The 29th of April 2019 was an important day for 2400 individuals from over 90 countries who were granted certificates of Irish Naturalisation thus becoming Irish citizens. Sinnott Solicitors were well represented at the ceremony, with a large number of our clients becoming Irish citizens on this date. The grant of Irish citizenship is a privilege and the importance and value which it means to our newest citizens is not to be underestimated.

The conferral of Irish citizenship opens an abundance of doors to grantees. It allows individuals voices and opinions to be heard by enabling them to vote in referendums and presidential elections. It entitles persons to apply for and travel on Irish passports exposing them to travel opportunities which would previously have been impossible for many individuals originating from visa required countries. It gives people greater access to opportunities such as education when they do not have to pay crippling fees as international students. It entitles individuals to certain social supports which they previously may not have been able to access, and which may greatly improve their lives.

For many people it is the pride attached to the status of Irish citizenship which is most important to them in circumstances where Ireland is their home, they have committed themselves to the country and have sworn an oath of fidelity and loyalty to our great nation.

Passport Application

Once a person is granted their certificate of naturalisation, they often wonder what they should do next. We recommend anybody who has been granted a certificate of naturalisation to apply for their Irish passport as soon as possible, particularly if planning to travel.

First time adult applicants for an Irish passport must submit a paper-based application to the Passport Office using an APS 1E form. These are available at any An Post post office, garda station, or the Passport Offices in Cork or Dublin. A person must submit four passport photographs, their original naturalisation certificate, passport from their country of origin, original long form birth certificate and marriage certificate if applicable, copy public services card, certified copy photographic identification, proof of name, proof of address and the application fee.

We would recommend submitting the application through the passport express service which is the fastest method of processing (ten working days according to the passport office). For anyone planning a trip abroad or that precious holiday to the sun, we would recommend submitting your application well in advance in circumstances where the passport office will have a greater demand for passports at certain times of the year, particularly around holiday periods.

Register Your Vote

A persons voting rights in Ireland depend on their nationality. Irish citizens are permitted to vote at all elections and referendums. UK nationals can vote at Dáil elections, European and local elections. EU nationals can vote at European and local elections, whilst non-EU nationals can vote in local elections only.

A person must be listed on the Register of Electors to entitle them to vote. We would encourage all Irish residents to register to vote according to the above entitlements. In particular our new Irish citizens, we would recommend that you register on the Register of Electors to ensure that you have full voting rights so that your voice and opinion is accounted for in all future elections and referendums. Application forms to register are available on www.cheacktheregister.ie, from local authorities, post offices and public libraries.

Residing Outside of Ireland After the Grant of Citizenship

When a person submits their application for Irish citizenship, they are asked if they intend to have their usual place of residence in Ireland following naturalisation and the answer to this is always yes. There are occasions where people’s circumstances change which results in them leaving Ireland, for example due to offers of employment or family circumstances.

Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended, the Minister for Justice has the power to revoke a certificate of naturalisation where an individual has been ordinarily resident outside of the State for seven years unless they have registered their intention to retain their Irish citizenship. This is done by submitting a Form 5 (Form CTZ2) Declaration of Intention to retain Irish citizenship by a naturalised Irish citizen residing outside of Ireland. The form which is available at the following link http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/form-CTZ2.pdf/Files/form-CTZ2.pdf, must be lodged with the INIS, or with the nearest Irish Embassy or Consular Office to a person’s location.

We strongly advise all naturalised Irish citizens to file the Form 5 if ordinary resident outside of Ireland to ensure that they retain their Irish citizenship.

 

The Immigration team at Sinnott Solicitors has extensive experience in all Irish immigration matters. If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact our Immigration Department today on 00353 1 406 2862 or info@sinnott.ie.