Foreign Birth Registration?

[Berlingo]

Hey Kev920
I hope you get it soon! I hope I get mine soon! I’m at the 6 month mark this week and while I read here some people get theirs earlier, most take 6-7 months. It seems it just comes one day out of the blue in the post!
Do people have tips on how to bide the time?

[PMB123]

Hello everybody,

This thread has been of great interest to me over the last few months - I thought I'd share my timeline for Irish FBR Registration.

Applied for Irish citizenship through deceased grandfather.

1st December 2017: Application filed online/fees paid
2nd December 2017: Email confirmation of receipt of documents (in London).
9th April 2018: Received email from DFAT Dublin, requesting stamped/letterhead document by witness and copy of my marriage certificate (I had sent divorce certificate originally)
5th May 2018: Sent above documents as requested to DFAT in Dublin.
10th May 2018: Emailed DFAT contact, received reply that docs received and application "has gone forward for approval"
30th May 2018: Emailed Foreign.LONDON@dfa.ie to see if there was any update ...
30th May 2018: Received reply saying "Your FBR application has been approved. We are now awaiting it to arrive from Dublin for dispatch"

So I haven't got the actual FBR document yet, but I do have confirmation that it's been approved . As you can see, the process was just short of the stated 6 months, even with a delay of about 4 weeks for me to send back the requested documents.

All the best to those still waiting.

[Lynn11]

Wow I'm starting to get pretty frustrated at this point after seeing many posters who sent theirs weeks after me, some even had additional documents or corrections requested, and STILL got theirs before me (and other posters here). The lack of consistency is confounding! Here is my timeline so far:

Paid the fee online: December 30th 2017 (I'm in New York so sent straight to Dublin)
Documents received in Ireland (email confirmation from DFAT.ie): January 8th 2018

I was getting a bit anxious and decided to give a call in March just to see if I could get more info. I called the number and spoke to a nice gentleman who told me "your application was sent for Final Approval on February 19th - this would indicate there wasn't anything wrong with your application, no additional documents or clarification needed, and that it will take about 10 weeks from that date to receive documents back and approved"

Well it's now been just about 5 months since the initial receipt of documents and coming up on 15 weeks since my supposed "sent for approval" date of February 19th. I am just frustrated - anyway, I know none of us have control over it, and congrats to those of you who have been entered, and fingers crossed for the rest of us still waiting.........

[cmd12993]

Hi All,

Just received my FBR certificate yesterday and wanted to post my timeline as this thread was very helpful to me during the process. I applied via my paternal grandfather, born in Donegal. Submitted from Boston USA and the only communication I had was the confirmation of payment email.

Submitted online payment: December 9, 2017
Sent application off to Dublin: January 12, 2018
Date of entry to FBR: May 8, 2018
Date of official letter: May 23, 2018

The packet actually arrived on May 29, 2018 but since no one was home to sign for it I had to pick it up from the post office on May 30, 2018.

Some other details: the middle initial of my grandfather was wrong on his marriage certificate, which didn't seem to be an issue. Also since I don't have many bills under my name I ended up sending a photocopy of my license as the third proof of residence, which also wasn't an issue.

Looks like it took about 4 & 1/2 months from the time it was sent off to Dublin. Good luck to everyone else and I hope you hear back soon!

[caferacer]

Hi All, Anyone been to Liverpool PP express?, im booked for a bus for Monday,all Docs Cert etc was greatfully returned today,6 months for me.... I dont want to find a witness etc here, then go, so i will find one in Liverpool, so not to waste any time...anyone know of any Solicitors near to the PP express Post Office?

[CR001]

Hi All, Anyone been to Liverpool PP express?, im booked for a bus for Monday,all Docs Cert etc was greatfully returned today,6 months for me.... I dont want to find a witness etc here, then go, so i will find one in Liverpool, so not to waste any time...anyone know of any Solicitors near to the PP express Post Office?

Members are not permitted to name or state solicitor details or information on the forum.

[caferacer]

Whats the point having a Forum then???

[caferacer]

JimBuck What street was the Solicitor on?, the forum wont let you name it unfortunately

jimbucktoo
I was a first time applicant, last year; and applied via the Liverpool office. They do not send off your UK passport---instead they take a photocopy of it and certify that it was indeed you who presented it. Another thing (which caught me out) is that the photos required for an Irish passport differ in size from the UK standard. The bloke at the counter was helpful, in that he directed me to a nearby Staples were I could ask for Irish sized photos. But also, I had to have the photos certified by a solicitor (again, office was walking distance)---which cost me £15. So, my advice, to save money and stress, is get the proper sized photos beforehand.
[/quote]

[CR001]

Whats the point having a Forum then???

