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Foreign Birth Registration

Forum to discuss all things Blarney | Ireland immigration

Moderators: Casa, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha, archigabe, Administrator

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TrishMc
Junior Member
Posts: 81
Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2020 1:43 am
United States of America

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by TrishMc » Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:50 pm

Hi all,

Just got a newsletter from the Boston Consulate, and they mention that US residents can now apply for first passport online. I had seen that from another consulate (SF?) Apparently nationwide now. Here's the link:

https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/

US, NZ, Canada, Australia, Europe, Ireland, N. Ireland & GB can apply online.

skadiskadi7
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2021 2:11 am
United States of America

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by skadiskadi7 » Fri Jun 04, 2021 2:49 am

I replied to Team 2 with my confirmation of address in December...still no word. is there anyone I can contact to tell if I am registered with FBR and can apply for a passport or must I have the certificate in hand?

I literally think they went home for COVID the day I emailed me (I replied the same day). I have tried second and third emails to confirm my address -- no response. I have checked junk email. I have tried webchat for Passport Services and they are not available. I have tried calling and there is a message they are not open. So frustrating! I guess as an American, I can't understand how government services (albeit non-essential) can be halted for six months!?! I know they have about 450 new cases a day. I am in a state that has about 250. Both are certainly horribly unfortunate, but our state has been open since May 2020.

I am thinking of emailing the urgent email but, I don't want to be a pain. Is there a public space to check to see if I am certified on FBR yet? I appreciate any advice!

Application submitted online: July 23, 2019
Email acknowledging receipt of documents: August 7, 2019
Confirmation of address email: 21 December 2020 (confirmed the same day)
Date added to FBR: Awaiting
Congrats email: Awaiting
FBR certificate received: Awaiting

4thGENFBR
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed May 26, 2021 8:27 pm
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by 4thGENFBR » Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:41 am

LA8887 wrote:
Thu Jun 03, 2021 12:06 pm
4thGENFBR wrote:
Wed May 26, 2021 9:19 pm

- for those born in South Africa - they do not accept any older versions of birth certificates (I think older than 10 years). You will need to get a new unabridged computerised version. They gave 28 days for me to supply this document which for those who know how SA government departments work would know that this is an almost impossible task coupled with the fact I don't live there (we currently live in the UK) and we are in the middle of a global pandemic, I thought this was the big snake in snakes and ladders and I was all the way back to the beginning. I expressed my anxiety to the FBR worker and comfortingly she expressed she "could not promise but if I provided regular updates on progress she would see what could be done to not return the application". After some research I found an experienced company that assists with obtaining the document in SA and unbelievably obtained it and sent as fast as I could to Ireland (whilst providing weekly updates).
Who did you go through to get the birth certificate? I was born in SA to British parents so I have both an SA certificate and a British consulate one, but they're both handwritten so they refused to give me a passport. I ordered a new copy of my UK cert but it's just a certified copy of the handwritten one and they won't computerise it, so I think my only option now is to get the SA one. I'm not an SA citizen so I'm not sure if I can use the DHA-154 form or not. I've downloaded it anyway and have been calling the South African High Commission in Whitehall but no one ever picks up the phone. It's so frustrating and it's almost made me completely lose hope in the idea of ever getting a passport, and I've wasted the best part of £500 in getting this far. It's soul destroying :cry:
Unfortunately, the rules of this forum is that you cannot provide company names, details etc. However, I identified two companies from reaching out to friends/family and went with one of them. I was concerned when trying to find them online I would end up victim of a scam (as these types of businesses are ripe for the pickings for scammers who use desperation to extract funds). Nevertheless, the one I used was professional and efficient so I can confirm there are legitimate companies out there. They fill in the required forms for you and it cost around £125 in ZAR (£40 was express courier from SA to UK). They also know the routes through the bureaucracy and can obtain the document in relatively short timescales.

I too tried to call/contact the SAHC in London, they never answered the phone and the offices never had anybody in them. I gave up pretty quickly on that route after reading similar accounts on other forums and the requirement to get the BC in less than 28 days.

Best of luck.

