Do I qualify for an Irish passport?

1123heavy

Hello all,
I have lived in Ireland since I was 7 years old having moved here in 2002. I was born in Britain and hold a British passport, my parents do not hold Irish passports. Surely after living in Ireland for 15 years I'm entitled to a passport? I know people who've been here far less and have one anyway. My question though is more about whether or not I have to pay 950eu for one? I read somewhere this was the case for those naturalised. It seems mad to have to pay that much to get a passport for a place I've lived in for so long ... 

All help appreciated, thanks

Tom Mann Centuria

You're entitled to pay the money to apply to be a citizen.

ohnonotgmail

all the info you require is here http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP16000022

you will have to pay the €175 application fee and €950 if your application is successful.

DesperateDan

Exact same boat mate since 1999. Disappointingly expensive, can't pay that much myself when the only benefit is the odd referendum vote.

hots

Same boat, haven't got 1000 lying around to make the change.

9or10

hots wrote: »

Same boat, haven't got 1000 lying around to make the change.

Same. Of course in two years time when we start being rounded up and put in camps, I'll find it.

Alun

I'm in the same boat, and would do it tomorrow if it was a little less expensive. Also have you seen the form? Looks like someone was let loose with MS Paint 1.0 and told to use as many colours and fonts as possible.

I'm also put off by the requirement to send off your original passport, with no guarantee you'll get it back within a definite time frame. Why on earth can you not go to a solicitor and get a copy legally certified?

ohnonotgmail

Alun wrote: »

I'm in the same boat, and would do it tomorrow if it was a little less expensive. Also have you seen the form? Looks like someone was let loose with MS Paint 1.0 and told to use as many colours and fonts as possible.

I'm also put off by the requirement to send off your original passport, with no guarantee you'll get it back within a definite time frame. Why on earth can you not go to a solicitor and get a copy legally certified?

is a solicitor qualified to certify that a passport is genuine?

Peregrinus

You can't get an Irish passport unless you're an Irish citizen, as others have pointed out. Once you're a citizen, you'll pay the same fee for a passport as any other citizen.

True, the fee for naturalisation as an Irish citizen is not trivial. On the other hand, it's not out of line. If anything, it's on the lighter side; the corresponding fee in the UK is GBP 1,282.

DesperateDan

DesperateDan wrote: »

Exact same boat mate since 1999. Disappointingly expensive, can't pay that much myself when the only benefit is the odd referendum vote.

Sure why bother so regardless of price?

Fred Swanson

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ohnonotgmail

Peregrinus wrote: »

You can't get an Irish passport unless you're an Irish citizen, as others have pointed out. Once you're a citizen, you'll pay the same fee for a passport as any other citizen.

True, the fee for naturalisation as an Irish citizen is not trivial. On the other hand, it's not out of line. If anything, it's on the lighter side; the corresponding fee in the UK is GBP 1,282.

plus you have to pay for (and pass) a Life in the UK test plus an english language exam.

Fred Swanson

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Alun

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

is a solicitor qualified to certify that a passport is genuine?

In other countries it's normal to be able to get notarized copies of official documents to send off, including passports and other documents such as birth or marriage certificates. All they do is check that the person presenting the original document is the same person as the document refers to, not too difficult in the case of a passport.

Once the immigration services have the copy, it'd be a simple matter for them to check up whether the passport number is valid and relates to the person making the application.

pilly

DesperateDan wrote: »

Exact same boat mate since 1999. Disappointingly expensive, can't pay that much myself when the only benefit is the odd referendum vote.

Plus membership of the EU.

Fred Swanson

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Alun

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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That's the main reason for me doing it too. I owe my whole working life to that freedom of movement, and it's not something I'm ready to give up now even though I'm retired and will probably (although not 100%) remain here.

In fact, if I could just become a citizen of the EU, without any ties to a particular country I'd do that too id possible.

ohnonotgmail

Alun wrote: »

In other countries it's normal to be able to get notarized copies of official documents to send off, including passports and other documents such as birth or marriage certificates. All they do is check that the person presenting the original document is the same person as the document refers to, not too difficult in the case of a passport.

Once the immigration services have the copy, it'd be a simple matter for them to check up whether the passport number is valid and relates to the person making the application.

probably not so simple as you like to believe. it would be a foreign passport after all so they would need to check with the foreign authority. much easier just to have it in hand.

pilly

Alun wrote: »

That's the main reason for me doing it too. I owe my whole working life to that freedom of movement, and it's not something I'm ready to give up now even though I'm retired and will probably (although not 100%) remain here.

In fact, if I could just become a citizen of the EU, without any ties to a particular country I'd do that too id possible.

It's a good idea. An EU citizen, I like it.

Alun

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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A passport is an important document for most people. You should either be given a definite time frame for it's return, or else be able to turn up in person, get it checked and returned to you immediately.

Fred Swanson

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Alun

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Yes, that was Guy Verhofstadt I believe. I'd settle for that too.

Fred Swanson

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Indeed, it's not just to partake in the "odd referendum"
So if people value the free movement aspect of the EU and wish to do so as an Irish citizen, meet the criteria, than they cough up

ION08

Op, First of all, you are not entitled to a passport - you are entitled to apply to become a citizen.