Due to the forum being liable for a libel suit as was experienced a number of years ago!!! Company names on the forum end up on a google search!!

[caferacer]

Quick PP PHoto Question, what needs to be on the photo...and what happens if the witness stamp is too big for the photo?...any help appreciated...all solicitors in Liverpool , via the phone, say cannot witness as haven't known for 2 years, I explained that its an Irish PP, not UK...but they all still didnt want to do it...

[caferacer]

Update, one said he would do it for 80 quid plus vat...i was expecting 25 /30..but 97???

[PasadenaTom]

Quick PP PHoto Question, what needs to be on the photo...and what happens if the witness stamp is too big for the photo?...any help appreciated...all solicitors in Liverpool , via the phone, say cannot witness as haven't known for 2 years, I explained that its an Irish PP, not UK...but they all still didnt want to do it...

I will preface this by stating that my application has not yet been approved. My application was completed and documents received in Dublin on 16/4/18.

The witness stamp or business card should be on the application form. But as I understand it, the witness is only expected to sign and date (not stamp) the back of the photos. So I would think that as long as the signatures on the photos match the signature on the application form, there would be no question.

Hopefully, someone who has recently been approved can comment (thought I suspect once people get approved, they don't often return to this forum).

[Lynn11]

IT FINALLY HAPPENED! I GOT MY CERTIFICATE! I'M OFFICIALLY IRISH! Reposting my timeline below:

Paid online: December 30th, 2017
Docs received in Dublin: January 8th, 2018 (sent from New York)
Called in March and spoke with someone who told my my application was submit for final approval February 19, 2018 and it would take about 10 weeks after that (turned out to not be quite true)
FRB received via registered post today, June 4, 2018
Certificate dated May 24, 2018
Cover letter dated May 29, 2018

No emails, no requests for additional information - my application was pretty straight forward, applied through my grandma (but my grandpa was also Irish born). One thing to note: I had ordered "certified copies" of the marriage certificates and was really anxious it was not going to be enough - apparently there is also a "Long form" marriage certificate but I was unauthorized to order for my grandparents (some New York Health Department rules) but got the shorter forms from the counties where my parents and grandparents were married. Apparently it did not make a difference (but to note, Long Form birth certificates seem to be the necessity, though and the county also has a short form, something that held me up when I wanted to apply earlier and realized I needed the "long form" birth certificates.

Anyway, I am thrilled! and Thank you to everyone on this board who has posted information. It really does seem to be case by case - some people get them quick, some take longer, some have to submit extra docs and seems like their clock resets, some get issued immediately after providing the extra info.... good luck to everyone, no off to get my passport and hope that doesn't take too long

[PasadenaTom]

IT FINALLY HAPPENED! I GOT MY CERTIFICATE! I'M OFFICIALLY IRISH!

Congratulations!

And thanks for the status update. As I am sure you will agree, it helps those of us who are still in the long period of waiting. Nice to know that (at least for now) the approval processing time is not getting longer.

[IrishGem]

Hi All,

On 2nd of May 2018, I became an Irish Citizen and I'm so pleased to be one. It is like having a second birthday. Here is my timeline:

• Completed FB1A online form and made payment: 8 Nov 2017
• Posted my application and supporting docs to my Sister: 22 Nov 2017
• Sister sent both applications, all supporting docs and a cover letter to the Irish Embassy in London in the same envelope (we both live in the UK but in different cities): 30 Nov 2017
  We receive emails confirming receipt of our applications and supporting docs from noreply@dfat.ie: 1 Dec 2017
• Both our FBR certificates are dated: 2 May 2018
• Confirmation of Irish Citizenship letter dated: 8 May 2018
• I receive a brown, A4, "do not bend" envelope (sent special delivery before 1pm, with Embassy of Ireland in London as the return address) containing my FBR cert, confirmation letter, my original supporting documents, our original supporting documents in common and an APS2E passport application form: 22 May 2018

That was 25 weeks in total, so five months and three weeks. You could probably say 24 weeks is the current processing time for applications from the UK, given this included Christmas week.

I had no further communication with DFAT or the Embassy of Ireland since they confirmed receipt of our applications and supporting documents; no request for additional documentation, no email to say I am about to receive my FBR and I did not contact them for a progress report.

Thanks to everyone on here who has helped. This has been an invaluable resource and comfort throughout the process.

Best wishes,
Gem

[IrishGem]

I should say, my Sister received her FBR cert etc. at her address on the same day.

