Foreign Birth Registration?

[Michael123]

That is perfectly fine. I am sure there are other things that we may not have in common as well. Regardless, Shall we ever meet, Ill buy the first round of drinks..mostly due to the fact that I don’t normally drink and I prob wont be having a 2nd.. lol

[Michael123]

.... and, if you see me cleaning the toilet before I drink, that is only because I will more than likely have my face in it later..

[Laurie9434]

^^^^^^^^ AMEN!!! ^^^^^^^^^^


Laurie, I am anxiously awaiting your email as well, I am about a week behind you (Aug 21) and Liam is a day behind me (Aug 22).

In addition, may St Anthony find Sulla’s certificate!! Seems like we need all the saints to help us with this!!

Hi Michael!
I will pass on any info I receive. Maybe, I’ll get some from the agency I used. And yes! “St Anthony, St Anthony please come around, Sulla’s certificate is lost and needs to be found”. St. Anthony has found a couple dozen things for my family... including a contact lens in a field of grass, so fingers crossed!!

Where are you located? I am in Boston,MA USA

I’m in Las Vegas, NV!

[Michael123]

... what happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas. Las Vegas, go on vacation and leave on probation!

[cindyd13]

Sent FBR paperwork for my sons from US to Dublin and received email that it was received on June 14, 2018.

Phoned today, and was told that it was still in the queue for review.

UGH.

[Michael123]

Sent FBR paperwork for my sons from US to Dublin and received email that it was received on June 14, 2018.

Phoned today, and was told that it was still in the queue for review.

UGH.

Someone just called last week and was told they are working on July applications.. two others having applications recieved on Aug 2, have been approved, got the certificates and are in the passport process.. wtf is going on over there. I think it might be time for another call, and one that is not going to be nice.

[spiderplants]

And passports will take priority over FBR.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/ ... cord-level

[Sulla]

I called the embassy yesterday. My FBR certificate is not in China yet. It is still either in Dublin awaiting postage or already on the way. I should know more on Thursday afternoon, as I now know that they only receive mail from Dublin, via some form of diplomatic courier system, once a week. Last week there were no FBR certificates, just several passports. In addition, I was told that FBR applications in China are "through the roof" now. Apparently, 2018 witnessed 20 total applications, whereas 2019 thus far has already seen 50. I tried to sound suitably concerned with this shocking total and silently wondered how they would cope with an application avalanche such as London has faced.

Michael

You are a courageous soul. Each time you call, the forecast time of receipt edges further away. Actually, I think that the people that you talk to on the phone are mere ciphers. They are largely devoid of any specific knowledge of what is going on with the applications and probably just come up with some random estimate to make people go away.

Cindy

Yours is the first case of U.S. direct to Dublin application being this seriously delayed that I am aware of. Previously, I thought that the problems started sometime in mid August. It is really inconsistent that Sean and Spav sailed through having applied at the start of August and you are still languishing in the approval queue. Clearly, there are enormous questions of fairness here in terms of the sequencing of application review.

[Barry0131]

Hi everyone,

I am about to apply for my FBR through my grandfather. My sister is doing it and wants me to do a combined application with her. She has alrready paid for all the documents so i figure why not? Before i apply though I am wondering if getting Irish citizenship has any effects that i have not thought about. I mean like tax filing or any kind or civil or military service.

It would be a bummer to find out about this later so i want to ask if anyone has any info on this stuff.

Also are there any benefits of being Irish? I know I can work and travel in Europe but I mean more about pension, healthcare etc. I am young so i won't be taking advatange anytime soon! However its good to know
.
Any info much appreciated.

[Michael123]

Hi everyone,

I am about to apply for my FBR through my grandfather. My sister is doing it and wants me to do a combined application with her. She has alrready paid for all the documents so i figure why not? Before i apply though I am wondering if getting Irish citizenship has any effects that i have not thought about. I mean like tax filing or any kind or civil or military service.

It would be a bummer to find out about this later so i want to ask if anyone has any info on this stuff.

Also are there any benefits of being Irish? I know I can work and travel in Europe but I mean more about pension, healthcare etc. I am young so i won't be taking advatange anytime soon! However its good to know
.
Any info much appreciated.

