What does it take for an American to become an Irish Citizen?

Question

What is the process for an American to become a citizen of Ireland?

Answer 1

Unless you have an Irish parent, or possibly grandparent, you would have to live there for a certain number of years as a resident (ie: not on a series of tourist or student visas) before applying for citizenship. If you were to marry an Irishman the length of time you would have to live there before applying for citizenship would probably be shorter, but not automatic.

Answer 2

Citizenship through descent (Irish parent(s)):

If you were born in Ireland to an Irish citizen parent, then you are an Irish citizen by descent.

If either of your parents was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, then you are automatically an Irish citizen, irrespective of your place of birth (unless it was one of the special conditions relating to birth outside Ireland).

If you were born outside Ireland to an Irish citizen who was himself or herself born in Ireland, then you are an Irish citizen.

If your parent derived Irish citizenship in another manner, e.g., through marriage, adoption or naturalisation, further information can be obtained from your nearest Irish embassy or consulate.

If the parent through whom you derive Irish citizenship was deceased at the time of your birth, but would have been an Irish citizen if alive at that time, you are also an Irish citizen. You derive citizenship through an Irish parent whether or not your parents were married to each other at the time of your birth.

If you were born outside Ireland to an Irish citizen who was himself or herself born outside Ireland and any of your grandparents were born in Ireland, then you are entitled to become an Irish citizen. However before you can claim Irish citizenship, you must have your birth registered in the Foreign Births Register, which is maintained by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. (See "How to apply" below). If you live abroad, you must apply to have your birth registered through your nearest Irish embassy or consular office. If you are entitled to register, your Irish citizenship is effective from the date of registration - not from the date when you were born.

Citizenship via grandparents:

If you are of the third or subsequent generation born abroad to an Irish citizen (in other words, one of your grandparents is an Irish citizen but none of your parents was born in Ireland), you may be entitled to become an Irish citizen. You will need to apply have your birth registered in the Foreign Births Register.

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 his/her entry in the Register and not from the date of birth. This means that children born to that person before his/her 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 Citizenship Act came into force, i.e., 17 July 1956, or their date of birth, whichever is later. Only children born after 17 July 1956 can claim citizenship in such cases.

Other relatives:

Unless your parents or grandparents were Irish citizens at the time of your birth, you cannot claim Irish citizenship on the basis of extended previous ancestry (i.e., ancestors other than your parents or grandparents). In addition, you cannot claim Irish citizenship on the basis that a cousin, aunt or uncle were Irish citizens if your parents or grandparents were not Irish citizens at the time of your birth.

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Please contact 1 of the 5 the Irish consulates nearest to you: SF, DC, Boston, Chicago, NY for further information.