizen". I'm still waiting on the return of my original documents, but the important part is done.
Good luck to all!

[RDWRER]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has all been answered before but I couldn't find anything after a quick search. Will be applying for FBR in the coming weeks and need a bit of clarification:

• My grandparent's Irish passport is expired -this shouldn't matter, right? Citizenship doesn't depend on a valid passport after all.

• Will I get all my original documents back? (Birth/Marriage certificates etc) I've seen mixed results on this.

• Is it correct that only passport photocopies need notarising? Not all the other certificates/bills I have to send. Also, is there a preferred person to be a notary or a notary they definitely won't accept?

I'd like to make the process as smooth as possible (i.e not have documents sent back to me to change)

Many thanks,

R

Hi RDWRER,

All photocopies of a passport id page must be from a current passport. The requirement here is actually any state issued ID document, so a photocopy of a driving licence will do. See link.

All original documents must be supplied with a photocopy, except the passport or driving licence, which is supplied as a certified/notarised photocopy. You can get this certified at a main Post Office for about a tenner, see link. Photocopies of other documents do not need to be certified/notarised (because you have enclosed the original).

All original documents are returned at the end of the process but I must confess my application is currently in process, so I only have the word of others on this forum. I've not heard of any disasters.

Hope this helps,
Gem.

Thanks Gem,

That is very helpful. I take it the State Issued ID does not have to be the Irish state? My Grandfather has a British driving licence. I know this is a silly question as I type it as a driving licence has nothing to do with citizenship but I'm being extra careful with this application...

Many thanks for the tips on copies and the post office.

Regards,
R

[Jezabel]

I just received all my documents and my entry in the FBR as an Irish citizen, along with a friendly note from the officer in the DFA who processed my application... very relieved!

I sent the documents to the London Embassy on the 20th September, then on 6th March I had an email requesting my Grandmother's baptismal certificate as there was no name on her birth cert as she had not been named. I found the baptismal certificate with some help from a researcher, but the name was slightly different so I was on tenterhooks.

Good luck to all still waiting!

[griselda]

Just thought I'd post re my experience of Irish Foreign Birth Registration.

My paternal grandparents were born in Ireland in the late 19th century and the most difficult part was finding their birth/marriage certificates. It didn't help that a lot of the information I thought I knew about them was wrong and there was no one left to ask details. I started by getting my father's English birth certificate which gave my grandmother's maiden name, then I found a fantastic website irishgenealogy.ie which allowed me to find exactly where my grandparents were born and married and how to get copies of the certificates. This took a while but it wasn't difficult and gave me a lot of other fascinating information too.

Once I'd gathered all the necessary certificates etc, I asked a friend who's a Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) to witness the application. He didn't have a stamp but gave the address of the Court where he sits and that has obviously been enough. I paid for the application online and that presented the only hiccup. The payment part of the website fell over and didn't accept my payment. When it was back up again the exchange rate had changed and it cost me £11 less, so even that was a bonus.

I sent the application off to be signed for on receipt so I would know they'd got it on 27/09/17 understanding that the lead time for receiving the certificate would be 6 months. Today I received my certificate and a form and information leaflet on how to apply for an Irish Passport, together will all the original certificates I had sent.

So yes it took some work on my part, and quite a while for the Irish Embassy to check it all, but I'm not surprised about that, after all they are granting you citizenship of their country so they should check you out thoroughly.

[IrishGem]

... history removed for brevity ...

Thanks Gem,

That is very helpful. I take it the State Issued ID does not have to be the Irish state? My Grandfather has a British driving licence. I know this is a silly question as I type it as a driving licence has nothing to do with citizenship but I'm being extra careful with this application...

Many thanks for the tips on copies and the post office.

Regards,
R

Hi R,

There are inconsistencies in the various sources of documentation on how to go about the FBR process. So here is what I found:

1) Reading my FB1A application form (the form you actually apply with, it is generated by the online web form), the text says a: "Certified/Notarized copy of the photograph page of current passport or state issued identity document (e.g. Driver's Licence)".

2) There is an old PDF floating about that applies to the process before it was moved to an online service, titled: "Irish Citizenship through Descent/Foreign Birth Registration - Notes for Residents in Great Britain". it asks for a: "Copy of current EU Passport/ Copy of non EU Passport certified by relevant Embassy/High Commission in the UK".

3) Looking at the official guidance on FBR from the Irish Embassy in GB they ask for a: "Certified/Notarised Copy of current Passport" without mention of an alternative ID document.

4) Looking at the official guidance on FBR from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade they ask for a: "Certified/Notarised copy of the photograph page of current passport or state issued identity document (e.g. Driver's Licence)".

I would take the FB1A form [1] as authoritative, so a Driving Licence will be fine. Considering [2], an ID document issued by a fellow EU member state will also be fine. When I applied, I took "state issued ID" to mean an ID document issued by any state, so I used my British passport for me.

