Foreign Birth Registration

[Mikekally]

Hi there, just throwing my (so far uneventful) timeline onto the pile. I think I'm about halfway through.

27th Jan, posted in forms and most documents to Dublin address (I live in Ireland).
3 days later, received email confirmation of receipt.
4th Feb, called to confirm process for sending additional cert that had just arrived from UK.
5th Feb, posted another marriage cert in. No confirmation email but could see was signed for through An Post tracking on 6th.
11th and 13th Feb, called to check if they had added the extra cert to my file, they said they'd email me to let me know.
21st Feb, they emailed to ask for details of the extra docs I'd sent in and tracking number. Replied straight away with An Post details etc.
25th Feb, they replied to say they couldn't locate tracking number on royal mail site. Replied straight away to confirm it was An Post not Royal Mail.
March - August - No further updates, decided not to keep emailing or calling as it would only slow them down processing applications.

[Sulla]

Before you send your application form to the relevant office, you must have it witnessed by an appropriate person who is personally know to you but is not a relation.

The same witness should witness the form and two of the photographs and use their official stamp on the form. They should also certify a photocopy of the applicant's state-issued identity document as a true copy of the original.

If the witness does not have an official stamp you should supply a business card for them.

Who can witness the application form and photographs?

The witness can be one of the following, who is personally known to you and currently practicing in their profession:

Garda Síochána/ Police Officer
School Principal/ Vice Principal/ Teacher/ School Secretary/ Pre-school Manager/ Montessori Teacher/ Lecturer
Member of Clergy
Medical Doctor
Nurse
Physiotherapist
Speech Therapist
Pharmacist
Dentist
Lawyer
Notary Public/ Commissioner for Oaths
Peace Commissioner
Bank Manager/ Assistant Bank Manager or Credit Union Manager or Assistant Manager
Accountant
Elected Public Representative
Vet
Chartered Engineer

Thanks for contributing this. I had not noticed the change on the DFA website. It now seems that the Witness list has been expanded quite substantially. That should make new applicant's lives a little easier.

[Sulla]

US applicant, direct to Balbriggan. Received 29 January 2019, pending.

DanaMarie / Mikekally / Emlyn

All added in. Thanks for the information.

[Jaxx22]

Congratulations to those who have been added recently.

I am now officially at the 6 month mark and so far nothing.

I am going to call this week on the pretext of checking that my address has been changed as some people who also did this had to send another proof of address and I wasn't asked to do this so I am wondering if it will have been done and to clarify if I should let the embassy know too as they logically will be returning everything once completed. While I am at it I will ask about progress, I was told 6 weeks ago that my application was in final stages and it would be about 6 weeks (which will be Weds) so will be interesting to see if I am told the same - will keep you posted on that one.

[mozza75]

Hi Sulla

Long time reader here. Thank you for compiling the list as it keeps me sane.

Please can you add my two applications (for my kids) to the list. They went to London Embassy. (I sent separately as I wasn't aware I could have sent together, foolishly, as that's double certificates where one would have done for some of the application!)

Application 1: Applied online 6th Sept, posted 24/09/18, email received 25/09/18.
Application 2: As above, but initially not received an email, so emailed them, they confirmed they were both received on 25/09, but then later received an additional email on 17/01/2019 to say it was received (I think this was due to the move to Dublin).

It will be interesting to see if there is a nearly 4 month delay between them as with the automatic emails.

Thanks

Mozza

[Lee2521]

Thank you, Tom. That is the exact list I have, so hoping (very much hoping) that all is well there.

I am going to do as you say and send in my parents' marriage certificate and mine, with a note and the application numbers.

Thank you!

Hi Luna
This must be a very recent change and nobody had noticed this before so
Thanks to Tom riddle for Pointing this out. I had to wait 5 weeks to get my doctor to witness my application all because the list of witnesses was too short and very hard to get a witness required by DFA so in total this held up my application by 5 weeks.

So you just need to worry not worry lol but find out about your and your parents marriage certificate being sent out to the DFA.

[Luna2019]

Thank you, Lee! I thought perhaps I was going crazy (which is not too far off), and kept looking at the list.

It is very confusing though: My application has two lists. One is short; one is much longer. The longer one includes school secretary, so I went with that. I was nervous about it though.

As for the marriage certificates, it does say 'if applicable, or other name change document.' So that's why I thought only mattered if there was a name change. Still, I'm going to get those together based on what others have said.

Now that I am examining my application copy with a fine-tooth comb, I am worried about other mistakes I may have made. I was overwhelmed by the process and should have put the envelope aside for a day and rechecked. But I was so anxious to get it off. I just have my fingers crossed now.

Truly appreciative of this community here.

[Lee2521]

Thank you, Lee! I thought perhaps I was going crazy (which is not too far off), and kept looking at the list.

It is very confusing though: My application has two lists. One is short; one is much longer. The longer one includes school secretary, so I went with that. I was nervous about it though.

As for the marriage certificates, it does say 'if applicable, or other name change document.' So that's why I thought only mattered if there was a name change. Still, I'm going to get those together based on what others have said.

