Nomadic dani

After two long years of waiting, paperwork, and a fair share of frustration, I can finally say it, I have my Irish passport in hand! It’s been a journey filled with unexpected delays, endless document chasing, and a whole lot of patience, but holding that little burgundy booklet at last makes it all worthwhile.

My journey to securing an Irish passport started with tracing my heritage. Thanks to Ireland’s citizenship by descent, I was eligible because of my Irish ancestry on my grandfathers side. It seemed like a straightforward process, gather documents, submit the application, and wait. Well, I quickly learned that “waiting” was going to be the biggest part of the process.

Firstly, my mum had to go through the process until myself and my brothers could do the same. From requesting official birth/death and marriage certificates to ensuring every detail matched perfectly, the paperwork alone was an adventure. Add in delays due to COVID backlogs and administrative processing, and my families “simple” application turned into a two-year wait. Finally all of us managed to get our citizenship, after spending £££s later.

The day that I received my citizenship I ofcourse celebrated with a Guinness! Now that this was done, we could all apply for our Irish passport

Why It Means So Much
Getting this passport isn’t just about convenience, it’s about connecting with my heritage and embracing my Irish roots. After visiting Ireland numerous times over the last few years, reconnecting with family I didn’t know existed and also visiting the exact house where my grandad grew up (and finding lots of photos of my family still inside!) it just meant a lot. It also opens up new opportunities for travel, work, and even living within the EU, which is a huge bonus.

Tips for Getting Your Irish Passport & Citizenship

If you’re considering applying for Irish citizenship or a passport through descent, here are some key tips to help you navigate the process smoothly. My process wasn’t as smooth and took 3 attempts of sending paperwork until it was finally accepted (which is why it took a little longer).

1. Determine Your Eligibility

• You can apply for Irish citizenship by descent if a parent or grandparent was born in Ireland.
• If applying through a grandparent, you’ll need to register your birth in the Foreign Births Register (FBR) before applying for a passport.

2. Gather Your Documents Early

• Obtain original birth, marriage, and death certificates for yourself and your Irish ancestor.
• Double-check that names, dates, and places match across all documents to avoid delays.
• If a document has discrepancies, you may need corrections.

3. Register on the Foreign Births Register (If Needed)

• If applying through a grandparent, register with the FBR as soon as possible—processing times can take 1-2 years due to high demand.
• Ensure your documents are notarised and meet Ireland’s strict requirements.

4. Apply for Your Irish Passport

• Once citizenship is confirmed, applying for the passport is much faster.
• Use the online passport application for a quicker turnaround.
• If you’re in Ireland or the UK, consider using the Passport Express service.
• When applying, you will be asked for a professional witness (a doctor etc) who will sign to say that they have met you and can confirm your identity. This is where mine took a while as the person I had was a doctor, so was always busy and couldn’t pick up the phone for the Foreign Affairs office. Make sure to find someone who will have time to pick up that unknown caller ID, as they will call your witness to check!

5. Be Patient & Stay Updated

• Processing times vary, especially for Foreign Birth Registration. Check official updates on the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs website. You will be sent emails along the way with a personal ID number. Checking on the wesbite is simple.
• If you experience delays, politely follow up via email or phone.

6. Celebrate & Plan Your First Trip!

• Once your passport arrives, celebrate the achievement. It’s a connection to your heritage and a gateway to Europe!
• Take advantage of EU travel & work opportunities, and of course, plan a trip to Ireland to explore your roots.

The First Stamp & The Future
Now that it’s finally here, I can’t wait to put it to use. Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend in Europe or exploring more of Ireland itself, this passport represents freedom, identity, and a whole new world of possibilities.

For anyone going through the process—stick with it! It might take time, but in the end, it’s absolutely worth it. Sláinte to new adventures ahead! 🍀

For more information on Irish citizenship and passport please visit the Irish Dept of Affairs