Eligibility Quiz
At the time of the adoption, was at least one of the adopters an Irish citizen?
Application Process
In Ireland, citizenship by adoption is automatic. You do not need to "apply" for citizenship or attend a naturalization ceremony; instead, citizenship is triggered the moment the adoption is legally finalized or recognized under Irish law. Once this happens, the child is an Irish citizen for life.
Domestic Adoptions (Adoptions within Ireland)
If you are adopting a child within Ireland through the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), the process is seamless.
- Obtain the Adoption Order: Once the legal process is complete, the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) issues a formal Adoption Order.
- Receive the Adoption Certificate: The AAI will issue an Irish Adoption Certificate. This document acts as the child's "birth certificate" and serves as legal proof of their Irish citizenship.
- Apply for a Passport: You can immediately apply for the child's first Irish passport via Passport Online.
Intercountry Adoptions (Adoptions from Abroad)
If you have adopted a child outside of Ireland, you must ensure the adoption is legally recognized in Ireland to activate the child's citizenship.
- Register with RICA: You must apply to have the foreign adoption entered into the Register of Intercountry Adoptions (RICA). This is a vital step; without this entry, the child is not legally considered an Irish citizen. You should ideally start this process within three months of the child arriving in Ireland.
- Submit Documentation to the AAI: Send the foreign adoption decree, the child's original birth certificate, and proof of your Irish citizenship (such as your Irish passport or birth certificate) to the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
- Obtain a Certified Extract: Once the entry is made in the RICA, request a certified copy/extract of the entry. This document is the official proof required to show the child is an Irish citizen.
- Apply for a Passport: Use the RICA extract to apply for the child’s first Irish passport through the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| RICA Entry (Initial Registration) | Free |
| Certified Copy of RICA Entry | €20 |
| Standard Child Passport (Online) | €30 |
| Standard Adult Passport (Online) | €75 |
| Accredited Agency Fees (Intercountry) | €400 – €600 |
Total Estimate: Approximately €50 – €650 depending on whether you use an adoption agency and the age of the applicant.
Does not include: Costs for certified translations of foreign documents, legal fees for adoption proceedings, or postage for passport documentation.
Processing Time
- Citizenship Grant: Instantaneous once the Adoption Order is made or the foreign adoption is entered into the RICA.
- RICA Registration: This typically takes several months. The duration depends on the country where the adoption took place and whether all foreign paperwork meets Irish legal standards.
- Passport Issuance: Standard online applications for children usually take 20 working days. However, first-time applications for children adopted abroad are treated as complex cases and can take 8 to 12 weeks (or longer) as the Passport Office must verify the adoption records.
- Document Validity: The RICA extract and Adoption Certificate do not expire and can be used throughout the person's life to prove citizenship.