It is all in what it means to you, heritage? Being able to pass the citizenship down to you children (assuming you do not have any now).

[Sulla]

Barry

I will do my best to answer your points based on my knowledge and experience. I did look into quite a lot of aspects prior to my own FBR application. However, I am not a professional lawyer or tax adviser. If you have a complex situation related to tax or benefit entitlement, you would be wise to seek professional advice.

1) Mandatory Military / Civilian service. Ireland does not and never has had this. You need to worry about this in Israel and Turkey but certainly not the emerald isle.

2) Tax liability / Filing requirements. Ireland does not operate a citizenship based taxation system. It is residence based as in most nations. Anyone who spends 183 days in a tax year in Ireland or 240 days spread over 2 consecutive years will be designated as tax resident in Ireland and thus liable for tax assessment on their worldwide income. The Irish tax year runs from Jan 1st to Dec 31st. If this does not apply to you then you will owe no Irish taxes on non Irish income and there are no filing requirements I am aware of.

One caveat is that for non-residents with Irish domicile, who have worldwide income of over 1 million Euro in a tax year and own Irish property with a value of Euro 5 million or more. They will be subject to a Domicile levy of Euro 200K. Don't have Irish domicile or put too much capital to work in Ireland would be my suggestion there. Citizenship is irrelevant to this.

In general, taxes in Ireland are high. If you can possibly avoid it, don't become tax resident. Non tax residents will only pay Irish tax on their Income derived from employment or gains on assets in Ireland- such as rental property. For instance, I have 2 apartments in Dublin that I rent out. The tenants (odd I know) have the obligation to withhold 20% of the rent and pay to the revenue. They also have to file the requisite paperwork known as an R185. There are some deductibles though that can reduce this 20%. Therefore, it's not a major hassle for a non resident owner.

3) Benefit entitlements. Ireland has a contributory pension system, much like the UK, but more generous. You need to make 10 years of contributions to qualify for pension entitlement. The pension is not means tested and can be drawn anywhere in the world. The current maximum is Euro 243 per week. You will not be able to get this without working in Ireland. Alternatively there is a non-contributory pension available too. However, this is means tested and limited to people actually resident in Ireland. If you have total assets of less than Euro 20K and income of under Euro 200 per week then you will qualify. The rate for that is Euro 232 weekly. Both pensions commence from age 66 - obviously this age may increase in the future.

For healthcare, the Irish system is comprehensive and free at the point of delivery. It is limited to people who have been resident in Ireland for one full year or who can satisfy the authorities of their intention to remain in Ireland for a period of one year or more.

Irish residents who are unemployed can claim jobseekers allowance. From what I know, this goes on indefinitely. You must be resident in Ireland, aged 18-66 and pass the means test to qualify. Moreover, you have to show evidence of actively seeking work.

There are a cornucopia of other benefits available too, including housing and child benefit. The vast majority of these hinge on fulfilling the habitual residence test which aims at showing you are permanently settled in Ireland.

I hope this is helpful and answers the questions you posed. One point that is worthy of note is that the state of Irish government finances are perilous and not on a healthy trajectory. Remember the PIIGS from 2010? That story did not go away, it's still brewing. Italy gets all the focus nowadays with Ireland largely ignored due to the size of the economy. However, there is still plenty of cause for concern. In the absence of mass immigration (currently underway) to boost the demographic base, Ireland may well have to curtail some of these benefits in the future. More alarming for me would be an increase in taxation or any move to switch to a citizenship based taxation system such as that implemented in the United States.

[Jaxx22]

Sent FBR paperwork for my sons from US to Dublin and received email that it was received on June 14, 2018.

Phoned today, and was told that it was still in the queue for review.

UGH.

This just proves how random it all is as Micheal said, someone called and was told they are processing later applications.

