How to Become an Irish Citizen as an American

A Guide to Obtaining Irish Citizenship

Do you want to be a citizen of Ireland?

Then, this guide is for you! As an American, there are different ways to do so. For example, if you have an Irish-born parent or grandparent, you may be eligible for Irish citizenship by descent. If you live in Ireland for a certain time period or are married to an Irish citizen, you can become an Irish citizen by naturalization.

Keep in mind that these methods are for adults (18 years old and over) looking to obtain Irish citizenship. For information on applying on behalf of a minor, look here.

Irish Citizenship by Descent

Irish descent or association means that you are related by blood or adoption to an Irish citizen. So, if you were born outside of Ireland but have an Irish-born parent or grandparent, you may be eligible for Irish citizenship by descent. To claim it, you will need to register your birth in the Foreign Births Register. To prove your Irish lineage, you'll need to gather documentation such as birth certificates, death certificates and marriage certificates. You can find more information and application forms on the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website.

If you are considering making an application based on Irish descent or association, you should note the following:

You should have a reasonable period of legal residence in Ireland (at least 3 years) to show that you have a connection to Ireland.
- Legal residence is a prerequisite to Irish citizenship in several cases. We will discuss how to obtain legal residence later in this blog.
Applications based on descent from an Irish citizen going further back than a great-grandparent are generally refused.
Applications based on being the parent or grandparent of an Irish citizen (by ‘ascent’), or a sibling, or other relative of an Irish citizen are generally refused.
Applications based on Irish descent or associations can take up to 30 months to process.

Not sure if you meet the qualifications? Here is a useful guidance questionnaire to check if you are an Irish citizen by descent. To learn more about this pathway to Irish citizenship, check out this website.

Irish Citizenship by Naturalization

Naturalization means you can legally become a citizen of a country even though you were not born there. So, how do you become an Irish citizen by naturalization? There are a few paths you can take:

You have legally lived in Ireland for five years.
1. You must have continuously lived in Ireland for a full one year period right before you apply. You can be away for up to 70 days during this year, with an extra 30 days allowed in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Minister.
2. During the eight years immediately before that period, you must have a total residence in Ireland of four years.
You are married to or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen.
1. You must be in a genuine and enduring marriage or civil partnership with an Irish citizen for three years or more.
2. You must be living with your spouse or civil partner on the date you apply for citizenship and on the date you are granted citizenship.
3. You must have lived legally on the island of Ireland for three out of the last five years before making your application. This must include one full year of continuous residence immediately prior to your application. The absence policy is the same as above.
You were declared a refugee under the International Protection Act 2015.
1. If you are in Ireland as a refugee, you can become an Irish citizen after three years.
2. You must have a declaration as a refugee from the Minister for Justice in Ireland.
3. Make sure you keep your immigration permission registered (with no gaps) during your residence. Gaps in your registration may lead to your application for citizenship being deemed ineligible.
4. The certificate of naturalization costs €0 for a recognized refugee.

Each pathway to citizenship has its own specific requirements. In general, you must:

Have the correct identity documents to prove who you are.
Have the correct residency documents to prove that you have legally lived in Ireland for the correct number of years.
Reach the correct total score on the citizenship scorecard system.
Intend to live in Ireland after you become a citizen.
Be of good character.

You can apply online for Irish citizenship by naturalization. If you cannot apply online, paper forms are available. All citizenship applications are processed by the Citizenship Division in Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). The application fee for each application for naturalization is €175, and it must be in the form of a bank draft only. The fee is made payable to the Secretary General of the Department of Justice.

Most applications for citizenship by naturalization are processed within 19 months. After you apply, you will get an application number and an e-vetting link. If your application is approved, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) will notify you and tell you that the Minister intends to grant you a certificate of naturalization. You will be invited to a mandatory citizenship ceremony, where you will take an oath of fidelity to the State.

Before you receive your certificate of naturalization, you must pay the certification fee, which is €950 for adults. You will receive your certificate by post in the weeks following your citizenship ceremony.

How Can American Citizens Obtain Legal Residence in Ireland?

Irish residency is a legal status that implies you are living in Ireland with permission from the immigration authorities. To gain legal residence in Ireland as an American, you'll need to obtain an Ireland Residence Permit (IRP) — a certificate of registration that says you have legal residence and have obtained all immigration permissions necessary. IRPs are generally valid for 12 months and are renewable under certain conditions. They cost €300 for U.S citizens, which can be paid by bank draft or money order.

Typically, applications for IRPs are processed between six and eight months after you submit them. Then, depending on your circumstances, you can explore pathways like employment permits, study visas or investment programs, with the possibility of applying for permanent residency after five years.

There are several pathways to legal residence in Ireland. You may apply for residency in Ireland on the basis of several different claims:

Family:

Strong familial ties to an Irish citizen: Qualifying familial ties must be immediate family, such as an Irish parent.
Spouse/Partner of an Irish Citizen: If you are married to or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen, you may be eligible for residency.

Employment:

Employment Permit: If you are applying for residency based on employment, you will need to register for an employment permit to receive immigration permission.
Permanent Residency after 5 years: Once you have lived in Ireland under certain approved work authorizations for five years, you can apply for permanent residence.

Study:

Student Visas: You can apply for a student visa to study in Ireland.
Stay-Back Visas: After completing your studies, you may be eligible for a stay-back visa, which can allow you to work and potentially apply for permanent residency.

Investment:

Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) for U.S. Citizens: This program allows wealthy U.S citizens to obtain residency by investing in the Irish economy. It enables the applicant and their immediate family to move to Ireland for up to five years with a minimum investment of €1 million.

When you submit your application for Irish residency, you will need to include a number of required documents to confirm your identification and provide evidence of your claim for residency. Supporting documentation may include: completed application form, bank statements, U.S. passport, birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, paystubs, etc.

To apply for permanent residency, you will typically need to apply to the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service by filling out the written physical application form and submitting it by mail. The application process for Irish residency has several steps:

Submit your preclearance application
- When your preclearance application is accepted, you will receive a letter of approval which you must take with you and present to the immigration officer at border control when you enter Ireland. Immigration officers will review your documents at the border and determine your valid reason for entering the country.
Apply for a work permit (if applicable)
- If you are applying for residency on the basis of employment, you will need to apply for a work permit before submitting your residency application. You may apply for one of nine employment permits.
Submit your residency application and pay the fees
- You must register with the local immigration office in Ireland and pay the Irish Residence Permit fee.

Key Considerations to Getting an Irish Citizenship as an American

Good news! Ireland allows dual citizenship, so you won't have to give up your American citizenship to become an Irish citizen. Also, once you gain Irish citizenship, you are entitled to an Irish passport, which offers visa-free access to many countries and allows you to live and work freely in the European Union. Explore other rights of Irish citizens here.

For further information, you can contact the Citizenship Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs or visit the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website.