[caferacer]

Spent Monday in Liverpool after getting everything back, FBR etc and PP application form on Friday 01/06...all went well, the PP PO express folks was very helpful, and went though everything very thoroughly,and then after they were satisfied i had everything in order, gave me a contact for a local solicitor, as, i risked it to just GO after reading other posts,that others had to re do some stuff and how the PP express folks helped them..brilliant and helpful service all round, to get all witnessed n signed...then back to the PO folks again, pay, final check and bag up, n send...just have to wait again now, but not so long!

[EireAislynn]

I have been keeping track of some of the timelines I've been seeing here, and if things are still following closely to them, I think I might have my registration complete and in hand by my birthday next month. But I was wondering if anyone had received any email correspondence from the registry office prior to receiving their paperwork. I had received an email from someone May 8 because my mailing address and my physical address were different. He was inquiring which address to send everything back to. I suspect this was the beginning of processing my package. No additional information or documents were requested. I did my best to make sure everything was perfect before I sent it off in March.

Has anyone had this sort of correspondence and received their completed registration soon after?

Received in Dublin March 5
Email May 8

[PasadenaTom]

Has anyone had this sort of correspondence and received their completed registration soon after?

I suspect that once someone who participates on this forum has received their registration, they probably don't come back to answer questions. I do think most of us will return to complete our timelines, to help those who are still waiting.

This is only educated speculation, based on other posts. But if all they are requesting is clarification on where to return your documents, you are likely in or near the 10 week final approval stage that another poster mentioned. But is someone getting your application package ready prior to sending it to final approval? Or is a person working on the final approval stage getting ready to return your approved package? For your sake, I hope the latter. Good luck and speedy approvals for all of us!

[pixie1230]

Hello Just to help a few. This is our timeline of application. (applied for my daughter)
I am naturalised irish and husband is irish by descent.

Application sent: November 2017
Needs more additional documents: End of January 2018
Sent additional documents: March 2018
And was told that this may take 2-3 more months.
Fbr Printed: May 04, 2018
Fbr receive in the post: May 24, 2018

Hopefully this will help u all.
Mine took 6 months but I have some documents that took time to get from our home country.

[canada1005]

Timeline Update

8th February 2018 Application and documents sent (London embassy)

13th February 2018 = Confirmation that documents have been received (London embassy)

5th June 2018 = Email from FBR. "This application was recently sent to Dublin where it is here at an advanced stage of processing. Please be aware that FBR applications take approximately six months to process. If an examining officer requires any further clarification from you they will be in touch".

23rd July 2018 = Due date for son/daughter (Hopefully I can pass on Irish citizenship to my child.

[caferacer]

Good Luck!!!, i realise folk get inpatient, but they really are good and considerate during this whole process, from FBR to PP...ive panicked several times, but, they work within their timelines, and ive found keep you informed, as ive just had with the PP office, another panic of mine, reassured as best as they can..im well impressed to be honest..

[Drivera6892]

Hey guys!

I just submitted all the paperwork for me and my sister. I was wondering, I forgot to make a photocopy of the original documents. Will this delay the process? or will they just make the copies? lol

Thanks!

[PasadenaTom]

I just submitted all the paperwork for me and my sister. I was wondering, I forgot to make a photocopy of the original documents. Will this delay the process? or will they just make the copies? lol

Their website says If you haven’t included all the requested documents, your application may be returned to you.

Is a missing photocopy the same as a missing document, since you did provide the original? I don't know how they would view that. If they are considered missing documents, that would certainly seem likely to cause a delay, given the time it would take for your documents to travel the U.S. and back to Dublin.

Will they make copies? I have no idea. But since we know they have a backlog of applications and that it typically takes up to 6 months to process one, I would assume we are asked to provide photocopies because it saves them time. So I would not be surprised if someone is at least a bit annoyed. But do they make occasional exceptions and make copies themselves, or if this is an inviolable rule?

You might want to call or send them an email, pleading for mercy - or at least to nicely ask if there is any way to make things right. I get the impression that email responses are not immediate. But it's probably better to let them know you acknowledge your mistake. It may or may not not help. But it can't hurt.

[Lynn11]

Drivera6892 just to let you know, I submit my application from the US (New York) and did not make copies - I just received my FRB a few weeks ago with no requests for additional information but it couldn't hurt to call just to make sure. As I noted before in my timeline, the process was just about 5 months for me, straight forward, no problems.

I went into the NYC Consulate yesterday to apply for my passport - they made copies of my original documents (FRB, birth cert, proofs of name/address) and already contacted my witness today - apparently they called him to verify he witnessed my application yesterday (luckily he's an attorney/colleague of mine so he texted me to let me know it happened). They gave me a timeline of 8-10 weeks