Eligibility Quiz
Are you 18 years or older?
Application Process
The application for Irish citizenship by naturalisation is primarily submitted online through the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) portal. You must be the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen for at least 3 years before you are eligible to use this specific pathway.
Step 1: Verify Your Residency
Before starting your application, use the Online Residency Checker to confirm you have the required 1,095 days of reckonable residence (legal residence that counts toward citizenship). For this pathway, you can include time spent living in Northern Ireland as long as you were living with your Irish spouse or partner.
Step 2: Gather Your Proofs
You must prove your identity and your residence for each year of your application. Ireland uses a "points" system where you must reach 150 points for every year of residency claimed.
- Identity: Your current valid passport and all previous passports held since you arrived in Ireland.
- Relationship: A certified copy of your Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate and proof of your spouse’s Irish citizenship (such as their Irish passport or birth certificate).
- Residence Proofs: Common documents include a P60 or Employment Detail Summary (70 points), bank statements (50 points), and utility bills (20 points).
Step 3: Complete the Statutory Declaration
You must complete Form 8, which includes a statutory declaration (a legal statement of truth). This document must be signed and witnessed in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths or a Solicitor.
Step 4: Submit the Online Application
Log in to the ISD portal using your Public Services Card (PSC) details. Upload your scanned documents and pay the non-refundable application fee.
Step 5: Initial Review and Vetting
The ISD will first check your application for "completeness." If any documents are missing, they will return the application to you. Once accepted, they will conduct a "good character" assessment, which includes a background check by An Garda Síochána (the Irish police).
Step 6: Approval and Ceremony
If the Minister for Justice approves your application, you will receive an approval letter. You must then pay your certification fee. Finally, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony where you will make a declaration of fidelity to the nation and receive your Certificate of Naturalisation.
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | €175 |
| Certification Fee (Standard Adult) | €950 |
| Certification Fee (Widow/Widower of Irish Citizen) | €200 |
| Irish Passport Application (10-year) | €75 |
Total Estimated Cost: Approximately €1,200 for a standard adult applicant. Note: This total does not include fees for certified translations, solicitor/notary fees for witnessing documents (usually €10–€30), or postage.
Processing Time
- Standard Processing: The Department aims to process applications within 12 to 14 months.
- Complex Cases: If your case requires additional vetting or has gaps in residency, it may take 18 to 24 months.
- Ceremony Wait Time: After receiving your approval letter, there is typically a 3 to 6 month wait until the next available citizenship ceremony.
- Document Validity: Ensure your passport remains valid throughout the process. If it expires while your application is pending, you must provide a certified copy of your new passport to the ISD.
- The "70-Day Rule": In your final year of residency before applying, you must not be out of the country for more than 70 days. If you exceed this, your "continuous residence" may be broken, and you may need to wait longer to apply.