Ireland Eases Naturalization Document Requirements

The Government of Ireland has updated the naturalization documentation requirements for adult applicants. To be eligible for Irish Citizenship, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have been resident in Ireland for the full year prior to their application AND for periods totaling 4 years in the 8 years before that. All applicants must establish their identity by submitting identity documents with a predetermined point value until they reach a score of 150 points for each year. Officials may request additional proofs of identity to those provided by the applicant.

Exceptions and Exemptions
  • In cases where individuals are unable to meet the required 150 points for each year of residency, the applicant must complete the scorecard to the highest standard they can and provide an affidavit explaining the reasons for being unable to meet the full requirement. Each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • The requirements for applications made on the basis of marriage or civil partnership to an Irish Citizen are slightly different from other applications. In this case, an applicant must be married to/in a civil relationship with the Irish citizen for not less than 3 years, be living together at the date of making an application, and have the required residency in Ireland. Documentation proof will be required to show the partner’s Irish citizenship and marriage or civil partnership registration, as well as three different proofs of residence. Finally, a sworn Affidavit (at the back of Form 8 application for naturalization) must be completed by the Irish spouse/civil partner in the presence of a legal witness after having signed the statutory declaration.
  • If an applicant is a refugee, they may not have access to a national passport and would be exempt from the requirement to submit one. They can instead submit a certified copy of their Irish-issued travel documents, a letter confirming refugee status, along with a passport affidavit to meet the required threshold.

Additionally, from April 20, 2023, all new applicants for a certificate of naturalization are only required to provide a certified color copy of the biometric page of their current passport. The color copy of the biometric page can be certified by a Solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, Peace Commissioner, or Notary Public.

Erickson Insights

Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.