A clear process. Guidance for every step.
Applying for Irish citizenship is easier when you know what to expect. Every application requires the right documents and careful preparation, but you do not have to figure it out on your own.
Start with a complimentary eligibility review. If you appear eligible and decide to continue, you will choose the service package that best fits your needs before beginning the detailed intake and planning process.
This page walks you through each of the five steps, explains what happens along the way, and shows how our service packages can support you.
Not sure whether you may qualify? Take the one-minute eligibility quiz →
From clarity to your Irish passport
The process is often simpler than people expect. You will share some basic family information during the complimentary eligibility review. If you decide to continue, you will select your service package and complete a more detailed intake packet.
From there, the amount you handle yourself, and the amount we handle for you, depends on the package you choose.
Step 1. Check your eligibility
The first step is understanding whether you may qualify for Irish citizenship by descent.
Share what you know about your family's connection to Ireland, and we will conduct a complimentary preliminary review of the information you provide. For many people, eligibility begins with a parent or grandparent who was born in Ireland.
We will let you know whether you appear to have a route to citizenship and whether it makes sense to move forward.
There is no charge and no obligation for this initial review.
What happens after the free review?
If you appear eligible, we will explain the paid service packages available and what is included with each one. You can then decide whether you would like to continue and how much support you would like from us.
You will not be asked to complete the detailed intake process or purchase additional services unless you choose to move forward.
Step 2. Choose your package and get your plan
If you decide to continue after the complimentary eligibility review, the beginning of Step 2 is when you will select the service package that best fits your needs.
Once you are enrolled, we will send you our Client Intake & Eligibility Packet. You will provide the family information you know and share copies of any relevant records you already have. It is completely normal not to have every detail or document at this stage.
We will use your completed intake packet to conduct a more detailed assessment of your family history and confirm your route to citizenship.
Every package begins with a personalized assessment and roadmap. Depending on the package you select, your roadmap may include:
- A review of your family line
- Confirmation of your route to citizenship
- A personalized list of records likely to be needed
- An estimated timeline
- Recommendations for moving forward
- A breakdown of professional fees, government fees, and anticipated record-ordering costs
The amount of assistance you receive after the roadmap is completed depends on the package you selected at the beginning of this step.
We believe in setting clear expectations from the start rather than promising a faster process than the Irish authorities can deliver.
Step 3. Prepare your application
Once your roadmap is complete, the application preparation phase begins.
Depending on your package, you may gather and review the required records yourself, or we may assist with document review, record ordering, and application preparation.
Nearly every family history includes a few inconsistencies. A name may be spelled differently on two records, a date may vary, or a marriage may have been registered somewhere other than the family remembers. When document review is included in your package, we will help identify and address those issues before the application is submitted.
With our Application Preparation and Premium Citizenship Concierge packages, we will complete your Foreign Birth Registration application, submit the online registration, and manage the government fee. You will receive the completed application to review before anything is signed.
This is often the longest phase of the process, but it may also be one of the quietest for you.
Step 4. Complete the final application requirements
Once the application has been prepared, you will complete a few required items before the paper application can be submitted to Ireland.
Depending on your package, you will either complete and submit the application yourself using the guidance provided, or we will review and send the finished packet for you.
Clients receiving final application guidance will receive a personalized Next Steps packet explaining what they need to complete and when. This helps ensure the final documents are prepared correctly and completed in the proper order.
The exact instructions, review process, and level of assistance depend on the service package you selected.
With our Application Preparation and Premium Citizenship Concierge packages, we will also review the completed packet before it is sent, helping identify missing information, inconsistent dates, or other avoidable issues.
Witnessed signatures and some supporting documents are time-sensitive, so it is important to wait for your personalized instructions before completing the final steps.
Step 5. Receive your Irish citizenship and apply for your passport
Foreign Birth Registration formally records your Irish citizenship by descent.
Once your registration has been approved, you can apply for your first Irish passport.
Our Premium Citizenship Concierge package includes guidance through the first Irish passport application, so you will know what is required and what to expect during the final stage of the process.
Four ways to work with us
Every package begins with the same foundation: a professional eligibility assessment and a record list created for your family. The difference is how much support you'd like after that point.
| What's included | Assessment & Roadmap $395 | Advisory Session $795 | Application Preparation $995 | Concierge $1,795 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility assessment and route confirmation | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Personalized record list, generation by generation | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Written roadmap showing where to obtain each record | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Review of your documents before submission | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Witness, photograph, and proof-of-address guidance | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Completion of your FBR application | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| Online application submission and government fee management | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| Item-by-item review of your signed packet | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| Ordering of civil records you do not hold | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Posting of your packet to Ireland | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Correspondence handled until a decision is issued | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Guidance for your first Irish passport application | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
Personal Eligibility Assessment & Roadmap
$395Who it suits: You want a clear eligibility assessment and a detailed plan, and you're comfortable handling the rest of the process yourself.
You'll receive a full eligibility assessment, confirmation of your route to citizenship, and a record list showing which documents you're likely to need and where to request them. From there, you can follow the roadmap at your own pace.
Scope: This package covers steps 1 and 2. You'll gather the records, prepare the application, and submit it yourself. You can upgrade later, and we'll credit what you've already paid.
Advisory Session & Roadmap
$795Who it suits: You're comfortable doing the legwork, but you'd like an experienced professional to review your documents before you submit anything.
Everything in the Assessment & Roadmap, plus detailed written instructions for the parts that commonly cause confusion, including choosing a qualified witness, meeting passport photograph standards, and selecting acceptable proof-of-address documents. We'll review what you've gathered and explain what's missing or needs to be corrected. You'll complete and submit the application yourself.
