Foreign Birth Registration

[teranos]

Hi , i did certified translation for everything . , to avoid wasting time.

I haven’t submitted yet. Did you find any more information about this?

Did you get a certified translation ? My proofs of address are in spanish too

Hi everyone,

One question. I am planning to submit my application for the FBR soon but as I live in Spain my proof of address is in Spanish e.g bank and proof of address from local council. Is this ok or should I get it translated?

[teranos]

Hi , i did certified translation for everything . , to avoid wasting time.

I haven’t submitted yet. Did you find any more information about this?

Did you get a certified translation ? My proofs of address are in spanish too

Hi everyone,

One question. I am planning to submit my application for the FBR soon but as I live in Spain my proof of address is in Spanish e.g bank and proof of address from local council. Is this ok or should I get it translated?

[teranos]

Yeah , so basically i thought it might be faster from Mexico or some other countries.
But a person who work there told me everything is sent to Ireland lol

Hi all,

After I received my citizenship last year my three sisters were inspired to do the same. They sent off a joint application with their three different addresses (two in UK one in France) and three different countries of birth (Australia, Canada and UK - our parents were great travellers), so not all that straightforward. They received the congratulations email within an hour of one another, suggesting that even though checking the documents involved four different countries, FBR waited for everything to be complete before issuing joint congratulations.

Application date: 16/12/22
Docs received: 3/1/23
Address check: not received
Congratulations: 22/11/23
Certificate: TBA

I have updated the spreadsheet. Next step, passports then off to Balbriggan to look up our grandfather's family!

[teranos]

its's good to know we can mail documents. I guess scanned copies ?

Hello!

Documentation received 27 October 2022.
A further certified copy of parents ID was requested on 21 August 2023 and sent across via email (as requested) 22 August 2023.

Since then I have not heard a thing; no confirmation that the further documentation was received and when I called the FBR office they said I might not receive an update until after Christmas!

Just really disheartening when the waiting times have decreased so much.

Has anyone else had a similar instance and, if so, how long did it take for you to receive your congratulations email?

Was really hoping this would be completed after around 12 months based on the waiting times going down to 9 months

I’m not an FBR expert, but eyeballing other messages on this thread over time suggests that congratulations emails tend to come 6 months after additional documents requested. That would fit with the office response of ‘after Christmas’ (August plus 6 months = February)

In the interests of helping others avoid an additional documents request do you know why they requested a second copy of parents’ ID? Did one of those original IDs expire before August or recently? I know they will often ask for ID again if the original copies have an expiry date before FBR is completed.

In any case, here’s hoping you get your congratulations email soon.

They put in their email:

Unfortunately I cannot proceed with your application without the following documents:

PARENT :

Photocopy of current state-issued ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card) signed by a professional from the list of witnesses as a true copy of the original

I do remember putting the photocopy in, so I can only assume that they have somehow misplaced it or my memory fails me!

When my dad was applying for his passport, they said that his birth certificate had gone missing when he had also sent it through.

Hopefully I get it back soon! I think it’s the radio silence with no confirmation of whether they have even received your return email which is frustrating

They do lose documents unfortunately. It sounds however that the parents ID that you supplied is no longer current (even if it was when you submitted it.) They will ask for a resubmission of ID if it has expired before they process it.

Good luck, hope you get it soon.

So for others who are going to apply: worthwhile picking the longest-valid ID you can. Some people even renew ID before applying to get more validity time, but not always possible of course.

Thank you so much! It was definitely still valid as it’s the same ID that I sent another copy over - I think maybe I need to quadruple check all the documents next time.

Congratulations email finally received today. Timeline as follows:-

Documents received: 27 October 2022.
A further certified copy of parents ID was requested on 21 August 2023 and sent across via email (as requested) 22 August 2023.
Congratulations email: 1 November 2023

[danp142]

Hi guys. Another FBS applicant here.

I sent my documents in March this year and haven't heard anything since. It seems like most people here got a receipt or documents received email. So now I'm concerned that they never received the application. Did anyone else hear nothing after sending their application?