Now that I am examining my application copy with a fine-tooth comb, I am worried about other mistakes I may have made. I was overwhelmed by the process and should have put the envelope aside for a day and rechecked. But I was so anxious to get it off. I just have my fingers crossed now.

Truly appreciative of this community here.

Hi Luna
No problem,
The witness list you mentioned before was making me wonder why would the Irish Embassy/consulate DFA link be different in the USA to the UK and I have looked at DFA website for the Irish embassy of Thailand but all of the websites looked exactly the same also the same info. It's good we know now so we can help others whom apply also it makes it a lot easier to find a witness.

The process can feel daunting at first but as you get the documents and all the other required parts of the application you feel a bit more relieved, I for one was worried about my online application being done 5 weeks before sending my paper application. I was panicking on the last day of sending my application so I stupidly placed my passport in with my application and I called the DFA a few months later and before this I sent an e-mail to the Irish embassy in London and to my surprise when I called my passport was on it's way to me back in May this year.

You could try e-mailing the New York consulate or the Washington DC Embassy to ask about the marriage certificates also or you can call the DFA in Dublin check your call plan before or you could buy a phone card or Skype (free)

My status so far
Online application - 28/12/18
Application received (IRE) - 06/02/19

[Luna2019]

Hi Lee. Yikes about your passport. So glad you got it back! My application was for my kids, so I had four passports with me that day: my father's, my own, and one for each of my kids. When I mailed the package off, I had a panic attack that I had enclosed the originals along with the copies. Quickly looked in my purse and there they were: big sigh of relief.

I was really nervous about this -- mainly because I should have done this years ago and was beating myself up over it. I should have taken a deep breath, but I allowed myself to be overwhelmed.

I am an Irish citizen already because my father was born in Ireland. I need to renew my passport, which is significantly out of date. There too, it says: 'marriage cert, if applicable,' and then references again as necessary if there is a name change. The list of witnesses there is a short list. It does not include a notary but does include a "commissioner of oaths." I'm not sure if that is the same. But, to be safe, I will have my doctor do this. It's less time-intensive than my kids' forms, so I don't feel quite as bad about taking her time.

Step by step, I guess. I am glad that I will be able to check in here for good news for others, and hope you are on that list soon!

[Lee2521]

Hi Luna
Glad you didn't post all of the passport that would of been so not funny . You are Irish from your Father that's what I say to my mum as her mum my grandmother was born in Ireland and Irish by Irish law .
If you do encounter problems for your kids applications they will be a way to resolve it don't you worry .

I don't know if the witness list on the passport website has been changed or it's just the FBR section which has changed at all .

Thank you for your good wishes and I wish my mum pushed me to get to Irish citizenship as I have always been proud to have Irish heritage .

Good luck with your boys applications .

[Bridgette]

Hi everyone,

I just found this forum, and wow has it really made me realize just how long the process is really going to take, and that I am not in a good place.

Just for some information - I sent in my documents at the end of December 2018, email confirming receipt of documents received January 9th 2019. At this point the email and site still was estimating 6 months wait time.. so expecting that, I started to make preparations to move abroad to Europe.

I’ve quit my job (I’m a school teacher) and rented out my house. I’m currently just living out of a friends house, in complete limbo, just waiting on my chance to move abroad. To make matters worse, I’ll be losing by health insurance at the end of this month and my leased car is up in December! I was NOT expecting such a drastic difference in wait time, but perhaps that is my own fault. I’m very much in a “well, now what?” predicament! I also lost out on a really wonderful job opportunity in Rome because of the delay.

I’ve called them and they have told me to expect it in January.. but now seeing everyone else’s wait time and realizing they still haven’t finished processing all of August 2018, I feel as if even January is wishful thinking. There goes all my plans and all of my dreams for this year!

Bridgette

[oshma]

Hello all--

I filed my FBR in May of 2018. I totally understand that between Brexit and Trump, DFTA is wildly overrun.

That said, I have since moved, and I am really afraid that if/when any correspondence gets sent to me, I won't get it forwarded.

I tried calling, and the voicemail system doesn't allow messages to be left. How can I get my contact information updated?

Thanks for any and all help.

Mary O'Shaughnessy

[Laurie9434]

Hi everyone!

It’s been a week since I responded to the “confirm your mailing address email” from the FBR Office. It said my application would be approved shortly. Does anyone have an idea what shortly means? And will I receive another email?

Thanks,
Laurie

[NYNJ]

Just found this site while trying to determine if others were experiencing the same delays in FBR processing that I am. My situation: submitted FBR request for my son in August 2018 (I was entered onto FBR in 2002). Email confirmation of receipt of application received on August 16, 2018. Radio silence since then. Please add me to the list of August 2018 applicants that haven't received anything yet.

[Pumps100]

Hi everyone!

It’s been a week since I responded to the “confirm your mailing address email” from the FBR Office. It said my application would be approved shortly. Does anyone have an idea what shortly means? And will I receive another email?

Thanks,
Laurie

Well done Laurie. We are creeping forward through August 2018. I'm 11 months 9 days today.

