Foreign Birth Registration

[Jacqui309]

Well it’s my applications 15 month anniversary today and still no news. I have emailed but not had a response. I just wish I knew what was happening

[usczkat]

Well it’s my applications 15 month anniversary today and still no news. I have emailed but not had a response. I just wish I knew what was happening

Please do let us know if you hear anything back. I'm wondering if they just stopped responding to inquiries now.
Did you have some items that that needed fixing? Or is yours a straight forward application that you still have not heard anything on?

[Aussie_MJ]

Amazing work Sulla.

Could you please add me? Application submitted online 4th September 2018 and documents received at Irish embassy in Dublin on 10th September 2018.

Here's hoping the September group get some good news soon!

OK I have added you in. Just to clarify one point: do you mean received by the DFA in Dublin? Are you a direct to Dublin applicant or are you going through an embassy overseas?

Thanks for sharing your info.

Thanks! I am a direct applicant to Dublin so documents were received by DFA in Dublin on 10th Sept 2018.

[rolevelyn]

The fact is that for instance in the US, 50% of people pay no Federal income taxes.

This is a misleading statement - especially when made by or reported to people who don't live in the U.S. It's a favorite talking point of some in the U.S. But it ignores the fact that every working person pays federal payroll taxes (which funds benefits to current retirees and the disabled). There are often also considerable state income taxes, federal petrol taxes, excise taxes on liquor, and state sales taxes (which are regressive), real estate taxes.

All too often, it is these same individuals who are calling for the rich to pay more.

How do you define "too often"? One person making such calls? One thousand? "Too often" is a subjective measure that exists only in the mind of the observer making such a statement. But anyone who lives in the U.S. knows that it is politicians (generally well-heeled) and wealthy activists who are the loudest voices on this. .

[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

[usczkat]

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

WOOHOO!! So happy for you.... no email or anything yet here, days away from my one year acknowledgement of receipt, wish they would at least answer email, no high expectation, but...

It's been nice to hear of the ones that are getting complete, it at least notes that there is movement in the force!

[Sulla]

Hi, just a quick update to my timeline as looks like nearing the end of a long journey.

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 Received - awaited

Hi Sulla, the added to FBR date was 23rd May, just for keeping your excellent list up to date.

Good luck to everyone still waiting, it takes a while but it’s worth it!

Thank you for the clarification. I hope the passport arrives in the next few days.

[Sulla]

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.

[Sulla]

The fact is that for instance in the US, 50% of people pay no Federal income taxes.

This is a misleading statement - especially when made by or reported to people who don't live in the U.S. It's a favorite talking point of some in the U.S. But it ignores the fact that every working person pays federal payroll taxes (which funds benefits to current retirees and the disabled). There are often also considerable state income taxes, federal petrol taxes, excise taxes on liquor, and state sales taxes (which are regressive), real estate taxes.

All too often, it is these same individuals who are calling for the rich to pay more.

How do you define "too often"? One person making such calls? One thousand? "Too often" is a subjective measure that exists only in the mind of the observer making such a statement. But anyone who lives in the U.S. knows that it is politicians (generally well-heeled) and wealthy activists who are the loudest voices on this. .

Hi there,

I don't think the statement I made is wrong or particularly misleading. I was talking to BrexitEscapee, who is UK based and therefore knows plenty about paying taxes. Saying someone pays no income tax in the UK will not make everyone believe that that person is immune from paying national insurance contributions (essentially payroll tax) , Council tax (property based), VAT (sales tax) or the other consumption taxes you mentioned. Besides, I think most people here are worldly wise enough to have at least some familiarity with the US tax code. If you want me to add a long list of caveats to such statements then I can, but I don't think its really called for. If we are going to do that, then you should also mention that many of the taxes you mention are in fact elective consumption taxes (liquor / Gas etc) , five states have no sales taxes and seven states have no state level income taxes.

I did not say that half of the people in the US paid no taxes. I said they paid no federal income taxes. That is accurate. This is relevant because it is the top level of federal tax that many people campaigning for tax reform would like to see increased - or some other special form of federal wealth tax. Therefore, the situation does exist that there is broad support for tax hikes on wealthy people and a great many of the people who support such a move themselves pay no federal income tax and / or would not be impacted by any adjustment. This comes back to my point that it is easy to call for others to do more when nothing is required of yourself - especially if you stand to benefit.

As to who the people are that often call for such changes, of course politicians lead the way. However, I was not referring to them or the media. Like BrexitEscapee, I was merely basing this on my experience of interacting with others in social situations and discussing matters. I move around a lot and I meet lots of people from different nations and walks of life. The vast majority of people I meet seem to support lower / no taxes (and more services) for them and high taxes on wealthy people. In general, Americans are more divided than Europeans on this, with at least some of them thinking high taxes are not a fabulous idea. That is just my perspective. I am not seeking to foist it on you or anyone else.