I found the application received in my junk mail at the time, so you may have missed it if your junk mail deletes things after some time. They do have an online chat though so maybe try asking on there? Worth a shot

Can you link me to this online chat? I can't find one on the dfa.ie website?

[meself2]

Hi guys. Another FBS applicant here.

I sent my documents in March this year and haven't heard anything since. It seems like most people here got a receipt or documents received email. So now I'm concerned that they never received the application. Did anyone else hear nothing after sending their application?

I found the application received in my junk mail at the time, so you may have missed it if your junk mail deletes things after some time. They do have an online chat though so maybe try asking on there? Worth a shot

Can you link me to this online chat? I can't find one on the dfa.ie website?

https://www.dfa.ie/passports/contact/

Down below is the button for online chat; it's past 4:30 Ireland now though, so try tomorrow.

[jgclancy]

Just an update from my recent post. I helped a friend as well as a third cousin apply to FBR.
Happy to say that both received the " application received e-mail " after a week or two.
Now...the many months long wait for hopefully the " address correct ? email "
I told them to now forget about it & not worry. Let the system do its thing.

Jgclancy

[ronaldbutterbean]

Just an update from my recent post. I helped a friend as well as a third cousin apply to FBR.
Happy to say that both received the " application received e-mail " after a week or two.
Now...the many months long wait for hopefully the " address correct ? email "
I told them to now forget about it & not worry. Let the system do its thing.

Jgclancy

Probably about 10 months as long as there is no extra documents required.

[jgclancy]

Just an update from my recent post. I helped a friend as well as a third cousin apply to FBR.
Happy to say that both received the " application received e-mail " after a week or two.
Now...the many months long wait for hopefully the " address correct ? email "
I told them to now forget about it & not worry. Let the system do its thing.

Jgclancy

Probably about 10 months as long as there is no extra documents required.

That's my hope. Way better than my 2 1/2 year long FBR journey due to Brexit & Covid & the US Postal Service.
Crossing fingers that all goessmoothly.

Jgclancy

[wiivile]

Are they less strict with the FBR photos than with passport photos? Because they don't really give any specifications or requirements of the photos, which I know are pretty strict for passports. They just say 'passport-sized', which I take to mean the standard EU 35mm x 45mm.

Also, unfortunately in the state of New York, notaries are not permitted to certify copies of documents (my state-issued ID) so I have to find someone else to serve as my witness who has a stamp/business card/letterhead...ugh

[Paddystarni]

Has anyone else made the application then moved address?
When they send me the confirm address Mail, is it just as simple as giving the new address or will they then need new proof of address sent to them

[meself2]

Has anyone else made the application then moved address?
When they send me the confirm address Mail, is it just as simple as giving the new address or will they then need new proof of address sent to them

They'll need proof (since address would be on the certificate afaik).

[Frances#7]

Hi folks,

I'm really struggling to make a direct connection with my Irish grandfather and wondered if anyone has been in a similar situation. He didn't sign his children's birth certificates, was not married to my grandmother who died shortly after my mother was born, and my mother was taken into care and adopted as an infant, so it's very difficult to make a direct link.

My mum was given his surname at birth, and a solicitor suggested trying to add my grandfather to my mum's birth certificate, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable doing that even if it's possible. And it would surely come back to the same question of how to prove my grandfather was my mum's father through official documentation.

Has anyone successfully demonstrated the link through care documents or other non-official documentation? I've been unsuccessful getting a reply from the local authority but it's probably my last hope.

[Vadrar]

Hi folks,

I'm really struggling to make a direct connection with my Irish grandfather and wondered if anyone has been in a similar situation. He didn't sign his children's birth certificates, was not married to my grandmother who died shortly after my mother was born, and my mother was taken into care and adopted as an infant, so it's very difficult to make a direct link.

My mum was given his surname at birth, and a solicitor suggested trying to add my grandfather to my mum's birth certificate, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable doing that even if it's possible. And it would surely come back to the same question of how to prove my grandfather was my mum's father through official documentation.

Has anyone successfully demonstrated the link through care documents or other non-official documentation? I've been unsuccessful getting a reply from the local authority but it's probably my last hope.

I can’t comment on care or adoption documents, I’ll leave that to those better qualified.