BrexitEscapee
- thin ice -
Posts: 126
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2018 2:54 pm

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by BrexitEscapee » Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:19 am

4thGENFBR wrote:
Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:41 am
Unfortunately, the rules of this forum is that you cannot provide company names, details etc.
(Suggestion: have a play with Google and find which combination of non-specific search terms will bring up a good document retrieval company as the first result - and post those search terms here, along with whether you were using google.com, google.co.uk or whatever. That should comply with the forum's policies as your post wouldn't have any bearing on personal data protection (GDPR) and if there was any advertising or promotion being done, it would be by Google's own algorithm - not this forum.)

LondonPerson
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2021 5:35 pm

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by LondonPerson » Fri Jun 04, 2021 5:43 pm

Hello all,
Have been browsing here for the last year or so, and just made a login so I can share my info. This board has been really helpful - thank you to all who have posted.
I haven't reached the finish line yet, but just wanted to share info on my progress:
- 'application received' email on 26th September 2019 (applying from UK)
- 'please confirm your postal address' email received 3 June 2021 (FBR Team 6)

Will update when the next thing happens... hope it's soon!
Thanks again. Good luck everyone.

Jassi91
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2021 2:48 am
Australia

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by Jassi91 » Sat Jun 05, 2021 2:55 am

Hey everyone,

I was hoping for some clarification. I am ready to submit the online application form and send the documents but the website says don’t send anything yet as it is paused due to COVID.
I was just wondering if someone has send it regardless of that notice and heard from the office since.

Thank you! And good luck to everyone!

FrozenTundra
Newbie
Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:40 pm
United States of America

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by FrozenTundra » Sat Jun 05, 2021 12:24 pm

Jassi91 wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 2:55 am
Hey everyone,

I was hoping for some clarification. I am ready to submit the online application form and send the documents but the website says don’t send anything yet as it is paused due to COVID.
I was just wondering if someone has send it regardless of that notice and heard from the office since.

Thank you! And good luck to everyone!
Yes, I got tired of waiting and submitted my son's FBR application by mail from the United States on April 13th, 2021 regardless of the FBR instructions.

I opted for delivery confirmation by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ensure it got to the FBR office and USPS confirmed physical delivery in Ireland in late April. Despite USPS confirming delivery, I have heard nothing from the FBR department themselves that they have received anything (i.e. no email). And I can't even ask them through webchat since the webchat is always down.

I still think I did the right thing in sending it since when they start processing again I presume they'll do it in some sort of order when received.

MikeyMike
Junior Member
Posts: 57
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2020 7:20 pm
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by MikeyMike » Sat Jun 05, 2021 6:44 pm

FrozenTundra wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 12:24 pm
Jassi91 wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 2:55 am
Hey everyone,

I was hoping for some clarification. I am ready to submit the online application form and send the documents but the website says don’t send anything yet as it is paused due to COVID.
I was just wondering if someone has send it regardless of that notice and heard from the office since.

Thank you! And good luck to everyone!
Yes, I got tired of waiting and submitted my son's FBR application by mail from the United States on April 13th, 2021 regardless of the FBR instructions.

I opted for delivery confirmation by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ensure it got to the FBR office and USPS confirmed physical delivery in Ireland in late April. Despite USPS confirming delivery, I have heard nothing from the FBR department themselves that they have received anything (i.e. no email). And I can't even ask them through webchat since the webchat is always down.

I still think I did the right thing in sending it since when they start processing again I presume they'll do it in some sort of order when received.
"I still think I did the right thing in sending it since when they start processing again I presume they'll do it in some sort of order when received."

If you think that's the case then basically you're attempting to queue jump ahead of those that respect the notice on the DFA website not to send in supporting documentation at this time. In fact, it's highly likely that applications are processed according to the date that the online applications are made. Instead what you risk is that your documents might sit in a dusty corner somewhere and could disappear between now and when paperwork processing starts up again.

Unless someone has an urgent need to contact the FRB team, I suggest we all sit tight and accept the situation for what it is. The Irish authorities mistakenly relaxed Covid restrictions before Christmas and have since paid the price with one of the harshest lockdowns in the developed world. In such circumstances they rightly have to look first to their own citizens and unfortunately, non-essential services such as FBR have therefore taken a back seat.

