This article summarises the requirements if you wish to enter the UK or Ireland but you are not a UK or Irish citizen and can prove that you have a grandparent who was.

This is intended as a guide to the requirements but you should always contact the appropriate Consulate, High Commission or Embassy before proceeding further.

Ireland

See also Tracing the birth of your Irish Grandparent.

The following is a summary of the main requirements for gaining Foreign Birth Registration.

Persons over 21 years of age who, having been born outside the Country, had a parent who was an Irish Citizen (otherwise than by birth in Ireland) can become an Irish Citizen by application for Foreign Birth Registration.

Subject to Foreign Birth registration, others who probably can claim Irish Citizenship are those Great Grandchildren who were born after 17 July 1956, and whose parent was registered as an Irish Citizen on the date of his/her birth, or was registered as an Irish Citizen prior to 30 June 1986.

Where registration is being sought on the basis of having an Irish born Grandparent, evidence proving descent from that Grandparent is required. The following documentation is required and approximately four months should be allowed for an application to be completed:

• Applicant:
  • Certified copy of birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage certificate.
  • 2 recent passport size photographs (signed and witnessed)
  • Any three proofs of identity from -
    • Current passport
    • Bank Account statement
    • Pay slip
    • Driver's Licence
    • Identity card with photograph
    • Phone, power or rate bill or similar.
  
  
• Parent:
  • Certified birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage certificate
  • Proof of identity (e.g. passport) or Certified copy of Death Certificate, as the case may be.
  
  
• Grandparent:
  • Certified birth certificate, and if applicable, marriage certificate.
  • However, if the birth was before the start of Civil Registrations in 1864, a Baptismal Certificate is acceptable.
  • Proof of identity (e.g.passport) or Certified copy of death certificate, as the case may be.
  
  
• Notes:
  • Photocopies of documents are NOT accepted
  • Certificate must be issued by the Dept of Births, deaths and marriages and list parent's names.
  • If in doubt - please consult your nearest Irish Consulate or visit this site.
  • If you are planning to work in Ireland, please visit this site.

United Kingdom

The following is a summary of the main requirements for obtaining an Entry Permit.

Commonwealth citizens who can establish descent from a grandparent born in the UK (including Southern Ireland prior to 31 March 1922) may apply for an Entry Certificate. Valid for presentation at a UK port within six months from the date of issue. On arrival in the UK, the holder will be given permission to live and work initially for 4 years. At the end of this period the applicant may apply for indefinite Leave to remain in the UK at the Home Office. The right to remain expires automatically if the holder leaves the UK for a consecutive period of two years or more. A UKGP will be issued only to implement employment and must be obtained from the High Commission before departure.

• Documents required:
  • Relevant grandparent's birth certificate
  • Relevant parent's birth certificate
  • Applicant's own birth certificate
  • Applicant's marriage certificate (only applies to a married woman)
  • Applicant's passport
  • One passport photograph of the applicant
  
  
• Notes:
  • Photocopies of documents are NOT accepted.
  • Certificate must be issued by the Dept. of Births, Deaths and Marriages and list parent's names.
  • The above relates only to the requirements in terms of Certificates.
  
  Please consult your nearest British Embassy from where the relevant forms may be obtained, or visit this site.

Tony Fitzgerald is a professional genealogist based in New Zealand. He provides a Certificate Service throughout New Zealand and for his overseas clients via an Agent in London. If you would like more information on any of the record-types referred to above, or would like an appraisal of your own research, please contact him by email or visit his web page.