[MikeyLondon]

Thank you for the hard work done on tracking applications as well as for the interesting posts from all.

I am in London UK and submitted my FBR online in February 2019.

The online part and the payment was acknowledged by email on the 7th February and the receipt of the paper-based documentation was acknowledged on the 12th February.

Naively I expected the process to take a couple of weeks - given the amount of documentation and hoops to be jumped through plus the cost (the payment upfront and the costs of the documentation and notarised copies...) Fortunately I found a discussion on this site pretty quickly which put me wise!

I did, hope against hope, call the DFA this morning asking for an update.

The phone only rang twice. The person I spoke to checked my details and told me there'd be no movement before February.

I am resigned to this now but even so, looking back to February the emails did say a wait of six, perhaps twelve months in complicated cases. I understand that there's an avalanche of applications from the UK alone.

My case, I thought, was straightforward and I believe I submitted all the documentation and proofs requested. I suppose we all think this and want our certificate/passport tomorrow!

I did have all my documentation in place for quite some time before submitting it - which, of course, was a mistake. This was because I found it quite a painful process - a sad one - having to dig up all those certificates, all those dead people! I really felt like I was disturbing my ancestors.

Had it not been for Brexit and all the awfulness it unleashed in the UK, I might not have applied at all. At my age, it's symbolic more than anything else.

I'm not keen on passports, I disapprove of nationalities and nationalism. But I am, and have always considered myself to be, Irish - it is how I describe myself (as well as being a Londoner and a European - and have spent time living and working in the EU).

And I did apply and would be proud to receive FBR/Irish Citizenship if all goes well and, hopefully, an Irish passport.

[rolevelyn]

I did not say that half of the people in the US paid no taxes. I said they paid no federal income taxes. That is accurate.

It is technically accurate. But it is a statistic that was initially used by a presidential candidate to suggest that those who don't pay federal income tax are malingerers:
"All right, there are 47 percent... who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it". -- Mitt Romney (2012)

If you don't live in the U.S., you probably don't know the context in which this has been used, and continues to be used.

The fact that someone does not pay federal income tax does not mean they are dependent on the government, or believe they are victims, or have no desire to better themselves. Those who earn less than the lowest tax bracket include seniors, students working part time, and the working poor. Actually, some people with very high incomes are able to avoid federal income taxes.

As for states without sales or income tax, with the exception of Alaska, there are no states without at least one. The money has to come from somewhere. Alaska gets oil revenues, and pays dividends to citizens (but there are still some local property and sales taxes). So no matter where you live in the US, you will pay taxes.

[Luke125SWalker]

Hi Sulla

Thanks for your amazing list.

Please add me when you update it again.

Application Received: 9 November 2018 (Pretoria Embassy, South Africa)
Added to FBR: Pending

Thank You

[Jacqui309]

Please do let us know if you hear anything back. I'm wondering if they just stopped responding to inquiries now.
Did you have some items that that needed fixing? Or is yours a straight forward application that you still have not heard anything on?
[/quote]

Yes I did have some questions in October 2018 when they first looked at it and had to get my mother’s passport receryified but that was all completed last year. Nothing since. Last thing I was told that was passed to a manager having completed all checks at the beginning of December.

[Pumps100]

Thank you for the hard work done on tracking applications as well as for the interesting posts from all.

I am in London UK and submitted my FBR online in February 2019.

The online part and the payment was acknowledged by email on the 7th February and the receipt of the paper-based documentation was acknowledged on the 12th February.

Naively I expected the process to take a couple of weeks - given the amount of documentation and hoops to be jumped through plus the cost (the payment upfront and the costs of the documentation and notarised copies...) Fortunately I found a discussion on this site pretty quickly which put me wise!

I did, hope against hope, call the DFA this morning asking for an update.

The phone only rang twice. The person I spoke to checked my details and told me there'd be no movement before February.

I am resigned to this now but even so, looking back to February the emails did say a wait of six, perhaps twelve months in complicated cases. I understand that there's an avalanche of applications from the UK alone.

My case, I thought, was straightforward and I believe I submitted all the documentation and proofs requested. I suppose we all think this and want our certificate/passport tomorrow!

I did have all my documentation in place for quite some time before submitting it - which, of course, was a mistake. This was because I found it quite a painful process - a sad one - having to dig up all those certificates, all those dead people! I really felt like I was disturbing my ancestors.

Had it not been for Brexit and all the awfulness it unleashed in the UK, I might not have applied at all. At my age, it's symbolic more than anything else.

I'm not keen on passports, I disapprove of nationalities and nationalism. But I am, and have always considered myself to be, Irish - it is how I describe myself (as well as being a Londoner and a European - and have spent time living and working in the EU).