Cheers

Ian

[Lee2521]

Hi everyone,

I just found this forum, and wow has it really made me realize just how long the process is really going to take, and that I am not in a good place.

Just for some information - I sent in my documents at the end of December 2018, email confirming receipt of documents received January 9th 2019. At this point the email and site still was estimating 6 months wait time.. so expecting that, I started to make preparations to move abroad to Europe.

I’ve quit my job (I’m a school teacher) and rented out my house. I’m currently just living out of a friends house, in complete limbo, just waiting on my chance to move abroad. To make matters worse, I’ll be losing by health insurance at the end of this month and my leased car is up in December! I was NOT expecting such a drastic difference in wait time, but perhaps that is my own fault. I’m very much in a “well, now what?” predicament! I also lost out on a really wonderful job opportunity in Rome because of the delay.

I’ve called them and they have told me to expect it in January.. but now seeing everyone else’s wait time and realizing they still haven’t finished processing all of August 2018, I feel as if even January is wishful thinking. There goes all my plans and all of my dreams for this year!

Bridgette

Hi Bridgette

Give the FBR a call to seek advice on your plan to change of address abroad to see what your options are.
If you want to teach English there are many opportunities around the world and not just in Europe also for these positions
Visas will not be hard to obtain that's if you want to still teach.

[fvigaud]

Hi Sulla,

Please add me to your list (and thank you for doing this!) DFAT acknowledged receipt of my application on April 26, 2019. I sent direct to Balbriggan from Washington, DC.

Cheers,
F

[Luna2019]

Hi Sulla and all. Perhaps you can add me to your list.

I sent in my kids' application on August 1, 2019, from the US to Balbriggan via USPS Priority Mail. I received an email today that they received the application and the supporting paperwork in Balbriggan. The email said that applications can take up to six months to process.

I was thrilled to get that email, and I'm hoping that all is in order.

Thanks for all the work you do here.

[Sulla]

Hi everyone!

It’s been a week since I responded to the “confirm your mailing address email” from the FBR Office. It said my application would be approved shortly. Does anyone have an idea what shortly means? And will I receive another email?

Thanks,
Laurie

I think you should ask Michael / LeifRnR as they went through this most recently. I do not remember that either of them experienced a lengthy delay between confirmation of addition to the register / address verification and actual delivery of the certificate. Probably around 2-3 weeks would be my estimate. They seem to be fairly on top of the printing aspect these days - in sharp contrast to earlier this year.

I hope it arrives soon for you.

[Sulla]

Hello all--

I filed my FBR in May of 2018. I totally understand that between Brexit and Trump, DFTA is wildly overrun.

That said, I have since moved, and I am really afraid that if/when any correspondence gets sent to me, I won't get it forwarded.

I tried calling, and the voicemail system doesn't allow messages to be left. How can I get my contact information updated?

Thanks for any and all help.

Mary O'Shaughnessy

Welcome to the forum.

Could you possibly be more specific with your application received date? I want to add it to the list. As a May 2018 applicant, you will be joining Jacqui as having experienced one of the longest waits. Did you have to submit other documents later or have clarification requests?

[Sulla]

Just found this site while trying to determine if others were experiencing the same delays in FBR processing that I am. My situation: submitted FBR request for my son in August 2018 (I was entered onto FBR in 2002). Email confirmation of receipt of application received on August 16, 2018. Radio silence since then. Please add me to the list of August 2018 applicants that haven't received anything yet.

Don't worry too much. You are in good company. There are many others who applied at around the same time as you who have not heard anything either, However, it is likely that you will receive your certificate in the next month. Laurie applied a day before you and was recently contacted for confirmation of address, which is a precursor to mailing the certificate.

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)
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 / Pending (coming soon - address confirmed)
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

[Sulla]

Hi Sulla,

Please add me to your list (and thank you for doing this!) DFAT acknowledged receipt of my application on April 26, 2019. I sent direct to Balbriggan from Washington, DC.

Cheers,
F

I have added you and everyone else on this page who shared application date information to the overall list. Thank you all.

[Laurie9434]

Hi everyone!

It’s been a week since I responded to the “confirm your mailing address email” from the FBR Office. It said my application would be approved shortly. Does anyone have an idea what shortly means? And will I receive another email?

Thanks,
Laurie

Well done Laurie. We are creeping forward through August 2018. I'm 11 months 9 days today.

Cheers

Ian

YAY!!!!!

[Lee2521]

Hi Sulla

Please add me to your extended list , as of today I have reached the 6 month mark , application
received in Balbriggan Co.Dublin 06/02/18 .

Online application - 28/12/18
Application Received - 06/02/19
All other stages of process - Pending

Many thanks

[Sulla]

Hi Sulla

Please add me to your extended list , as of today I have reached the 6 month mark , application
received in Balbriggan Co.Dublin 06/02/18 .

Online application - 28/12/18
Application Received - 06/02/19
All other stages of process - Pending

Many thanks

Hi Lee,

I have added you in. Thanks for sharing your info.