I still have not had any email saying that they have received my documents/application

[kkjak]

Hi All
I am Living in Dublin and I submit my Daughter application on 25th September 2018( foreign birth certificate)
Received the Online confirmation on 27th September 2018, that saying they have received the Document and it's would take up to 5-6 months?
Do you have any experience how long it's take ? Should I called them,
Any help will be much appreciated
Have a good day

[Michael123]

Hi All
I am Living in Dublin and I submit my Daughter application on 25th September 2018( foreign birth certificate)
Received the Online confirmation on 27th September 2018, that saying they have received the Document and it's would take up to 5-6 months?
Do you have any experience how long it's take ? Should I called them,
Any help will be much appreciated
Have a good day

As we Americans say “Good luck with that”. I am at 7 Months tomorrow, I was told upon my last call that it would be 12-13 months, before that 10 months and yes, I was also originally told “up to 6 months.” Some have recieved the “congratulations” email and have been waiting for the delivery of the certificate for over 2 months.

[cindyd13]

Sent FBR paperwork for my sons from US to Dublin and received email that it was received on June 14, 2018.

Phoned today, and was told that it was still in the queue for review.

UGH.

Someone just called last week and was told they are working on July applications.. two others having applications recieved on Aug 2, have been approved, got the certificates and are in the passport process.. wtf is going on over there. I think it might be time for another call, and one that is not going to be nice.

So frustrating! it'is crazy!

[cindyd13]

I called the embassy yesterday. My FBR certificate is not in China yet. It is still either in Dublin awaiting postage or already on the way. I should know more on Thursday afternoon, as I now know that they only receive mail from Dublin, via some form of diplomatic courier system, once a week. Last week there were no FBR certificates, just several passports. In addition, I was told that FBR applications in China are "through the roof" now. Apparently, 2018 witnessed 20 total applications, whereas 2019 thus far has already seen 50. I tried to sound suitably concerned with this shocking total and silently wondered how they would cope with an application avalanche such as London has faced.

Michael

You are a courageous soul. Each time you call, the forecast time of receipt edges further away. Actually, I think that the people that you talk to on the phone are mere ciphers. They are largely devoid of any specific knowledge of what is going on with the applications and probably just come up with some random estimate to make people go away.

Cindy

Yours is the first case of U.S. direct to Dublin application being this seriously delayed that I am aware of. Previously, I thought that the problems started sometime in mid August. It is really inconsistent that Sean and Spav sailed through having applied at the start of August and you are still languishing in the approval queue. Clearly, there are enormous questions of fairness here in terms of the sequencing of application review.

agreed!! you would think it would be first in/first out. I'm very frustrated. and husband and I are moving over in May, I've now had to reorder birth and marriage certificates as Dublin has my originals with my son's application.

[Michael123]

I didn’t bother to call. I would have been leas than nice and then I would be told that my application would be approved in 2025 and then accidentally “lost”. Plus it would have put me in a bad mood all day.. easier to let it go.

During a webchat when it was avail to FBR applicants, I asked if they were processed in order recieved, I was told “strickly in order recieved” so at that point I know it was all BS.

[Sulla]

Kkjak

Your daughter's FBR certificate is likely to take a long while from now to actually materialize. Initially, you should receive an email indicating that she has been added to the register. Subsequent to that, there is a printing and postage phase - which in my case has now lasted 2 months 11 days. Don't wait by the mailbox in anticipation of this thing arriving soon would be my advice.

Michael

"During a webchat when it was avail to FBR applicants, I asked if they were processed in order received, I was told “strictly in order received” so at that point I know it was all BS."

Yeah, pretty much. There is no way they are processing in the order received - not even loosely. Probably, for the best that you did not call. It's not as if they are going to impart anything meaningful to you that you can actually rely on.

[Richard74]

Hello all

Chronic lurker, for the past month or so (when I first found this board via Google, it was on page 62...!), finally thought best chip in my story and timeline.

* Application submitted in person to Edinburgh Consulate: 31-Jul-18
* Additional documentation submitted via post to Edinburgh Consulate: 02-Aug-18
* Email confirming receipt in "Dublin" (/Balbriggan?) and "priority processing"; request for additional documentation (clerk at consulate had advised me that copies notarised by her were sufficient, which I was sceptical of... sure enough, they weren't!): 27-Nov-18
* Further supporting documentation submitted via post to Balbriggan: 28-Nov-18
* Email acknowledgement of documents received, "submitted to supervisor for approval": 04-Dec-18
* Entered onto FBR (unbeknownst to me): 12-Dec-18
* Email request submitted for progress update: 15-Jan-19
* Email reply received confirming FBR entry / "you are an Irish citizen as of 12-Dec-18": 17-Jan-19
* Email request submitted for update on return of certificate and documentation: 30-Jan-18
* Email reply received: "Our system indicates that the documents have yet to be dispatched to you. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a definite date for dispatch at present.": 31-Jan-19

Since then... nothing.