And I did apply and would be proud to receive FBR/Irish Citizenship if all goes well and, hopefully, an Irish passport.

Hi Mike,

I'm the same as you in relation to why I am doing it. For purely personal and rather selfish reasons. Selfish because only I can benefit from it - not my wife, nor my children, or my grandchildren. I just don't want to be associated with being "British" - with a toxic passport which I am frankly now shamed and embarrassed to use.

With regard to submission of documents and the current delays I always give the advice for people who say they are going to apply - but often procrastinate. Common reason: because they are waiting for a certificate from "Auntie Jean" or from a sibling, or whoever. Don't rely on anybody or hang about - just buy fresh clean certs. You'll have them within the week.

My received date is August 29th, 2018. Two weeks short of being a year.

Ian

[jgclancy]

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

Congrats!

[jgclancy]

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

Congrats!

[MikeyLondon]

Thank you for the hard work done on tracking applications as well as for the interesting posts from all.

I am in London UK and submitted my FBR online in February 2019.

The online part and the payment was acknowledged by email on the 7th February and the receipt of the paper-based documentation was acknowledged on the 12th February.

Naively I expected the process to take a couple of weeks - given the amount of documentation and hoops to be jumped through plus the cost (the payment upfront and the costs of the documentation and notarised copies...) Fortunately I found a discussion on this site pretty quickly which put me wise!

I did, hope against hope, call the DFA this morning asking for an update.

The phone only rang twice. The person I spoke to checked my details and told me there'd be no movement before February.

I am resigned to this now but even so, looking back to February the emails did say a wait of six, perhaps twelve months in complicated cases. I understand that there's an avalanche of applications from the UK alone.

My case, I thought, was straightforward and I believe I submitted all the documentation and proofs requested. I suppose we all think this and want our certificate/passport tomorrow!

I did have all my documentation in place for quite some time before submitting it - which, of course, was a mistake. This was because I found it quite a painful process - a sad one - having to dig up all those certificates, all those dead people! I really felt like I was disturbing my ancestors.

Had it not been for Brexit and all the awfulness it unleashed in the UK, I might not have applied at all. At my age, it's symbolic more than anything else.

I'm not keen on passports, I disapprove of nationalities and nationalism. But I am, and have always considered myself to be, Irish - it is how I describe myself (as well as being a Londoner and a European - and have spent time living and working in the EU).

And I did apply and would be proud to receive FBR/Irish Citizenship if all goes well and, hopefully, an Irish passport.

Hi Mike,

I'm the same as you in relation to why I am doing it. For purely personal and rather selfish reasons. Selfish because only I can benefit from it - not my wife, nor my children, or my grandchildren. I just don't want to be associated with being "British" - with a toxic passport which I am frankly now shamed and embarrassed to use.

With regard to submission of documents and the current delays I always give the advice for people who say they are going to apply - but often procrastinate. Common reason: because they are waiting for a certificate from "Auntie Jean" or from a sibling, or whoever. Don't rely on anybody or hang about - just buy fresh clean certs. You'll have them within the week.

My received date is August 29th, 2018. Two weeks short of being a year.

Ian

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your thoughts - completely agree about the toxicity of the British passport - the shame of it!

You are right about the procrastination - I did have everything in place just after Brexit but found it all a very emotional and upsetting process. Had I found this forum then - I would have snapped out of that sharpish! Your advice is good.

Great good luck with your application and it may everything come through in the next few weeks.

Mike

[Sulla]

I did not say that half of the people in the US paid no taxes. I said they paid no federal income taxes. That is accurate.

It is technically accurate. But it is a statistic that was initially used by a presidential candidate to suggest that those who don't pay federal income tax are malingerers:
"All right, there are 47 percent... who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it". -- Mitt Romney (2012)

If you don't live in the U.S., you probably don't know the context in which this has been used, and continues to be used.

The fact that someone does not pay federal income tax does not mean they are dependent on the government, or believe they are victims, or have no desire to better themselves. Those who earn less than the lowest tax bracket include seniors, students working part time, and the working poor. Actually, some people with very high incomes are able to avoid federal income taxes.

As for states without sales or income tax, with the exception of Alaska, there are no states without at least one. The money has to come from somewhere. Alaska gets oil revenues, and pays dividends to citizens (but there are still some local property and sales taxes). So no matter where you live in the US, you will pay taxes.

I'm not using the statistic referenced to suggest anything akin to what Mitt put out there in 2012. I'm sure he got that statistic from somewhere (probably the IRS) and the fact that we both made use of it does not interlink us. It's just a fact. It is unfortunate that certain connotations seem to have been associated with it.

My only point is that it is easy for people to clamor for others to do stuff, while they themselves feel no effect. A safer analogy would be people in Scotland (where it rains lots) campaigning for a hosepipe ban in the south of England.

