Foreign Birth Registration?

[brawn401]

Hi all,
I've been watching from the shadows. Come to join the fight.

application number xxx445 confirmed received by london 6th July 2018.

Welcome to our collective Ricky

You and I are in almost an identical boat here. Applied from the UK, mine was confirmed received in London on the 2nd July 2018, and mine was also sent off for approval (in November they said when I called before Christmas) and since then no update.

I called again on Monday this week. No change in status (still in approval queue) and they said that I should hear something before January is up. However as you said, the volume of British applications is no doubt slowing things down and the DFA staff must be up to their ears! All bets are off here as well!!

[nic123]

Hi,

I've been following this thread for a while too.

My timeline...

Applying via grandfather.
Application received London 25/6/2018
Request for mother's death certificate 7/11/2018
Received in Dublin 14/11/2018

No news since so I emailed yesterday but no reply yet.
The waiting is killing me. Must be close now.

[ricky7384]

Hi all,
I've been watching from the shadows. Come to join the fight.

application number xxx445 confirmed received by london 6th July 2018.

Welcome to our collective Ricky

You and I are in almost an identical boat here. Applied from the UK, mine was confirmed received in London on the 2nd July 2018, and mine was also sent off for approval (in November they said when I called before Christmas) and since then no update.

I called again on Monday this week. No change in status (still in approval queue) and they said that I should hear something before January is up. However as you said, the volume of British applications is no doubt slowing things down and the DFA staff must be up to their ears! All bets are off here as well!!

Thanks Brawn401
Ive been following your updates. You were my canary in the coalmine.
The DFA has updated the time limit to 12months on their website. They did it just as my 6 months had finished and I was all excited my FBR certificate would arrive any minute. buggers lol. If we've made it to final approval I'm sure everything will be fine. Just stuck in the Brexit refugee queue.

[Asdf1234]

Pretty sure, almost positive, my application online was already submitted prior to this change.

Interesting how they just change things willy nilly.

I applied about 4 days ago...that’s how new this change is.

I submitted my application, and FBR received it on Dec 6, 2018. I submitted 2 photos and my application was witnessed by a medical doctor.

Did anyone else notice that in addition to the recent change in the requirements from 2 photos to 4 photos, they also removed some professions from the witness list such as Medical Doctor and Bank Manager (they added Commissioner for Oaths)? It seems like they’re making it harder to get the applications witnessed.

I’m hoping that since they received my application at the beginning of December, this will not be an issue. I’m assuming the changes will not be retroactive to applications submitted before they updated the website.

Did anyone else have their application recently witnessed by a medical doctor or bank manager?

[spiderplants]

I can't remember the wording when I applied but it's saying 'At present it takes approximately 6 months to process a completed Foreign Birth Registration application. However, due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration, it may take up to 12 months to process an application.' This doesn't sound that different to what it was before.

The witness bit has always been a little odd - as though we all still live in small towns and villages where we all know our doctors and bank managers. That they've removed those (and head teacher) possibly reflects who they're getting as witnesses? They're all only the 'legal' ones now though as opposed to being just professions. I struggled with this part though so some people will find this really difficult/impossible.

[bostonceltics]

Bostonceltics,
Here is my timeline for APS2E Irish Passport Application submitted August 2018;

19-06-2018: Passport APS2E Application Sent to Chicago Consulate with required Certificates.
20-06-2018: Confirmed Delivery of Passport Application to Irish Consulate in Chicago.
27-06-2018: Application arrives in Dublin, the Passport Tracker shows application is being “Reviewed” with an estimated completion date of 07/08/2018.
07-08-2018: Status Changed to PRINTING!
08-08-2018: Status Changed to DISPATCHED! (from Dublin back to Chicago Consulate office)
13-08-2018: Email from Fed Ex with Tracking Number from Chicago Office to my home. Adult Signature Required.
14-08-2018: Passport Delivered.

Entire Process took Exactly 8 Weeks from the day I sent my application to the Chicago Consulate until the Irish Passport arrived at my home via Fed Ex.

I did check the online ‘Passport Tracker’ a few times between 27/06/18 and 07/08/18, but the Estimated Completion date was always 07/08/18. No delays.

It would be helpful if the FBR Application Process had a similiar On-line Tracker for FBR Applications.
I currently have 2 FBR Applications 'pending' for my sons.

Best of Luck on your Passport Application!

Thanks UpLiam. UK Applicants currently. are being advised that it should take about 43 working days to process.

Good luck to your 2 sons for their FBR applications.

[Kellie18]

Finally my wait is over!
I have just received my birth cert this evening! I have been following this thread since last year. I thought my application was fairly straightforward. I was a UK applicant and I applied through my grandmother but for some reason it still took 8 months.