If your application is approved (no guarantee of that) - you can then apply for an Irish passport (which is simply a travel document) on the basis of your citizenship (certificate of Naturalisation)

Whether the associated fee's are worth it or not is subjective, but you are certainly not "entitled" to anything and there is no reason to waive any fee's because you have been living here for x amount of years.

Understand the costs, understand the process and then decide if you want to go through with it yourself.

DesperateDan

ION08 wrote: »

Op, First of all, you are not entitled to a passport - you are entitled to apply to become a citizen.

If your application is approved (no guarantee of that) - you can then apply for an Irish passport (which is simply a travel document) on the basis of your citizenship (certificate of Naturalisation)

Whether the associated fee's are worth it or not is subjective, but you are certainly not "entitled" to anything and there is no reason to waive any fee's because you have been living here for x amount of years.

Understand the costs, understand the process and then decide if you want to go through with it yourself.

IMO a child (me!) that is moved to any EU country from any other EU country at the age of 6 and who is now nearly 30 should be entitled to full citizenship at a heavily discounted rate. Why not? It's just a money making racket as with most services.

ohnonotgmail

DesperateDan wrote: »

IMO a child (me!) that is moved to any EU country from any other EU country at the age of 6 and who is now nearly 30 should be entitled to full citizenship at a heavily discounted rate. Why not? It's just a money making racket as with most services.

why? what makes you more special than others who qualify?

irelandrover

DesperateDan wrote: »

IMO a child (me!) that is moved to any EU country from any other EU country at the age of 6 and who is now nearly 30 should be entitled to full citizenship at a heavily discounted rate. Why not? It's just a money making racket as with most services.

Because you still have to go through the same checks as another person applying for citizenship. Therefore the costs are the same.

Why do you think there should be a discouunt and how much do you think the discount should be?

ohnonotgmail

DesperateDan wrote: »

IMO a child (me!) that is moved to any EU country from any other EU country at the age of 6 and who is now nearly 30 should be entitled to full citizenship at a heavily discounted rate. Why not? It's just a money making racket as with most services.

and just to clarify you are not entitled to irish citizenship at all. even if you meet the criteria they are not obliged to give you citizenship. it is at the discretion of the minister.

Peregrinus

DesperateDan wrote: »

IMO a child (me!) that is moved to any EU country from any other EU country at the age of 6 and who is now nearly 30 should be entitled to full citizenship at a heavily discounted rate. Why not? It's just a money making racket as with most services.

You've got EU citizenship for free; I don't see that you have a pressing need for Irish citizenship.

The OP is in this situation because his government has decided to give his EU citizenship away. I don't think his beef is with the Irish government, and I don't see that the Irish government has a responsibility to bear any costs associated with bailing him out of the mess his government has put him in.

BigMoose

I am in the same position - considering my options re Brexit and if now is the time to find the €1k+. I believe that both Ireland and the UK allow dual citizenship, so is it possible to keep British citizenship and passport and become Irish? I asked the UK embassy years ago but they had no clue and said it was up to the Irish...

ohnonotgmail

BigMoose wrote: »

I am in the same position - considering my options re Brexit and if now is the time to find the €1k+. I believe that both Ireland and the UK allow dual citizenship, so is it possible to keep British citizenship and passport and become Irish? I asked the UK embassy years ago but they had no clue and said it was up to the Irish...

you can hold irish and british citizenship simultaneously.

Peregrinus

BigMoose wrote: »

I am in the same position - considering my options re Brexit and if now is the time to find the €1k+. I believe that both Ireland and the UK allow dual citizenship, so is it possible to keep British citizenship and passport and become Irish? I asked the UK embassy years ago but they had no clue and said it was up to the Irish...

Yes, no problem. And British/Irish dual citizenship is extremely common.

BigMoose

Thanks for the quick answers So whoever further back mentioned giving up the British passport doesn't need to... However I am a bit concerned to hear you have to send off your current passport for some undefined length of time as I travel a lot for work. Guess work will have to lump no travel for however long it takes whenever the Brits/EU make it clear there's no other options.

Fred Swanson

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Really Interested

DesperateDan wrote: »

IMO a child (me!) that is moved to any EU country from any other EU country at the age of 6 and who is now nearly 30 should be entitled to full citizenship at a heavily discounted rate. Why not? It's just a money making racket as with most services.

Well if that child's parents applied for naturalisation for that child when he was still a child the naturalisation fee is reduced from €950 to €200. So if I was that child I would not be pissed off at the state he wants to become a citizen of but I wold ask why the parents/guardian did not apply while still a child.

Really Interested

Fred Swanson wrote: »

If you are a British Citizen there is no need to send them your passport. You could have come to Ireland and never held a passport.

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Form%208%20Ver%205.5%20Aug%2016.pdf/Files/Form%208%20Ver%205.5%20Aug%2016.pdf

Number 2 "The original of your current passport and any previous passports valid during periods of residence in the State, together with a photocopy of the biometric page of each passport."