FrozenTundra
Newbie
Posts: 32
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:40 pm
United States of America

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by FrozenTundra » Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:43 pm

MikeyMike wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 6:44 pm
If you think that's the case then basically you're attempting to queue jump ahead of those that respect the notice on the DFA website not to send in supporting documentation at this time.
Eh, if the FBR staff process us first because we sent in documentation when they didn't want us to, then that's on the FBR staff. I'll be able to live with myself.
In fact, it's highly likely that applications are processed according to the date that the online applications are made. Instead what you risk is that your documents might sit in a dusty corner somewhere and could disappear between now and when paperwork processing starts up again.
Since the Irish government hasn't communicated anything about how/when they'll restart processing and in what order, your guess that they'll do it based on online application time is as good as mine that they'll do it on when physically received. Neither of us really knows and both of us are just guessing/conjecturing. If you want to maximize the chance of being first, then it would make sense to do both submit online and submit documentation would it not? We submitted online in February and our documents were "received" in late April. So I think we maximized both.

Loss of documentation is totally possible. But you always risk that, not sure why the amount of time between acceptance and processing would affect the risk of loss unless you think that FBR staff are rummaging intermittently through the documents, handling them in a way to possibly induce loss, and all the while continuing to not process said documents. That would be strange to me, but sure there's always a risk.
Unless someone has an urgent need to contact the FRB team, I suggest we all sit tight and accept the situation for what it is. The Irish authorities mistakenly relaxed Covid restrictions before Christmas and have since paid the price with one of the harshest lockdowns in the developed world. In such circumstances they rightly have to look first to their own citizens and unfortunately, non-essential services such as FBR have therefore taken a back seat.
Or, and I mean this sincerely, it is possible that the Irish government simply doesn't know what it's doing and thus simply doesn't know how or when it will restart FBR services. I don't mean that as an insult to the Irish government, but merely an observation. This would make sense given that the FBR office has given almost no communication or guidance on reopening processing; if they knew what the contingencies would be they would've told us.

Many, *many*, other bureaucracies, public and private, have figured out how to work under COVID even for certain non-essential services. It seems that the Irish government just doesn't know how to do FBR processing with COVID restrictions, which is very bizarre. They've had like a year to figure it out; things like securing a remote workspace and scanning documents aren't rocket science.

At the end of the day nobody knows anything because there has been zero communication regarding their thought process on how and when to reopen processing, so your advice to just sit tight and accept the situation is indeed a reasonable suggestion. But so is sending in documentation early, because we all have no idea.

Legskinner
Newly Registered
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:30 pm
Mood:
United States of America

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by Legskinner » Sun Jun 06, 2021 12:15 am

I completed the online application and paid in early January 2021. I sent all my documentation to FBR in late January 2021 using the USPS tracked delivery. I have no idea in what order FBR will process applications but I know I have increased my chances of receiving my FBR in a timely manner by submitting sooner rather than later. I wish everyone on this forum the best of luck. Acceptance by the FBR will fulfill one of my biggest dreams.

jamiepompey
Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:56 am
Mood:
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by jamiepompey » Sun Jun 06, 2021 4:58 am

FrozenTundra wrote:
Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:43 pm

At the end of the day nobody knows anything because there has been zero communication regarding their thought process on how and when to reopen processing, so your advice to just sit tight and accept the situation is indeed a reasonable suggestion. But so is sending in documentation early, because we all have no idea.
I read somewhere a while ago that lots of the staff at the DFA had been redeployed to help with contact tracing and the Covid unemployment payment scheme so they simply don’t have the numbers of people required to sort through everything anymore. The passport office and FBR team aren’t currently considered an essential service and until that changes there won’t be any movement.

ERAM
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:19 am
United States of America

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by ERAM » Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:17 am

Hello,

I am just wondering if anyone else is in this situation and has gone through the process. My grandfather was an irish citizen. He grew up there as did his family as far back as we know. But he was born in England because his father was working in a munitions factory in Nottingham during the 1st World War and brought his family. They returned before the end of the war to Dundalk.

