Is there such thing as a 'Grandmother Clause' for Irish Citizenship?

Question

I have heard that if your grandmother was from Ireland you can simply become an Irish citizen? Is there any truth to this in any form? All my grandparents were originally from Ireland and immigrated to the USA years ago...if thats false, then how hard is it to become an Irish citizen if im already a citizen of the USA?

Answer 1

If your grandparents were citizens of Ireland then your parents are automatic citizens of Ireland, even if they were not born in Ireland. A grandchild (you) are entitled to Irish citizenship, but you must first register in the Foreign Births Register. Any children born to you after you have registered will be able to apply, so if you have children born already they cannot apply for citizenship. Your citizenship will be effective from the time of registering. You must apply through your nearest Irish embassy or consulate where you can fill out the necessary forms.

Full information and a link to a list of embassies and consulates are at the site below:

Answer 2

The Irish Govt used to allow people who had at least one grandparent born in Ireland to claim Irish citizenship. You had to complete some forms available at their consulates and produce birth certificates or baptismal certificates and marriage licenses for the grandparent, parent and yourself. It was a two-step process first to get approved citizenship and then for passports or other documents. My parents were from Ireland so I had a simplified process where I was automatically recognized as a citizen but just needed to apply for a passport. This is one of the few dual-citizenship relationships that the US allows (for some countries, you must choose between).

I heard that the Government of Ireland was reconsidering the 2nd generation clause so this may have changed in your case. Do a google search and check the Irish Govt pages (they had all the forms and procedures available on line). The intent behind the clause was to ensure links to Ireland back when there was such outmigration but now that Ireland's economy is doing well, there's a lot less braindrain so that link isn't as needed. If you have a parent born in Ireland, you are still apply to have the dual citizenship.

Answer 3

you can technically become an irish citizen if you can prove your grandparents were irish, your parent who was born from the relationship does not neccessarily have to be born in ireland but i would imagine you might have trouble proving your grandparents came to america from ireland unless it was all legal and entered through one of the ports that kept records of entry into the u.s.

My mother was born in ireland and moved to england but was able to get an irish passport, then she lost her original birth certificate. then found she was unable to get a copy of the original as the original records were 'lost' somehow in her old hometown.

you might be lucky if your grandparents were born in dublin, but forget it if they were born in a small town, from what you say it seems your parent doesnt have an irish passport or birth certificate.

try http://www.irelandemb.org this is the irish embassy site and they have helpful links to any information you need also try

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories this site is kind of for irish citizens but it does have some great information on how to move to ireland.

I lived in ireland for a while before moving to the states, and i am moving back to ireland in 5 weeks, if you can get irish citizenship and you are married and have children all of them would be covered under your citizenship.

good luck anyway

Answer 4

You can apply for permanent residency in Ireland if you can prove your grandparents or parent were from Ireland ie passports, birth certificates


IT is hard to get citizenship they have regulations for many things like if you are marrying someone from Ireland, if you want to work in Ireland, go to Irish Embassy in Washington DC website and it will give you everything,

Answer 5

Only if Jack Charlton wanted you for the Irish squad!!!!!

Answer 6

NO