Finally phoned up on 26-Feb-19. Very rushed and nervous call handler, seemingly couldn't wait to get me off the line. After going around in circles for several minutes, finally got out of them that no certificates had been printed since DECEMBER!! Advised that test new certificates had finally arrived the previous day (Mon 25-Feb-19). Advised that my certificate would be printed and dispatched to me "any day now" (or words to similar effect). Again... since then, nothing.

Sulla

As such, I have been interested to read your recent story - sounds like you and I are in a similar boat. I am now at 3+ months from point of entry onto the Register, and still awaiting certificate and return of my documents. Is this a record for this board??

Given some recent good news stories, such as xxx

and xxxxx

...I would like to think that there is some hope for optimism. Xxxx's timeline in particular gave me hope, given his timings appeared to be similar to mine... right up until this point of certificate printing.

But equally, given both of our experiences, I'm not holding my breath.

[Richard74]

*post edit not working, grrr, apologies for forum newbie mistake.

The positive news for me being that people are being advised this month (March) that:

Apparently the certificate (and return of documents) will take another 2-3 weeks.

They advised in the email that the certificate delivery would take 2-3 weeks

What the actual reality is, however...? As Michael123 rightly asks, how many certificates have been received this month?

Equally, james_mcfc's and sean015's timelines, which I had up til this point been using as a benchmarks and source of optimism, as our timings were similar, are now becoming somewhat deflating/exasperating.

17/07/2018 Application submitted online (No. ***424)
25/07/2018 Documents received by London Embassy
16/11/2018 Response received to my email to the FBR team stating application had been put forward for approval
27/11/2018 Application approved and entered into FBR
22/01/2019 FBR certificate received with returned supporting documents.

I actually physically received my FBR certificate in early January but I was entered in the FBR in mid December.

Where our initial applications were less than a week apart, and entry onto Register approx 2 weeks apart, am now coming up for 2 months in arrears in terms of certificate receipt - where passports are now been received, before I have received my certificate...

As you say, either there is very little consistency in the processing order of applications, or there is a massive (2-3 month) gap has appeared in certificate dispatch/receipt, between entrants onto the register separated by just a few days during December.

...or both!

[Sulla]

Richard

Thanks for the illuminating contribution. Clearly our cases are very similar. However, I have been told in February that my certificate had been printed in Dublin. That is one area of inconsistency. Of course, there is no knowing which version of events is more accurate. On balance, I lean towards yours being more credible and me being told something that would hopefully appease me . The reason for this is the lack of receipt. If the certificates had really been printed in February, why would they not have been delivered now?

A likely reason why the person you spoke to was nervous is that the delay has been caused by something that has gone wrong within the DFA. It's pretty inconceivable that they intended to stop printing certificates for so long. Therefore, it is likely mistakes were made. The problem with that is simply that applicants usually have no right of claim against organisations like the passport office for exceeding indicated time guidelines - unless delays resulted from negligence. In other words, if the delays (exceeding guidance) are caused by masses of applications then they don't have to compensate applicants. However, if delays flow from the improper actions or inaction of the organisation and were thus within its control, then they are liable.

If the printing apparatus is now up and running (which it clearly is due to Brawn's post) then things should be resolved soon. I am hoping for some good news this afternoon. That said, I have been in hope mode for quite some time now.

It looks like Sean was the last person to make the cut before the cessation of certificate printing kicked in. It makes me wish I had of submitted my application just a few weeks earlier. My citizenship agent cost me several weeks of delay due to ordering and then re-ordering certificates in the slowest possible fashion.

Anyway, I hope you receive your FBR certificate soon. Please follow up with more posts if you receive it or any other updates. Of course, I will do the same.

[Jaxx22]

Probably best you didn't call Micheal, you would have only been more frustrated by the lack of information.