But re other routes: when you say he didn’t sign his children’s birth certs, is he listed as the father at all? Does his death(assuming he has passed) list his children? Do your mother’s care or adoption documents list him? Does your mother have him named on her marriage or death cert if either is applicable? Does your mother have a baptismal record listing her father?

These routes are less effective but can be supportive: Did he leave a will and list his children?
Can you find him on census records listing his children?

We are getting some traction on association applications with a missing father on birth cert through the routes above. Association isn’t FBR, but they share similar documentation requirements.

[jgclancy]

Are they less strict with the FBR photos than with passport photos? Because they don't really give any specifications or requirements of the photos, which I know are pretty strict for passports. They just say 'passport-sized', which I take to mean the standard EU 35mm x 45mm.

Also, unfortunately in the state of New York, notaries are not permitted to certify copies of documents (my state-issued ID) so I have to find someone else to serve as my witness who has a stamp/business card/letterhead...ugh

in NY they can notarize IDs but the page has to have a statement. Thus, they are notarizing the person's statement about the ID and not the ID itself. Some notaries won't but some will.

The application itself & photographs don't need notarizing . Just the witnesses signature and date. It must be same date as applicants date btw. Plus, a business card or letter from the witness if no stamp ( in USA we don't usually have the stamps) The witness then gets your ID with declaration statement notarized.

Examp!e: Photocopy of state ID or Passport of applicant

I, witnesses name, certify that this is a true copy of applicants passport.

Signature of witness. Date
Printed name of witness


Notary Stamp



Photos should just be EU passport sized photos. 4 photos with 2 signed & dated by witness.Date must match the application date. Passport office seems a bit more picky about the actual photos than the FBR but the size matters because it has to fit in the space they have for attaching to your certificate.

[lukys]

Hey guys,

Does anyone know if we can submit the proof of Address in a non English language ? I have two proofs of Address from Spain. Do they have to be translated?

I submitted French documents from France. I had called the helpline, who told me I should contact the Irish embassy in Paris for information about certified translators, but when I emailed the embassy they told me I didn't need translations.

So what I did was just auto-translate the images with Google Translate. I included a print-out of the email from the embassy and I explained in my cover letter that the embassy had assured me translations weren't required but that I'd be including machine translations "just to make your lives easier".

I've only just submitted the application so I'll let everyone know how successful that strategy was in 9 month's time.

[Rustymammy]

Hello
Does anyone have a link to view the Google Tracker Spreadsheet?
Thank you

[CR001]

Hello
Does anyone have a link to view the Google Tracker Spreadsheet?
Thank you

In the signature of this user GoingBackBackToEire

ireland/foreign-birth-registration-t277 ... l#p2134395

[passmeaguinness]

Success!

Application date: 31/01/23
Docs posted: 24/02/23 (Royal Mail then lost my letter in Heathrow for a month/postal strike)
Docs received: 29/03/23
Address check: 14/11/23
Congratulations: 04/12/23
Certificate: TBA

[jgclancy]

Success!

Application date: 31/01/23
Docs posted: 24/02/23 (Royal Mail then lost my letter in Heathrow for a month/postal strike)
Docs received: 29/03/23
Address check: 14/11/23
Congratulations: 04/12/23
Certificate: TBA

Congrats!...cracking a beer for you now!
Remember to make a few copies when it arrives in the mail.
Jgclancy

[wiivile]

I had a similar issue - called the hotline and they confirmed that it's fine to have a new witness!

Hi everyone, the witness (notary) for my irish parent's ID is different than the witness for my ID, photos, and FBR application. Is this a problem?

Thank you!!!

Yeah, they can't require the same witness for different people's documents... the different people could live in different countries. I used a different witness for my application form/photos/ID than I did to certify the copy of my dad's ID because my dad lives thousands of miles away.

[MrWpbs]

Hi everyone

I have been following this thread closely as I submitted my documents in January of this year and they were received in February. I am in the position of being estranged from my Irish side of the family so although I was able to obtain birth certificates, I haven't been able to get copies of state issued identification. Last week the foreign birth register office emailed me to request these documents (despite putting a cover letter in explaining the situation). I have reiterated via email that I am not able to provide the status issued ID, however I am happy to send in a notarised affidavit. I have had the below response:

"You will need to submit the notarised affidavit with an explanation of the situation regarding being estranged from that side of the family. Your application will be reviewed by management when the notarised affidavit has been submitted.

