Foreign Birth Registration

[rdslight]

Well today is the day. Passport arrived 1 year and 19 days after FBR application received at the London Embassy. Delighted is an understatement, my three children have Irish citizenship through my Limerick born wife so all five of us now have Irish passports/citizenship.

I hope everyone here doesn't have too much longer to wait!! The passport turn around was a lot quicker than the 70 working days suggested for UK applicants.

Application received London Embassy 31st July 2018
Sent for final approval 5th December 2018
Added FBR 23rd May 2019
Congratulations email not received
Certificate and documents received 3rd June 2019
Passport application received Cork 11th June 2019
Estimated issue date 18th July 2019
Passport Printed 15th August 2019
Passport Dispatched 16th August 2019
Passport Received 19th August 2019

[Sulla]

Well today is the day. Passport arrived 1 year and 19 days after FBR application received at the London Embassy. Delighted is an understatement, my three children have Irish citizenship through my Limerick born wife so all five of us now have Irish passports/citizenship.

I hope everyone here doesn't have too much longer to wait!! The passport turn around was a lot quicker than the 70 working days suggested for UK applicants.

Application received London Embassy 31st July 2018
Sent for final approval 5th December 2018
Added FBR 23rd May 2019
Congratulations email not received
Certificate and documents received 3rd June 2019
Passport application received Cork 11th June 2019
Estimated issue date 18th July 2019
Passport Printed 15th August 2019
Passport Dispatched 16th August 2019
Passport Received 19th August 2019

Congrats on getting the entire process over with. For a comparison, mine consumed about 9.5 months having applied for FBR on August 14th 2018 and the passport on March 27th 2019. It is nice to hear that the passport division are delivering faster than expected.

[Laurie9434]

My certificate came in the mail today! I am officially an Irish citizen!!! 12 months to the day of them receiving
my application in Dublin!

Laurie

Thanks fantastic news Laurie. Congratulations. Can you please let us know the date of addition to the FBR as printed on the certificate?

I guess you will be moving on to the passport stage now. I hope that goes swiftly for you.

Thank you Sulla!! The date of Entry was
01 Aug 2019.

Question for you, The certificate is in my maiden name (the name I gained my citizenship through) not my married name. My marriage certificate was enclosed and all the documentation, drivers license, passport etc.. are in my married name. Is this typical? Will it be a problem with the passport?

Thanks for the good wishes everyone !!

Laurie

[Laurie9434]

Sulla,

Also wanted to say that I received the email asking me to confirm my mailing address on 7-31. I immediately responded and I was entered into the FBR one day later. on 8-1. I received the package in the mail 2 weeks later on 8-15. Exactly 12 months.

Also, I am going to be in Ireland for several weeks. Does anyone know if they do same day passports there? Like we do here in the United States. Since I’m going to be there, I was hoping to avoid the mailing, processing, etc.

Thank you!
Laurie

[rolevelyn]

Does anyone know if they do same day passports there? Like we do here in the United States. Since I’m going to be there, I was hoping to avoid the mailing, processing, etc.

Only if it is an emergency. Otherwise, the minimum for passport renewals is three days. But obviously, you won't be a renewal case. For first-time adult applicants:
"The average turnaround time if you apply via appointment is 20 working days. The average turnaround time if you apply through passport express is 15 working days".

You could make an appointment (you can only get it in Dublin) to get a Stamp 6 (Without Conditions) endorsement in your non-Irish passport. That's for dual-citizenship Irish.

[Koolboy]

Hi all.

First time poster. Have been reading other people's comments on the forum and their experiences.

I sent my application in August 2018 to the London embassy. I had a confirmation email in Jan 2019 to say it had been received. I contacted the FBR team in Feb 2019 via the web chat and the guy I spoke with said my application would be dealt with in the next few weeks. As of today nothing further.

So I called the FBR team today. Basically said to wait till January and if I've not heard anything to contact again then. I think from reading others' experiences, I'm likely not going to hear anything until Jan. Just frustrating that loss of 5 months sat in an office. Hey ho I can't change it but 18 months from sending application in to end of the process does seem a long time, even with more people applying.