I know the general interpretation of the law is the "born on the Island or Ireland" part but when I read the nationality law, it confuses this. No one was an Irish Citizen before 1921. My grandfather who was back in Ireland in 1918, became a citizen in '21.

Anyway, I know this is a detailed legal argument and I am wondering if anyone else has made it successfully (or not),

jamiepompey
Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:56 am
Mood:
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by jamiepompey » Wed Jun 09, 2021 12:26 pm

ERAM wrote:
Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:17 am
Hello,

I am just wondering if anyone else is in this situation and has gone through the process. My grandfather was an irish citizen. He grew up there as did his family as far back as we know. But he was born in England because his father was working in a munitions factory in Nottingham during the 1st World War and brought his family. They returned before the end of the war to Dundalk.

I know the general interpretation of the law is the "born on the Island or Ireland" part but when I read the nationality law, it confuses this. No one was an Irish Citizen before 1921. My grandfather who was back in Ireland in 1918, became a citizen in '21.

Anyway, I know this is a detailed legal argument and I am wondering if anyone else has made it successfully (or not),
My grandmother was born in Dublin in 1916. I managed to claim FBR through her successfully.

Steerpike17
Newly Registered
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 2:22 pm
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by Steerpike17 » Wed Jun 09, 2021 2:28 pm

Long time lurker here, but got some good news today and thought I would post my timeline for others.

Application submitted online: September 16, 2019
Email acknowledging receipt of documents: September 27, 2019
Confirmation of address email: June 1, 2021
Date added to FBR: June 9, 2021
Congrats email: June 9, 2021
FBR certificate received: Awaiting

Nilbog
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:46 pm

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by Nilbog » Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:54 pm

Hi all.

Brand new to this website, I'm a british citizen looking to become an irish one as I live in Greece normally but have now found in thrown into turmoil because of brexit.

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to ask questions about Foreign Birth Registry but here goes.

I understand the process is currently suspended due to covid but I'm trying to get all my documents together in preparation for when it resumes. My grandparents were both born in Ireland but my dad was born in London in 1946. He told me he became an irish citizen in his 20s.

I'm applyying through him, which I believe is correct. I need my details and his in that case. One of my problems is that I don't personally know anyone in a profession on the witness list. I do know a social worker, but it's not listed. Would this be acceptable? Failing that, what are my options if I can't find someone on the list?

Sorry if this is not the correct place, but I'm a little desperate trying to find any kind of expertise on the matter.

jgclancy
Member of Standing
Posts: 326
Joined: Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:52 am
United States of America

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by jgclancy » Wed Jun 09, 2021 4:57 pm

Steerpike17 wrote:
Wed Jun 09, 2021 2:28 pm
Long time lurker here, but got some good news today and thought I would post my timeline for others.

Application submitted online: September 16, 2019
Email acknowledging receipt of documents: September 27, 2019
Confirmation of address email: June 1, 2021
Date added to FBR: June 9, 2021
Congrats email: June 9, 2021
FBR certificate received: Awaiting
Congrats on your progress. I'll drink a pint for you tonight!

Now I'm a little annoyed though. You originally applied three months after me and are now ahead of me even though I received an email in Dec 2020 for address confirmation. Since then nothing. Finally, my patience has grown thin. Sent off a 3rd reply to their original December 2020 email stating my address is still the same. I will do it every week now.

Hope documents arrive back soon and getting passport goes smooth. Let us know. Always happy for others !!!

jgclancy

jamiepompey
Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:56 am
Mood:
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by jamiepompey » Wed Jun 09, 2021 5:38 pm

Nilbog wrote:
Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:54 pm
Hi all.

Brand new to this website, I'm a british citizen looking to become an irish one as I live in Greece normally but have now found in thrown into turmoil because of brexit.

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to ask questions about Foreign Birth Registry but here goes.

I understand the process is currently suspended due to covid but I'm trying to get all my documents together in preparation for when it resumes. My grandparents were both born in Ireland but my dad was born in London in 1946. He told me he became an irish citizen in his 20s.