Kind Regards"

My question is, for those who have been in the same situation, how did you word the document that you got notarized? I have a draft already written but I want to make sure that it is worded correctly so that it is accepted by FBR.

Many thanks for this great resource.

[Mr_Knight]

Hi everyone
I have been following this thread closely as I submitted my documents in January of this year and they were received in February. I am in the position of being estranged from my Irish side of the family so although I was able to obtain birth certificates, I haven't been able to get copies of state issued identification. Last week the foreign birth register office emailed me to request these documents (despite putting a cover letter in explaining the situation). I have reiterated via email that I am not able to provide the status issued ID, however I am happy to send in a notarised affidavit. I have had the below response:

"You will need to submit the notarised affidavit with an explanation of the situation regarding being estranged from that side of the family. Your application will be reviewed by management when the notarised affidavit has been submitted.
Kind Regards"
My question is, for those who have been in the same situation, how did you word the document that you got notarized? I have a draft already written but I want to make sure that it is worded correctly so that it is accepted by FBR.
Many thanks for this great resource.

A frustrating position to be in I know. I had all birth marriage and death certificate for my Irish grandparent & birth/marriage for my estranged parent but no ID. My affidavit was as follows.

AFFIDAVIT OF PARENTAL ESTRANGEMENT

I am (me) of (address).
I am the son of (so & so) (born birth certificate name/date).
I have been irreconcilably estranged from my (parent) (so and so) and her family for a number of years. As a result, I am not able to get a copy of her Passport or Photo ID.

I understand that providing false or incomplete information is punishable by law. By signing below, I affirm that the information is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

AFFIANT DATE
NOTARY PUBLIC DATE

[MrWpbs]

Hi everyone
I have been following this thread closely as I submitted my documents in January of this year and they were received in February. I am in the position of being estranged from my Irish side of the family so although I was able to obtain birth certificates, I haven't been able to get copies of state issued identification. Last week the foreign birth register office emailed me to request these documents (despite putting a cover letter in explaining the situation). I have reiterated via email that I am not able to provide the status issued ID, however I am happy to send in a notarised affidavit. I have had the below response:

"You will need to submit the notarised affidavit with an explanation of the situation regarding being estranged from that side of the family. Your application will be reviewed by management when the notarised affidavit has been submitted.
Kind Regards"
My question is, for those who have been in the same situation, how did you word the document that you got notarized? I have a draft already written but I want to make sure that it is worded correctly so that it is accepted by FBR.
Many thanks for this great resource.

A frustrating position to be in I know. I had all birth marriage and death certificate for my Irish grandparent & birth/marriage for my estranged parent but no ID. My affidavit was as follows.

AFFIDAVIT OF PARENTAL ESTRANGEMENT

I am (me) of (address).
I am the son of (so & so) (born birth certificate name/date).
I have been irreconcilably estranged from my (parent) (so and so) and her family for a number of years. As a result, I am not able to get a copy of her Passport or Photo ID.

I understand that providing false or incomplete information is punishable by law. By signing below, I affirm that the information is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

AFFIANT DATE
NOTARY PUBLIC DATE

Perfect, thankyou. We're you granted entry onto the FBR with it worded like that?

Sadly it is what it is. I knew this might be difficult as I am estranged from that side of the family. I'm just grateful that there is a workaround of sorts even if it isn't the most ideal situation.

[Mr_Knight]

Perfect, thankyou. We're you granted entry onto the FBR with it worded like that?

Sadly it is what it is. I knew this might be difficult as I am estranged from that side of the family. I'm just grateful that there is a workaround of sorts even if it isn't the most ideal situation.

Yes, within 3 days of them recieving the affidavit I was added to the FBR but they didnt email until about a month later when they were ready to send the certificate. The temptation with the affidavit is to add too much back story etc but being concise and to the point seems to work best.