I believe a passport is required for all nationals seeking naturalisation.

my3cents

BigMoose wrote: »

Thanks for the quick answers So whoever further back mentioned giving up the British passport doesn't need to... However I am a bit concerned to hear you have to send off your current passport for some undefined length of time as I travel a lot for work. Guess work will have to lump no travel for however long it takes whenever the Brits/EU make it clear there's no other options.

If you read the first link in the thread you'll find it states "Your passport will be returned to you when initial processing is complete, about 6 weeks after you submit your application."

pilly

Just noticed another thread in legal discussion on this and there's a lady who hasn't received her passport back for 8 weeks so just be prepared for a bit of a wait.

my3cents

pilly wrote: »

Just noticed another thread in legal discussion on this and there's a lady who hasn't received her passport back for 8 weeks so just be prepared for a bit of a wait.

Its not difficult to imagine that they have had a higher than normal number of requests recently.

Alun

Whether it's "about" 6, 8 or even more weeks it's a bit ridiculous to expect someone to be without their passport for that amount of time. What if you travel a lot for work? Do they have to put their working life on hold until it gets returned?

my3cents

Alun wrote: »

Whether it's "about" 6, 8 or even more weeks it's a bit ridiculous to expect someone to be without their passport for that amount of time. What if you travel a lot for work? Do they have to put their working life on hold until it gets returned?

Read the stuff in the link, they even state if you need your passport to travel to cancel the application get your passport back then apply again later.

Not a great solution but at least they have thought about it.

Alun

my3cents wrote: »

Read the stuff in the link, they even state if you need your passport to travel to cancel the application get your passport back then apply again later.

Not a great solution but at least they have thought about it.

I did read it, it's a rubbish solution for a frequent traveller.

my3cents

Alun wrote: »

I did read it, it's a rubbish solution for a frequent traveller.

I agree, but think of it from their very Irish point of view if you want to be an Irish citizen you are going to be in this country not travelling around.

tedpan

Unsure if this is a stupid question. I've lived in Ireland since 95, moved here at the age of 13 and this is my home. My Granny and Grandad are Irish, have cousins and other family in the west. I still have a British passport, are the charges to become an Irish citizen the same due to my grandparents?

DesperateDan

irelandrover wrote: »

Because you still have to go through the same checks as another person applying for citizenship. Therefore the costs are the same.

The costs may be the same, but those costs are too high begin with. €1k per citizen to sign a document and make sure you are not a terrorist is clearly inflated for profit. Over 24k people in 2013 = 2.5 million a year and I'm sure that rises every year.

irelandrover wrote: »

Why do you think there should be a discouunt and how much do you think the discount should be?

Really Interested wrote: »

Well if that child's parents applied for naturalisation for that child when he was still a child the naturalisation fee is reduced from €950 to €200. So if I was that child I would not be pissed off at the state he wants to become a citizen of but I wold ask why the parents/guardian did not apply while still a child.

Didn't know about this, €200 quid sounds about right to me!

ohnonotgmail

DesperateDan wrote: »

The costs may be the same, but those costs are too high begin with. €1k per citizen to sign a document and make sure you are not a terrorist is clearly inflated for profit. Over 24k people in 2013 = 2.5 million a year and I'm sure that rises every year.





Didn't know about this, €200 quid sounds about right to me!

the uk government charges considerably more as do other EU countries. its not a massive moneyspinner.

ohnonotgmail

tedpan wrote: »

Unsure if this is a stupid question. I've lived in Ireland since 95, moved here at the age of 13 and this is my home. My Granny and Grandad are Irish, have cousins and other family in the west. I still have a British passport, are the charges to become an Irish citizen the same due to my grandparents?

there is a questionnaire here which will tell you. assuming your grandparents were BORN in ireland then the answer is maybe

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/citizenship-by-birth-descent

you would have to pay to be added to the Foreign Births Register but after that i think it is just the standard passport fee.

tedpan

ohnonotgmail wrote:

there is a questionnaire here which will tell you. assuming your grandparents were BORN in ireland then the answer is maybe

ohnonotgmail wrote:

you would have to pay to be added to the Foreign Births Register but after that i think it is just the standard passport fee.

Thanks, this suggests I can do it without the naturalisation fee. Just need to contact my Granny, she will not be happy to supply documents though.

irelandrover

DesperateDan wrote: »

The costs may be the same, but those costs are too high begin with. €1k per citizen to sign a document and make sure you are not a terrorist is clearly inflated for profit. Over 24k people in 2013 = 2.5 million a year and I'm sure that rises every year.





Didn't know about this, €200 quid sounds about right to me!

I live in Holland and looked into citizenship recently. I need to pass 6 exams at a cost of €350 and then pay €855 fee for citizenship. €1k for the application doesnt seem crazy.

pilly

tedpan wrote:

Thanks, this suggests I can do it without the naturalisation fee. Just need to contact my Granny, she will not be happy to supply documents though.

Why?

tedpan

pilly wrote:

Why?

She doesn't like to share any kind of personal information. It will be incredibly difficult to get a copy of her birth cert etc. We'll have to see I suppose, will give her a call on the weekend