Scope: This package covers steps 1 and 2 in full and supports you through steps 3 and 4 with written guidance and document review. You'll order the records, complete and submit the application online, and mail the packet to Ireland. You can upgrade later, and we'll credit what you've already paid.
Application Preparation
$995Who it suits: You can obtain your own family records, but you'd prefer that we prepare the application for you.
Everything in the Advisory Session & Roadmap, plus we'll complete your Foreign Birth Registration application, submit the online registration, and manage the government fee. We'll also review your signed packet item by item before it's sent, helping catch mismatched dates, missing certifications, and other avoidable issues.
Scope: This package covers steps 1 through 4, with two exceptions: you'll order your family records and mail the finished packet to Ireland. We'll prepare and submit the online application and review your signed packet before it's sent. You can upgrade to the Premium Citizenship Concierge later, and we'll credit what you've already paid.
Premium Citizenship Concierge
$1,795Who it suits: You'd like us to handle as much of the process as possible, or your family line requires records you don't already have.
Everything in Application Preparation, plus we'll order missing civil records in Ireland and elsewhere, mail your completed packet to the FBR office, handle correspondence until a decision is issued, and guide you through your first Irish passport application.
Scope: This package covers all five steps. Your responsibilities are limited to signing the application in front of a qualified witness, obtaining your passport photographs, and gathering three proofs of address. We'll handle the rest, including correspondence with the FBR office.
Every package begins with a professional eligibility assessment, a personalized record plan, and clear guidance before you decide how you'd like to proceed.
Government fees and record-ordering costs are separate from the package price. Your fee schedule will clearly show these costs before you choose a package.
Not sure which fits? Start with the free eligibility check.
What We Need From You, and When
Many people expect applying for Irish citizenship to involve months of paperwork and constant attention. In reality, your active involvement is generally concentrated around two important stages.
The exact tasks you complete, and the amount of assistance we provide, depend on the service package you choose.
Stage 1: The intake process
After your complimentary eligibility review, you will choose your service package.
We will then send you our Client Intake & Eligibility Packet. You will share the family information you know and provide copies of any relevant records you already have.
Do not worry if you do not have everything or are unsure about a particular detail. That is completely normal. We will review the information you provide and let you know what is needed next based on your package.
Stage 2: The final application steps
After your Foreign Birth Registration application has been prepared, you will receive personalized instructions explaining the final items you need to complete before submission.
Some requirements must be completed personally by the applicant. We will explain what applies to your case, when it should be completed, and how to return the finished materials.
The level of guidance, review, and hands-on assistance you receive at this stage depends on the service package you selected.
What happens between these two stages?
Between the intake process and the final application steps, the work depends on your package.
You may be gathering records and preparing documents yourself, working with us for guidance and review, or relying on our team to manage much of the process for you.
Either way, you will know what is expected of you and when your involvement is needed.
How long it takes
Complete Foreign Birth Registration applications are currently averaging approximately 12 months after all required documents are received by the Irish authorities.
Processing begins once the complete application packet has been received, not when you first contact us or complete the complimentary eligibility review.
The amount of time needed before submission varies from one family to another. Someone who already has every required record may be ready sooner, while a family waiting for older or harder-to-find records may need additional time.
Your paid assessment and roadmap in Step 2 will provide a clearer picture of the anticipated timeline for your application.
Processing times are established by the Irish authorities and may change. Last reviewed July 2026.
Questions we hear most often
Is the eligibility review free?
Yes. The initial eligibility review is complimentary and there is no obligation to continue. We will review the family information you provide and let you know whether you appear to have a route to citizenship by descent. The detailed assessment, roadmap, timeline, record recommendations, and application services are included with our paid packages.
When do I choose a paid package?
You will choose your package at the beginning of Step 2, after receiving the results of your complimentary eligibility review and deciding that you would like to continue. Once you select a package, we will send you the Client Intake & Eligibility Packet and begin the detailed assessment and planning work included with your service.
Do I have to travel to Ireland?
No. You can complete the process from where you live. Some application requirements must be completed locally, and the finished application packet is submitted to Ireland.
Are you part of the Irish government?
No. Irish Passport Advisors is a private advisory service and is not affiliated with the Government of Ireland. You remain the applicant, and the application is always submitted in your name.
Can you guarantee that my application will be approved?
No. The Irish authorities make the final decision, so you should be cautious of anyone who promises approval. Depending on your package, we can help ensure your application is carefully prepared, internally consistent, and supported by the appropriate records. Those are the parts of the process we can help you control.
Can my family apply at the same time?
Yes. Applying as a family can be more efficient because siblings and children may share some of the same ancestral records. Each applicant must still provide their own information and complete a separate application. A parent or legal guardian completes the required information for an applicant under 18.
What happens to my original records?
The Irish authorities may require original certified records rather than ordinary photocopies. Records submitted with an application are generally returned after the registration process is complete. When document handling is included in your package, we will explain how returned records will be managed. We recommend using trackable, insured delivery when sending original documents.
What if I am not eligible?
We will provide an initial indication during the complimentary eligibility review, before you invest in a paid service. If Irish citizenship by descent does not appear to be available based on the information you provide, we will explain our preliminary assessment and what it means. A final determination is always made by the appropriate Irish authorities.
How is my family information handled?
We treat your family information as confidential and use it only to assess your eligibility and provide the services you have selected. When required for your application, relevant information may be shared with the appropriate records offices or Irish authorities. You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your information in accordance with our privacy policy.
Looking for more? Browse the full FAQ →
Personal guidance for Irish citizenship by descent
Start with a complimentary eligibility review to learn whether you may qualify.
If you decide to continue, choose the service package that best fits your needs. We will then guide you through the detailed intake, planning, and application process based on the level of support you selected.