For anyone wondering, I submitted 2 passport photos and they were witnessed.

Here's my timeline:
Application sent - 15/5/18
Application received - 16/5/18
I heard nothing until mid October when I was asked to get my passport certified.
All my other documents were fine.
Passport ID certified & sent - 13/10/18
Received - 19/10/18
I heard nothing over christmas even though I had emailed about 5 times.
Entered into the FBR : 3/12/18
FBC Recieved = 17/1/19

Now just to wait for my passport application to arrive and then start some more waiting!
I hope to have my passport by Easter at least.
Good luck to everyone still waiting!

[Designchemical]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all of the advise so far!

I have a very simple question - the application form I printed has space for 2 photos. I have photos, which have been signed on the back by a witness.

Did you stick the photos to the form or just attach with a paper clip? If signed on the back Im not sure how they can see that if I stick them to the paper ...

Many thanks

[emlyn]

Did you stick the photos to the form or just attach with a paper clip? If signed on the back Im not sure how they can see that if I stick them to the paper ...

I used a paperclip to attach the 2 photos, and did the same for my solicitor friend's business card as it was double-sided.

After I had submitted my application, I thought it may have been better to fold a small piece of paper over the passport photos prior to using the paperclip; to protect the photos from being scratched.

[Asdf1234]

Did you stick the photos to the form or just attach with a paper clip? If signed on the back Im not sure how they can see that if I stick them to the paper ...

I used a paperclip to attach the 2 photos, and did the same for my solicitor friend's business card as it was double-sided.

After I had submitted my application, I thought it may have been better to fold a small piece of paper over the passport photos prior to using the paperclip; to protect the photos from being scratched.

I asked FBR about this before I submitted my application and this is the response I got:

You can staple the photographs to the application form provided that you do not staple through the face part of the photograph.

I didn’t fee comfortable stapling through a photo so I stapled the envelope (provided by the photographer and containing the photos) to the application.

[Michael123]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all of the advise so far!

I have a very simple question - the application form I printed has space for 2 photos. I have photos, which have been signed on the back by a witness.

Did you stick the photos to the form or just attach with a paper clip? If signed on the back Im not sure how they can see that if I stick them to the paper ...

Many thanks

Newer applicants need 4 photos!! Make sure you look at the instructions.

[emlyn]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all of the advise so far!

I have a very simple question - the application form I printed has space for 2 photos. I have photos, which have been signed on the back by a witness.

Did you stick the photos to the form or just attach with a paper clip? If signed on the back Im not sure how they can see that if I stick them to the paper ...

Many thanks

Newer applicants need 4 photos!! Make sure you look at the instructions.

Specifically, check the 'Documentary requirements for FBR application' info/checklist which is generated with the application form PDF.

[Designchemical]

Did you stick the photos to the form or just attach with a paper clip? If signed on the back Im not sure how they can see that if I stick them to the paper ...

I used a paperclip to attach the 2 photos, and did the same for my solicitor friend's business card as it was double-sided.

After I had submitted my application, I thought it may have been better to fold a small piece of paper over the passport photos prior to using the paperclip; to protect the photos from being scratched.

I asked FBR about this before I submitted my application and this is the response I got:

You can staple the photographs to the application form provided that you do not staple through the face part of the photograph.

I didn’t fee comfortable stapling through a photo so I stapled the envelope (provided by the photographer and containing the photos) to the application.

Will staple the envelope. Good idea!

Thanks everyone for the advice

[RDWRER]

Applied 30th May 18

Updated Passport Copies requested 19th October

Copies Sent 2nd November

Application Forwarded for Final Approval 15th November

Still waiting for approval.

Received my certificate in the post this weekend! So an update timeline below:

Applied 30th May 18

Updated Passport Copies requested 19th October

Copies Sent 2nd November

Application Forwarded for Final Approval 15th November

Date of Entry on FBR 28th December 18

Certificate Receive 19th Jan 2019

[spiderplants]

Applied 30th May 18

Updated Passport Copies requested 19th October

Copies Sent 2nd November

Application Forwarded for Final Approval 15th November

Still waiting for approval.

Received my certificate in the post this weekend! So an update timeline below:

Applied 30th May 18

Updated Passport Copies requested 19th October

Copies Sent 2nd November

Application Forwarded for Final Approval 15th November

Date of Entry on FBR 28th December 18

Certificate Receive 19th Jan 2019

Why did they ask for passport copies? Are they routinely asking for updated passport copies once they reach the 6 month mark?

[james_mcfc]

Pleased to report that I have now received my FBR certificate!