Hi all,

I posted this in July. Wanted to update that although I still haven't heard anything and wouldn't expect to hear till Jan 2020 anyway, given what they told me, I have today sent a complaint through about this. I'll keep you posted if I get a reply.
I've based by complaint on the misleading information on timescales and that my application was just sat somewhere for 5 months with no action against it. I hadn't complained before as I just though everyone was in the same boat, but since I've seen some replies on here that sent their application to the London embassy after I did, but received their confirmation email within weeks of their applications, so it seems that the embassy were processing some but not others.

My timeline:
13/8/18 - €278 paid for the application process and application generated with application number 0000xxxxx
16/8/18 - Documents posted to London Embassy as per application via next working day signed for delivery
17/8/18 - Signed for at the London Embassy as received
9/1/19 - Email received from FBR stating my application has been received and will take up to 6 months to process. Different application number now given of 0000xxxxx
Jan 19 - Web chat wtih FBR office. Stated that my application would be looked at in the coming weeks and I should hear by March 2019 about my application
July 2019 - Telephone call to FBR office, stating my application was received in January and I will not receive anything for at least 12 months since the date of the email and to call back in Feb 2020 if I'm still waiting.

DEAR
We both are in the same boat. I sent my application to London embassy in July 2018. when i6 called them in Dec 18. they Said that they received my application in November and call them again in January 2019. I hope both our applications are in same batch. Please let me know if if you hear something. Good luck for everyone

[Faith2611]

Hello I'm new to posting but have been lurking on the board for a while! Glad to hear that some August 2018 applicants have had success, although worrying to see that others have been told Feb 2020 at the earliest.

My timeline:
24/07/18 - €278 paid for the application process and application generated
03/08/18 – Documents received by London Embassy and email confirmation sent to me stating the application can take up to six months to process
01/07/19 – Email from Foreign Births Registration Returns Section stating that one of my documents hadn’t been notarised properly (my sister used the exact same document with no problem!)
18/07/19 – Posted new copy of document to Dublin to meet the requirements
As of today – heard nothing further!

Was hoping to have name added to register and passport obtained before 31st October as I’m sure everyone else from the UK is, but not looking likely now. Well past a year since I made my application.

[Sulla]

Question for you, The certificate is in my maiden name (the name I gained my citizenship through) not my married name. My marriage certificate was enclosed and all the documentation, drivers license, passport etc.. are in my married name. Is this typical? Will it be a problem with the passport?

Thanks for the good wishes everyone !!

Laurie

Hi Laurie,

You can check this page for further information on the married name issue:

https://www.dfa.ie/passports/documents- ... -new-name/

As for the issue of applying in Dublin, I think this will not be possible since you do not reside in Ireland and are a first time applicant and not a renewal. The DFA site advises to go through the website relevant to the country you reside in. Also proof of address etc is required for the passport application.

https://www.dfa.ie/passports/questions/ ... -passport/

[MilesB92]

Hi there
I contacted the dfa today about my application which was sent in Oct 2018 and was informed they are making quick progress through 2018s applicants but when my application will be being checked I was told I may have to resubmit two more signed photographs and a notarized copy of my passport. Has anyone else experienced this I'm just on a strict time schedule and dont want to have to waste any more time sending more documents that are unnecessary.
Thanks

[Sulla]

I just want to post this before I head to the airport. I will probably be jet lagged for a day or two, so if I don't catch any updates or clarifications right away that is to be expected. As usual, if you have been missed from the list please let me know and I will add you in once I recover.

May 2018 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2018.
Jacqui309 – received May 15th / Pending
Emma86 – received May 30th (Added to FBR November 20th 2018)

June 2018 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2018.
Ben321 – received mid-June / Pending (coming soon)
Cindy – received June 14th / Pending
156Nathan – received June 16th (Added to FBR November 14th 2018)

July 2018 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2018.
Brawn – received July 2nd (Added to FBR March 13th 2019)
Jpauls – received July 12th (Added to FBR November 13th 2018)
Nick1066 _ received July 18th online date (Added to FBR November 14th 2018)
BostonCeltics – received July 20th (Added to FBR November 15th 2018)
Stephen F – received July 20th 2018 (Added to FBR unknown / Certificate received January 10th 2019)
Samantha – received July 22nd / (Added to FBR July 2nd 2019) Thai Case
James_mcfc – received July 25th (Added to the FBR November 27th 2018)
Rbs3 – received July 27th (Added to FBR March 26th 2019)
Rdslight – received July 31st (Added to FBR – May 23rd / Certificate received June 3rd 2019)
Richard – received July 31st (added to FBR March 10th 2019)