So looking at the timelines, it seems to me that it takes 4 months to just get anything to say that documents have been received and then the process starts taking at least 6 months - so that in itself takes it to 10. So another 2 months for me to get the first phase!

What I don't get is why it takes so long to return the documents, if they have added people to the register then what possible reason is there for them to keep hold of people's documents for any longer?

There are many reasons why their system fails.

To add to my journey I have possibly found a new property, trouble is that I don't want to put a spanner in the works by moving to a new address but I also don't want to let the property go because of the FBR application and the fact they seem so unequipped.

[nydccub]

Greetings everyone! I’m a longtime lurker, first time poster. I’ve followed this thread for many months and decided it’s time to provide my statistics. I applied to the FBR through my Irish-born paternal grandmother. Since several of the relevant certificates were held by New York City and NOT New York State, there were a couple of other documents I had to obtain before I could get Apostille for NYC records, which I’ve detailed in parenthesis. I applied online and paid on August 23, 2018 and sent everything by regular old USPS airmail (no tracking!) on August 24, 2018, and received email confirmation of DFA’s receipt on August 31, 2018.

I called DFA today…I was on hold for only a couple of minutes!…and the person I spoke to said Balbriggan is currently reviewing applications received in July 2018. (I know, I know…take that with a grain of salt!). Despite all of the delays, I’m cautiously optimistic. As an applicant, it’s frustrating, but I ALSO know that the vast majority of civil servants and contracted government workers everywhere do the best they can under crippling workloads with not-so-great resources and budgets.
To even be eligible for citizenship to a country I’ve never visited 115 years after the birth of the relative through which I am applying…it’s incredible!
I’ll post if and when I hear anything. Good luck everybody!


Vital Records for Irish-born Grandmother:

-Certified long form Irish birth certificate (with Letter of Authentication from the Office of the Registrar General).
-Certified long form NY State marriage certificate (with Exemplification of Marriage Record letter from the NYC Dept. of Records and Information Services, NY County (Manhattan) Court certification, and NY State Apostille).
-Certified NY State death certificate (with NY State Apostille).


Vital Records for American-born Father:

-Certified long form NYC birth certificate (with Exemplification of Birth Record letter from the NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, NY County (Manhattan) Court certification, and NY State Apostille).
-Certified long form NYC Certificate of Marriage Registration (with the official seal of the Acting City Clerk, NY County (Manhattan) Court certification, and NY State Apostille).
-Certified Death Certificate (with Apostille).


Vital Records and Supporting Documentation for American-born me:

-Certified long form NY State birth certificate (with county court certification and NY State Apostille).
-Certified Marriage Certificate (with Apostille).
-Notarized copy of American passport.
-2 Irish-sized passport photographs signed and dated by me and my witness (medical doctor…at the time this was a permissible witness, as listed on my application).
-My witness’ business card.
-3 proofs of address (phone bill, student loan summary page, EZ Pass quarterly statement). My printed application is vague and says (utility bills, bank statements, etc.) are acceptable.

[Court2]

DFA not printing any certificates since the move to new offices is more than likely the cause of the ongoing delays.

Simply shocking to be quite honest, long given up trying to contact them for their random generic replies.

Prioritising passports also seems illogical given FBR costs more and represents a much more long-term and continued income source as most successful FBR applicants no doubt go for passports shortly afterwards.

[edwards02]

Hello everyone!

I have been following this thread for a number of months now since submitting my FBR Irish Citizenship application on the 1st of October 2018. I submitted my application along with all the required documents in person to the Edinburgh embassy where it was checked by a member of staff who told me I would not hear anything until I received my certificate of citizenship. Today (Thursday 21st March 2019) almost 6 months after submitting my application I received an email from the DFA stating that my "application and supporting documentation has now been received" and that applications can take "up to 6 months to process". As with many other people on this thread I am very frustrated that it has taken so long just for my application to be received and to be quite honest I don't understand why. I am aware that there is a very long wait time but surely not to be received? I had expected my application to at least be in the process of getting approved but to find out it has only just arrived with the DFA, I am very disappointed.
I wondered if there was anyone else who submitted their application in person to the Edinburgh embassy who has experienced the same thing?