So my final timeline is:

17/07/2018 Application submitted online (No. ***424)
25/07/2018 Documents received by London Embassy
16/11/2018 Response received to my email to the FBR team stating application had been put forward for approval
27/11/2018 Application approved and entered into FBR
22/01/2019 FBR certificate received with returned supporting documents.

So I’m just a couple of days short of the 6 month turnaround time based on the date the Embassy received my documents.

Now onto the passport application for me; as someone else suggested earlier in the thread I requested the form ahead of time from the Embassy. Good idea!

Good luck to those of you still waiting.

[RDWRER]

Applied 30th May 18

Updated Passport Copies requested 19th October

Copies Sent 2nd November

Application Forwarded for Final Approval 15th November

Still waiting for approval.

Received my certificate in the post this weekend! So an update timeline below:

Applied 30th May 18

Updated Passport Copies requested 19th October

Copies Sent 2nd November

Application Forwarded for Final Approval 15th November

Date of Entry on FBR 28th December 18

Certificate Receive 19th Jan 2019

Why did they ask for passport copies? Are they routinely asking for updated passport copies once they reach the 6 month mark?

Two of my copies did not have a stamp - they asked for another set of notarised copies with a stamp so I had to get the post office to stamp them, and resend them. This probably delayed my application by a month, so my turnaround was around 7 months (8 months to find out though).

To anyone reading - make sure your notary stamps the copies!

[oction]

Pleased to report that I have now received my FBR certificate!

So my final timeline is:

17/07/2018 Application submitted online (No. ***424)
25/07/2018 Documents received by London Embassy
16/11/2018 Response received to my email to the FBR team stating application had been put forward for approval
27/11/2018 Application approved and entered into FBR
22/01/2019 FBR certificate received with returned supporting documents.

So I’m just a couple of days short of the 6 month turnaround time based on the date the Embassy received my documents.

Now onto the passport application for me; as someone else suggested earlier in the thread I requested the form ahead of time from the Embassy. Good idea!

Good luck to those of you still waiting.

Thanks for this James -- very useful, as I believe your post is the closest match to my currently-open application, which only has the following to report:

25/07/2018 Application submitted online
01/08/2018 Documents received by London Embassy

So I am at the 6 month mark, pretty much. I've not had any further contact since then, so just rang up the FBR team, and slightly frustratingly my application doesn't seem to have really progressed at all yet. It's very interesting considering my application was confirmed to be received a week after the one above. So it would seem to indicate that the process is pretty much completely random in terms of processing order.

Oh well, let the waiting continue!

[spiderplants]

It does feel like there's been a slowdown. I'm not at the six month stage so won't ask the embassy for updates yet but I do wonder if there's been a spike in applications. I know I didn't rush because I didn't believe Brexit could really go so badly. I wish I'd applied straightaway in June 2016.

[Michael123]

Sulla;
I have not heard anything from Dublin.
Yes, my application was received in Dublin a 1 or 2 days after Michael123.
Hoping for good news soon.

Liam, Any news?

[upliam]

Michael,
Unfortunately, as of today nothing has been received from Dublin.

[Michael123]

Michael,
Unfortunately, as of today nothing has been received from Dublin.

Same here. I would assume that being a day ahead of you that I would hear first, but that is just a guess, we must be close! You are 5 months today and I was 5 yesterday.

[jax22]

Hi, New to the forum

I am about to complete my application to the FBR, I know I am leaving it late but it has taken so much time to get everything together and then I moved so had to wait again for things with address on it.

I have noticed that there is conflicting information on the FBR website and the local embassy website - the embassy asking for far more documents than the FBR for reasons I can't quite understand.

My question anyway is: Does anyone know is there a time limit between submitting and printing the application and sending it along with the documents to the embassy? I still need to get certified copies and signatures but really want to get this submitted.

The embassy also informed me that notary public can witness the application even though they wouldn't know the person as stated - has anyone had a notary public witness the application and been accepted? I was just going to print the email and include it.

[Michael123]

There seems to be a lack of conversation now.

I will just say “Tick-tock” as I continue to wait for my FBR Email...

[Tanmay99]

Hi all,

I was following the forum for quite awhile, this is my first post.

I applied on 03/11/2018 and documents were received at the Irish embassy India on 05/11. They didn't send me any confirmation, which I found a bit odd. I enquired for any update in December and they told me it will take at least six months.

Additionally, I didn't have my grandparents' and parents' marriage certificate, but my all three birth certificates shows clear chain from my paternal grandmother to me. I also attached their death certificates and my mom's birth certificate instead of marriage certificate. I wonder if this will make my application complex, but fingers crossed.

I called the fbr team (Ireland) in December and they told me they can't see my application on their portal and asked me to contact the embassy. They also told me that in some cases decisions are made by embassies, I hope this speeds up my application.

I will keep you guys updated!