August 2018 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2018.
Oction – received August 1st (Added to FBR July 11th 2019)
Sean – received August 2nd (Added to FBR December 19th 2018)
Spav – received August 3rd (Added to FBR December 11th 2018)
Faith2611 – received August 3rd / Pending
Amcbamcb – received August 8th (Added to FBR May 17th 2019)
Hol292 – received August 10th (Added to FBR July 5th 2019)
Sulla – received August 14th (Added to FBR November 28th 2018) Chinese Case
LeifRNR – received August 14th Added to FBR July 17th 2019)
Laurie – received August 15th / (Added to FBR August 1st 2019)
NYNJ – Received August 16th 2018 / Pending
Valiant – Received August 16th 2018 / Pending
Michael – received August 21st / (Added to FBR June 7th 2019)
Donna – received August 21st / (Added to FBR June 7th 2019)
Upliam _ received August 22nd / Pending
USczKat – received August 23rd / Pending
SonicBoom – received August 28th / Pending
Pumps100 – received August 29th / Pending
MaddeningBike – received August 30th / Pending
Nydccub – received August 31st / Pending

September 2018 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2018.
Court2 - received September 1st / Pending
Oshma – received September 4th / Pending
Clongwill – received September 6th / Pending
Aussie_MJ – received September 10th / pending
Fillio39 – received September 11th / Pending
Costus – received September 14th / Pending (awaiting printing)
Spike – received September 20th / Pending
Wims - received September 24th / Pending
Mozza75 – received September 25th / Pending
Kkjak - received September 27th / Pending
Sqimandy - received September 27th / Pending
LesMalouinettes- received September 27th / Pending
Aion - received September 27th / Pending
MaryO – received September (unspecified date) / Pending

October 2018 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2018.
Shaunier – received October 4th / Pending
Theonlyh- received October 9th / Pending
Marwin – received October 15th / (Added to FBR June 18th 2019) German Case
Macdo_Macdo - received October 16th / Pending
Bellcurvechaos – received October 22nd / Pending
Miles892 - received October 22nd / Pending

November 2018 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2018.
Luke125Swalker- received November 9th / Pending (South African Case)
Eowyn- received November 20th / Pending
MasterCaution – received November 28th / Pending. German case

December 2018 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2018.
Quondam – received December 18th / Added to FBR July 4th 2019) New Zealand Case

January 2019 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2019.
Bridgette – received January 9th / pending
Emyln – received January 15th / Pending
SamJakeChloe – received January 21st / (Added to FBR End April 2019) Malaysian Case
DanaMarie – received January 29th / Pending
Mikekally – received January 30th / Pending

February 2019 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2019.
Lee – received February 6th / Pending
Jaxx -received February 11th / Pending (Awaiting printing) Finnish Case
MikeyLondon – received February 12th / Pending

March 2019 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2019.
Tom_bcfc -received March 12th / Pending
Chrisinpm- received March 28th / Pending

April 2019 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2019.
Faull_Guy – received April 16th / Pending
Fvigaud – received April 26th 2019 / Pending

June 2019 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2019.
Dth- received Mid/Late June (unspecified) / Certificate printed and ready for collection August 12th 2019 – Hong Kong Case expedited due to pregnancy
Powerbook1 – received June 26th / (Added to FBR July 25th 2019) Hong Kong Case
JgClancy – received June 27th / Pending

July 2019 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2019.
CATG – received July 8th / Pending
Flyingmum – received July 19th / Pending

August 2019 applicants and date FBR applications received / added. All received dates 2019.
Luna2019 – received August 6th / Pending
ReturningIrish – received August 14th / Pending

[Laurie9434]

Does anyone know if they do same day passports there? Like we do here in the United States. Since I’m going to be there, I was hoping to avoid the mailing, processing, etc.

Only if it is an emergency. Otherwise, the minimum for passport renewals is three days. But obviously, you won't be a renewal case. For first-time adult applicants:
"The average turnaround time if you apply via appointment is 20 working days. The average turnaround time if you apply through passport express is 15 working days".

You could make an appointment (you can only get it in Dublin) to get a Stamp 6 (Without Conditions) endorsement in your non-Irish passport. That's for dual-citizenship Irish.

Thank you so much for the information!! I appreciate it very much!

Laurie

[KAR110]

Hi all,

I've been following this thread in the background but think it's time I add my application to the list!

