Ireland · Citizenship & passports
Irish Citizenship Application
Step-by-step help preparing your Irish naturalisation application — eligibility, reckonable residence, proofs and the online form.
- Decided by:
- Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), Department of Justice on behalf of the Minister for Justice
- Information checked:
- Standard residence
- 5 years in the last 9
- including 1 continuous year before applying
- Spouse / civil partner of an Irish citizen
- 3 years in the last 5
- married or in a civil partnership for 3+ years
- Application fee
- €175
- official, non-refundable (Oct 2026)
- Certification fee if approved
- €950
- standard adult; €200 for minors (Oct 2026)
Official figures as published by the relevant authority when we last checked. They can change — always confirm on the official website before paying.
Overview
Becoming an Irish citizen by naturalisation is a major milestone, but the application is detailed. You have to show enough reckonable residence, prove your identity and every year of residence with the right documents, have copies certified correctly and make formal declarations.
SJ Consultancy Ireland gives you expert guidance and document support so your application is complete, consistent and submitted without avoidable mistakes. Our aim is a simple, hassle-free process — your dream, our support.
The decision is made by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) on behalf of the Minister for Justice. We help you prepare a strong application; we cannot influence or guarantee the outcome.
Who it's for
This service is for
- Adults who have lived in Ireland on a reckonable immigration permission (for example Stamp 1, 1G, 3, 4 or 0) and are approaching five years' residence.
- Spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens applying under the three-year route.
- Parents applying for their children (minors) once a parent has naturalised or the child meets the residence conditions.
- Anyone unsure whether time spent on a particular stamp counts towards citizenship.
Common challenges we solve
- Working out whether you have enough reckonable residence, including the 70-day absence rule in the final year.
- Knowing which documents score enough points for identity and for each year of residence.
- Getting copies certified by the right person — Gardaí cannot certify naturalisation documents.
- Avoiding refusals or lost fees caused by missing documents, gaps in permission or inconsistent dates.
How we help
Our support for Irish Citizenship Application includes:
- Initial eligibility review, including a reckonable residence and travel-days check.
- A personalised checklist of identity and residence proofs for each year you are relying on.
- Review of your documents for gaps, name or date inconsistencies and missing years.
- Guidance on certification and statutory declarations, and who can sign them.
- Help completing the online application on the ISD Online Form Portal.
- Support responding to any requests for further information after you apply.
Benefits of working with us
- Fewer avoidable mistakes in residence calculations and proofs.
- A clear, personalised checklist instead of guesswork.
- Super fast responses from our team while you prepare.
- Confidential handling of your personal documents.
Eligibility & requirements
The main adult route requires the following. Other routes exist for spouses and civil partners, minors, people of Irish descent or associations, and refugees.
- One year of continuous reckonable residence immediately before you apply, plus four years in the eight years before that (five years in the last nine in total).
- During that final year you may be outside Ireland for up to 70 days; up to 30 more days may be allowed in exceptional circumstances. More than 100 days makes an application ineligible.
- Time on Stamps 0, 1, 1G, 3, 4, 5 and 6 generally counts. Time on student Stamps 2 and 2A, undocumented time and time as an international protection applicant generally do not.
- Gaps where your permission had expired before renewal do not count and can make an application ineligible.
- You must be of good character and intend to continue living in Ireland.
Documents you may need
ISD uses a points system for identity (150 points) and for each year of residence (150 points per year). Typical documents include:
- A certified colour copy of your current passport's biographical page, with the Passport Certification Form.
- Your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards for the period you are relying on.
- Strong residence proofs for each year, such as Revenue Employment Detail Summaries, bank statements or employer letters.
- Supporting residence proofs such as utility bills, tenancy agreements or GP letters.
- A statutory declaration of good character, and the spouse/civil partner declaration where relevant.
- Professional translations of any document not in English.
Copies must be certified in person by a practising solicitor, commissioner for oaths, peace commissioner or notary public. We'll give you a checklist tailored to your situation.
How it works
Step 1: Initial chat
Tell us about your residence history and stamps by WhatsApp, phone or the enquiry form. We'll quickly tell you whether you appear to be ready to apply.
Step 2: Residence & document plan
We calculate your reckonable residence, check your travel days and send you a clear checklist of proofs for identity and each year.
Step 3: Document review
We check every document for gaps and inconsistencies and explain what needs certifying or declaring.
Step 4: Online application
We help you complete the ISD online application accurately and pay the official €175 application fee to ISD.
Step 5: After you apply
We support you with e-vetting and any requests for further documents — ISD normally allows 28 days to respond.
Step 6: Decision & ceremony
If approved, you pay the certification fee and attend a citizenship ceremony, where you make the declaration of fidelity and receive your certificate.
Important to know
- Processing times are set by ISD and vary; official guidance currently indicates many applications take 12 months or longer.
- The €175 application fee is not refundable if an application is refused or found ineligible.
- Providing false or misleading information is an offence and can lead to refusal or revocation.
- SJ Consultancy is an independent consultancy and is not part of, or affiliated with, ISD or the Department of Justice.
SJ Consultancy Ireland is an independent consultancy. The decision on your application is made by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), Department of Justice on behalf of the Minister for Justice. Official fees are paid directly to the authority. This page is general guidance, not legal advice.
Irish Citizenship Application FAQs
Does time on a student Stamp 2 count towards citizenship?
Generally no. Time on Stamp 2 or 2A is not reckonable, although limited discretion applies to some young adults who came to Ireland as children. We'll check your exact history.
How many days can I travel outside Ireland in the year before applying?
Up to 70 days in the 12 months before you apply, with up to 30 additional days possible in exceptional circumstances. Over 100 days makes the application ineligible.
Who can certify my documents?
A practising solicitor, commissioner for oaths, peace commissioner or notary public, in person. Members of An Garda Síochána cannot certify naturalisation documents.
Can I apply for an Irish passport as soon as my application is approved?
You can apply for an Irish passport once you have your naturalisation certificate, which is issued after the citizenship ceremony. We can help with that application too.
What happens to my Indian passport after I become Irish?
Indian citizenship ends when you voluntarily acquire another citizenship, so you will need to surrender your Indian passport. See our Indian Passport Surrender and OCI Application services.
Official sources
We check requirements against these official sources. Rules, fees and processing times change, so please confirm the latest position there.