However, I generated my FB1A form in mid November 2017, so things may have changed. Should you encounter problems after submission (i.e. if it has changed to passport only), I would encourage you to encourage your Grandfather to renew his passport asap so as not to delay your response.

Good luck,
Gem

[lwillia89]

I've been following this for a while without posting, so just wanted to share my experience.
Finally managed to gather the relevant documents in January, completed the form and paid the fee online. The FBR application was witnessed by my local vicar (no stamp or business card). I then submitted this to the London Embassy on 23rd January 2018, and I received an automated e-mail on 29th January 2018 to say it had been received and applications were taking 6 months to process.

Will update on any progress.

All the best,
Luke

[Somerton]

Just wanted to post my timeline for everyone:

FBR documents received by Irish Embassy in London on 13/9/17
Certificate and returned documents received 20/3/18
I didn't chase it inbetween, and the certificate is dated 16/2/18.

So all in all, the current timeline from start to finish appears to be around 6 months, as others have stated. Mine was a straightforward case of an Irish grandfather (deceased) - I was concerned that both his first and middle names were incorrect on his 106 year old birth certificate (i.e. did not match his marriage/death certificates, and what we all knew him by) but I put a cover note explaining this, and evidently it caused no issue.

Good luck everyone, and best wishes.

[Mak2386]

I think there is no specific timelines as application are processing case to case basis.
My timelines :
Doc submitted to London embassy 2nd June 2017
Additional docs asked by Irish Embassy 8th Sept 2017
Document submitted to Irish Embassy 22nd Sept 2017
and no response from there, I have been told today, they don't know how much time they further need.

[russkyhusky]

I received my foreign birth certificate this week and thought I'd share my timeline - it was very helpful to read others' while I was waiting!

Documents submitted 19th September 2017
Certificate dated 5th March 2018
Covering letter dated 8th March 2018
Certificate and documents received 31st March 2018

Interestingly, unlike some others I was not informed when my application had been successful and that I would soon receive my certificate - so it was a complete surprise when it arrived! All in all everything took just over six months - any longer and I probably would have made contact. Good luck to everyone still waiting/applying!

[Jezabel]

I received my foreign birth certificate this week and thought I'd share my timeline - it was very helpful to read others' while I was waiting!

Documents submitted 19th September 2017
Certificate dated 5th March 2018
Covering letter dated 8th March 2018
Certificate and documents received 31st March 2018

Interestingly, unlike some others I was not informed when my application had been successful and that I would soon receive my certificate - so it was a complete surprise when it arrived! All in all everything took just over six months - any longer and I probably would have made contact. Good luck to everyone still waiting/applying!

That's interesting RussyHusky - I sent mine on the same day as you and received the letter on the same day too, despite having been asked for futher documentation

19/09/2017 Application sent to Irish Embassy in London
08/02/2018 Email from DFA (Dublin) requesting additional documentation
24/02/2018 Additional docs sent to DFA
06/03/2018 Additional docs received by DFA
13/03/2018 Entry onto FBR
26/03/2018 FBR cert with covering letter sent from DFA
31/03/2018 Received FBR Cert

[RDWRER]

I have received the following reply from the Irish Embassy in London:

"The witness of your application can certify the photocopy of a passport or drivers licence.


The witness must be from one of the following professions only and :

(a) Must be currently residing and practicing in the UK

(b) Must not be related in any way to the Applicant

Police Officer (including collar number and Station Stamp if available)
Members of the Clergy (We define a member of the Clergy as a person who can officiate at Ceremonies e.g. Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals etc.)
Medical Doctor (Must be registered with the General Medical Council)
Solicitor (Must be registered with the Law Society)
Bank Manager/Building Society Manager
School Principal/Head Teacher
Head of Department at University/College
Magistrate/Judge"

This should clear things up for anyone like myself who wanted to know which notaries they will accept. Turns out anyone who is eligible to witness the application is also eligible to notarise the photocopy of the ID.

Thanks to @IrishGem for the help. This also seems to clear up the ambiguity on "State Issued ID".

[quote=IrishGem post_id=1616860 time=1522585206 user_id=183194]

[caferacer]

Reading all the latest, mine must be close...!, just shy of 5 months now..

[Mabelhank]

I can’t believe it! My certificate came today! I was so worried because not all the names and dates matched up in my paperwork, but I gave an explanation in the cover letter and I guess that was good enough!

Submitted 12/5/17
Entered 3/27/18
Received 4/7/18

Almost exactly only 4 months!

I’m in the US.

[saxonthebeach]

Does anyone have the email address to contact for US-based applicants? My application was received in Dublin 17 Nov 2017 in the same package as my brother's. I tried the contact form on the website a few weeks ago but have had nothing come back. Now that there have been at least a couple repots on this thread of US apps submitted after mine that have been returned already, I'm curious to see what the holdup is.

[caferacer]

They always say 6 months..4 months is great, and lucky...its case by case, their s probably no hold up...