Applied/sent off docs: 05/04/2019
Email Confirmation: 09/04/2019

The rest is still pending of course! I have moved house since making the application so had to send a new proof of address in. I called up today and they confirmed receipt and said it had been "actioned". I didn't bother asking about the status of my application as I know I won't hear anything for at least a year.

The main issue with my application documents was my Irish born Grandad's year of birth on his birth certificate does not match what is stated on his death certificate by 4 years. I was advised to explain this on the covering letter and haven't had any requests for further information but probably because it hasn't been looked at yet.

From what I've read on other forums is that inconsistencies with dates of birth is fairly common? My Grandad was born in 1932 per the birth certificate and then moved and subsequently died in the England which is where the death certificate was issued.

Many thanks,

Kyle

[Faith2611]

Hello I'm new to posting but have been lurking on the board for a while! Glad to hear that some August 2018 applicants have had success, although worrying to see that others have been told Feb 2020 at the earliest.

My timeline:
24/07/18 - €278 paid for the application process and application generated
03/08/18 – Documents received by London Embassy and email confirmation sent to me stating the application can take up to six months to process
01/07/19 – Email from Foreign Births Registration Returns Section stating that one of my documents hadn’t been notarised properly (my sister used the exact same document with no problem!)
18/07/19 – Posted new copy of document to Dublin to meet the requirements
As of today – heard nothing further!

Was hoping to have name added to register and passport obtained before 31st October as I’m sure everyone else from the UK is, but not looking likely now. Well past a year since I made my application.

Update! I just got my email today saying my recent(!!) application for Foreign Birth Registration was successful and I'm now an Irish Citizen

[Pumps100]

Hi I'm posting to record my current timeline to help others gauge where they are in the FBR process.

25/8/2018 - Applied online & sent documents to Embassy of Ireland in London.

29/8/2018 - Acknowledgement by email "up to six months to process".

Thanks Ian, Mine was received in Dublin 27/08/18. Will be interesting to see who is approved first and how big the gap between is...

Sulla,

I don't see LesMalouinettes on the August list. Received date August 27th. See above.

Ian

[Michael123]

Sulla,

Also wanted to say that I received the email asking me to confirm my mailing address on 7-31. I immediately responded and I was entered into the FBR one day later. on 8-1. I received the package in the mail 2 weeks later on 8-15. Exactly 12 months.

Also, I am going to be in Ireland for several weeks. Does anyone know if they do same day passports there? Like we do here in the United States. Since I’m going to be there, I was hoping to avoid the mailing, processing, etc.

Thank you!
Laurie

I would say no. They will tell you to simply travel on your US Passport, under US law you are required to use your US passport to exit and enter the US anyway. You can use an Irish passport to enter/exit Ireland but US citizens are required to use a US passport to enter or leave the USA. If yoy enter the US on your irish Passport you will be entering as a tourist and not a citizen, you will not be considered a citizen and subject to visa requirements and time limitations.

[Sulla]

I've been lurking for a long time too.

I submitted my application to Dublin on the 18th of Sept, 2018. It was received on the 27th of Sept, 2018 confirmed not only by tracking but an email from the DFA on the same day (Which actually seems pretty amazing given for some of you that confirmation seemed to occur randomly, months later). Since then, nothing from them except for when I contacted them via webchat early this month and got the same BS responses everyone else has had. They told me my application has been "activated" but that's all and that I shouldn't expect to hear anything before July/Aug this year.

Further to the post that Pumps100 (Ian) made above, can you please clear up your exact application date. Until now I have just been working with the content provided in your earliest post. As such, you are listed as a September 2018 applicant. However, there is another post mentioned by Ian that says August. Which is correct?

Thanks for clarifying this and I hope you hear some good news soon.

[Sulla]

Update! I just got my email today saying my recent(!!) application for Foreign Birth Registration was successful and I'm now an Irish Citizen

Thar's wonderful news indeed. I'm sure you are both pleased and relived. Let's hope that the delays with printing certificates are resolved soon and you get it in your hands promptly.

[Cooter]

Sulla

Could I be added to list of waiting

Application Submiited to Edinburgh on 14th November 2018
Email confirming application received in ireland 21st March 2019

No further contact from them so far

[maddeningbike]

Found an opinion piece from a British fella living in Cork about the FBR process that people here might find interesting: Amid Brexit chaos, I've been told I face a YEAR-LONG wait to be an Irish citizen

Sounds like he's going through the same experience as us, but he manages to get some information from a DFA spokesperson.