I am not from the US (though I love the place), but I do have business partners and many investors who originate from there. Most of these people have assets in excess of $20MM. Basically none of them have escaped the US tax net - even by going fully offshore. The very rich people you mention who pay no taxes are in fact the billionaire class ( or close to) who make use of extremely costly and complex structures / accounting practices to achieve this. It is not something that your average successful entrepreneur manages to pull off. With renunciation, more is possible, but understandably not everyone wants to do that.

[Michael123]

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

Congratulations!!

Did you get your passport application ready?

Your letter and certificate, was it signed by a male
With first initial of T?

[Sulla]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your thoughts - completely agree about the toxicity of the British passport - the shame of it!

You are right about the procrastination - I did have everything in place just after Brexit but found it all a very emotional and upsetting process. Had I found this forum then - I would have snapped out of that sharpish! Your advice is good.

Great good luck with your application and it may everything come through in the next few weeks.

Mike

First of all, I added you and everyone else on this page into the list. Thanks for sharing your information.

Secondly, I just want to say that as someone who moves around a bit, I have yet to encounter any hostility or jibes connected with using my UK passport. I think any notion of "toxicity" is misplaced. Actually, it is still one of the world's best travel documents. I understand that Brexit and the effects of it dominate all UK news and have for some time. However, the rest of the world was never that interested to begin with and has certainly moved on since 2016 - the exceptions to this being our closest neighbors. The only people I meet in Asia who display any interest in Brexit are people who want to invest in real estate while sterling is low or people in finance who are interested taking advantage of it - by for instance shorting GBP.

I think the idea of national humiliation associated with Brexit is something that we have largely fostered in our own minds. People overseas tend to care about and talk about the Trump phenomenon far more. The reality is that the UK does not matter nearly as much as some people think it does in the global scheme of things - despite being the world's 5th largest economy and what the Brexiteers say.

I am going to Italy and Malta in a few days and I will make a point of using the UK passport. I don't spend oodles of time in Europe, so it will be interesting to see if there are any adverse reactions to report. I doubt there will be. My advice would be to go where you want to go and don't hold back because of any perceived stigma associated with using a UK passport. Remember, there are still plenty of people trying desperately to get one of those.

In the past, I have encountered a bit of hostility when using my St. Kitts travel document. It has the tax haven label (completely justified) and is not a favorite at immigration. In addition, I did get some comments from people about becoming Turkish. Everything from saying it's a dictatorship to the Armenian massacre for that one. I am yet to have anything for the UK.

[Pumps100]

Sulla,

As I said it's purely my personal perception of being "British" in relation to being ashamed of it. This is my perception which is personal to me.

I'd gladly have a Scottish passport if this ever became a reality.

Ian

[Sulla]

Sulla,

As I said it's purely my personal perception of being "British" in relation to being ashamed of it. This is my perception which is personal to me.

I'd gladly have a Scottish passport if this ever became a reality.

Ian

I understand your position. My cousin feels the same way. I too would welcome the chance to have a Scottish passport. I was after all born and raised in Edinburgh. However, for me, it would just be another travel document. I don't have much sense of patriotism in me. What I do have is a sense of European identity, which was why I was so keen to remain an EU citizen.

[ReturningIrish]

Hi everyone,

I was born in England and applied to the register of foreign births September 2016, thanks to my Offaly-born grandmother. I was added to the register in February 2017. My daughter was born in June of this year and we have now applied for her name to be added to the register. My mother-in-law was born in Dublin, so for my daughter’s application we used her details to reduce the number of documents we had to collate.

As a European and Remainer, securing Irish and EU citizenship has never been about taking the shorter queue at the airport. It has been about reaffirming my identity and protecting my rights, and those of my daughter. My wife and I holidayed in Co Kerry last summer and spent time with family. Truly it is a beautiful country with beautiful people. I feel extremely lucky to be able to call myself Irish.

FBR application (for my daughter):

Application submitted: 5 August 2019
Application received in Dublin: 14 August 2019*
Congratulations you are now an Irish citizen email: Pending
Printing of FBR certificate: Pending
Delivery of FBR certificate: Pending


* Date of email acknowledging receipt of application and supporting documents

[Mcink]

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.

[Jaxx22]

Congratulations Laurie

I still have not heard or received anything, almost two weeks since I was told that my certificate was waiting to be printed. I spoke with the embassy last week to make sure they have the correct details and was asked to email them which I did, asked them to confirm that they have the correct information and have had no reply as yet.

I am tempted to call the dfa again and ask for a time frame but I don't really want to do that but perhaps I will give it a couple more weeks and then do so.

I would like to visit Ireland/meet with family over there once I have my passport but agree to remain an EU citizen will be good, I class myself as European rather than British.