I'm applyying through him, which I believe is correct. I need my details and his in that case. One of my problems is that I don't personally know anyone in a profession on the witness list. I do know a social worker, but it's not listed. Would this be acceptable? Failing that, what are my options if I can't find someone on the list?

Sorry if this is not the correct place, but I'm a little desperate trying to find any kind of expertise on the matter.
I used a local solicitor who was happy to witness the forms for me. I think it cost me the princely sum of £20.

Nilbog
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:46 pm

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by Nilbog » Wed Jun 09, 2021 5:39 pm

Thanks for the reply!

Was it accepted and all went well or are you still waiting?

jamiepompey
Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:56 am
Mood:
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by jamiepompey » Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:11 pm

Nilbog wrote:
Wed Jun 09, 2021 5:39 pm
Thanks for the reply!

Was it accepted and all went well or are you still waiting?
I have an Irish passport now so I guess you could say they accepted it yes haha.

Nilbog
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:46 pm

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by Nilbog » Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:12 pm

Brilliant stuff, well done.

jamiepompey
Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:56 am
Mood:
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by jamiepompey » Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:13 pm

Nilbog wrote:
Wed Jun 09, 2021 5:39 pm
Thanks for the reply!

Was it accepted and all went well or are you still waiting?
Also, just looking at your post again. You should send off your grandparents documents as well as your dad wasn't born in Ireland so your claiming on the basis of a grandparent being born in Ireland.

Nilbog
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:46 pm

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by Nilbog » Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:24 pm

I thought my situation fell under this definition:

"Adult applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through entry on the Foreign Births Register"

As my dad became an Irish citizen I imagine on the foreign births register or am I missing something? Was he not put on through Foreign Births when he did it or were his circumstances different when he went on, as his parents were irish.

I was not 100% about this part of the process, to be honest.

jamiepompey
Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:56 am
Mood:
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by jamiepompey » Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:28 pm

Nilbog wrote:
Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:24 pm
I thought my situation fell under this definition:

"Adult applicant whose parent is an Irish citizen through entry on the Foreign Births Register"

As my dad became an Irish citizen I imagine on the foreign births register or am I missing something? Was he not put on through Foreign Births when he did it or were his circumstances different when he went on, as his parents were irish.

I was not 100% about this part of the process, to be honest.
If your grandparent was born on the island of Ireland then your father would automatically have been an Irish citizen at the time of his birth and so therefore would not have needed to register on the FBR. It may be that he only applied for a passport in his 20's but he would always have been entitled to it. So you'll need to go through your grandparent to get it.

Nilbog
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:46 pm

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by Nilbog » Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:31 pm

Yeah this is what I feared to be honest.

If you don't mind answering, what are the details they would require? Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, and Marriage? Can I get official copies sent to me or do I have to have the original documents, i don't know if that will be possible.

Thanks regardless.

jamiepompey
Member
Posts: 112
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:56 am
Mood:
Ireland

Re: Foreign Birth Registration

Post by jamiepompey » Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:27 pm

Nilbog wrote:
Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:31 pm
Yeah this is what I feared to be honest.

If you don't mind answering, what are the details they would require? Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, and Marriage? Can I get official copies sent to me or do I have to have the original documents, i don't know if that will be possible.

Thanks regardless.
Grandparent:
Birth, Matriage, Death certificates or certified copy of Photo ID if still alive.

Parent:
Birth, Matriage, Death certificates or certified copy of Photo ID if still alive.

You:
Birth Certificate, certified copy of Photo ID (passport) and a proof of address. I think I sent a bank statement. 4 passport photos two of which must be certified.

It tells you on the application form when you print it out what you need to send.

I sourced my grandmothers birth certificate from this website:
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/

It was easy as there was a record for her on the site that I could see because she was born in 1916. I think any records over 100 years old get uploaded. Otherwise you have to request it from here.
https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-dea ... cates.html

You don’t need to have the actual original birth certificate they were given. The new one that gets issued when you order it is sufficient. When I applied I ordered new copies of all the documents so I wouldn’t be without them. You’re not going to have those documents in your possession for a long time so something to think about.

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