I've been in and out of this thread, but from what I can tell, we'd sussed that the DFA had undergone some reshuffling and started dealing with applications in date order, but I'd not heard it confirmed anywhere up until this point?

The spokesperson said: “The Department has responded to increased demand by creating a new, dedicated Foreign Birth Registration team, by reviewing and streamlining our processes, introducing improvements for efficiency and security, particularly with regard to identity.

“Applications are dealt with by date of application. Work is also streamlined depending on complexity, and applicants who clearly indicate that they are an expectant parent are prioritised.”

Lots of interesting stats there, too. There were 6000 applications in 2016, up to 25,000 in 2018, and 19,000 so far in 2019 already

[usczkat]

All I can say is I'm so bummed that it is a year now. Mine should be straight forward. 2 grandparents born in Ireland. All certificates and verifications completed, fees paid, excitement at the prospect of hearing at 6 months... came and went. Now a year... super bummed.

[Michael123]

[quote=usczkat post_id=1817339 time=1566596742 user_id=218558]
All I can say is I'm so bummed that it is a year now. Mine should be straight forward. 2 grandparents born in Ireland. All certificates and verifications completed, fees paid, excitement at the prospect of hearing at 6 months... came and went. Now a year... super bummed

My cousin Liam is in the same boat, his application was revieved thr day after mine. It will be worth it.. you are not far off now.

[Sulla]

All I can say is I'm so bummed that it is a year now. Mine should be straight forward. 2 grandparents born in Ireland. All certificates and verifications completed, fees paid, excitement at the prospect of hearing at 6 months... came and went. Now a year... super bummed

My cousin Liam is in the same boat, his application was revieved thr day after mine. It will be worth it.. you are not far off now.

It is natural to feel disappointed at this point. A year for a non-complex case exceeds posted guidance by some margin. Michael is right though. For the majority of people, getting approved will make all the bad feelings vanish.

You are certainly in the group of people that could hear something at any moment. Unfortunately, there do seem to be some printing delays currently, which may add a further bit of wait time - but at least you will know you are on the register during that period.

[Sulla]

Found an opinion piece from a British fella living in Cork about the FBR process that people here might find interesting: Amid Brexit chaos, I've been told I face a YEAR-LONG wait to be an Irish citizen

Sounds like he's going through the same experience as us, but he manages to get some information from a DFA spokesperson.

I've been in and out of this thread, but from what I can tell, we'd sussed that the DFA had undergone some reshuffling and started dealing with applications in date order, but I'd not heard it confirmed anywhere up until this point?

The spokesperson said: “The Department has responded to increased demand by creating a new, dedicated Foreign Birth Registration team, by reviewing and streamlining our processes, introducing improvements for efficiency and security, particularly with regard to identity.

“Applications are dealt with by date of application. Work is also streamlined depending on complexity, and applicants who clearly indicate that they are an expectant parent are prioritised.”

Lots of interesting stats there, too. There were 6000 applications in 2016, up to 25,000 in 2018, and 19,000 so far in 2019 already

Thanks for posting the link to that article.

Yes. If an FBR application is cancelled then the application fee will be refunded. The author asked this question.

As for processing strictly in date order, I cannot accept that. It is quite obviously inaccurate. Perhaps it refers to processing in date order received for applicants through the same processing channel? I'm not sure, but it is clear that those who are going through embassies are getting things done more rapidly than direct to Dublin applicants. In addition, there enough discrepancy between people who came through the same application pathway to make that statement a bit tenuous. Michael for example, was approved before Laurie or LeifRnR.

I

[Pumps100]

Thanks Maddeningbike for the link to the article. Useful to get a handle on the number of FBR applications.

But the sting of the tale was towards the end of the article. The British guy states that, whilst he did not vote in the 2016 EU referendum (because he lives in Ireland), if he could have voted it would have been Leave. Total hypocrite in my opinion.

Ian

[Court2]

Exercising your right/entitlement to citizenship and exercising your right to vote/thoughts about voting are two entirely different concepts.

Is one not permitted to believe the EU is a dictatorship of unelected and unaccountable individuals whilst also holding dual nationality?

Imagine how many dual nationals there are in the U.K. and you begin to realise how ridiculous your argument sounds, in my opinion.