Irish citizenship: forms and documents
Everything you need to download and prepare for a citizenship application by naturalisation. All download links go directly to the official Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website, so you always get the current version of each form.
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Jump to: Proposed rule changes | Forms | Checklists by application type
Citizenship rules are set to change
On 9 September 2026 the Government approved priority drafting of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026. It would make naturalisation significantly stricter.
Nothing has changed yet. Applications made today are still assessed under the current rules, and the forms and checklists on this page reflect those current rules.
What the Government has announced
- Longer residence: the qualifying period of reckonable residence would rise from 5 to 8 years for most applicants.
- Language test: applicants would need to show proficiency in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language.
- Civics test: a new test on Irish civics, society and politics.
- Self-sufficiency: applicants would need to show they are economically self-sufficient.
Current rules compared with the proposals
| Requirement | Current rules | Proposed |
|---|---|---|
| Residence (most applicants) | 5 years: 1 year continuous before applying, plus 4 years in the previous 8 | 8 yearsReported: 2 years continuous before applying, plus 6 years in the previous 10 |
| Spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen | 3 years married or partnered and 3 years’ residence on the island of Ireland | Longer residenceReported: 5 years |
| Language | No test | English, Irish or Irish Sign Language test |
| Civic knowledge | No test | Civics, society and politics test |
| Income | Not part of the current ISD guidance for most applicants | Self-sufficiency requirementReported: minimum income level to be set by the Minister |
Other measures reported in the media
These have been reported by national media but the detailed General Scheme had not been published when this page was last checked, so they may change.
- Applicants would not be able to receive social welfare payments or housing supports during the naturalisation process.
- Language and civics requirements would also apply to spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens.
- Time spent in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (for example, people who arrived from Ukraine) would not count towards residence.
- Anyone who has breached immigration law could be refused citizenship.
- A new ground to revoke citizenship on public order and national security grounds.
What happens next
- Cabinet approvalCompleted on 9 September 2026.
- General Scheme publishedThe Department said the outline of the Bill would be published on its website within days.
- Pre-legislative scrutinyThe Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice examines the outline and can recommend changes.
- Bill drafted and debatedThe full Bill goes through the Dáil and Seanad, where it can be amended.
- Signed into law and commencedNew rules apply only from the date the law commences. Media reports say the Government hopes to have it in place by the end of 2026.
What this could mean for you
- If you already qualify under the current rules, reports indicate that people who have not applied by the time the new law commences would face the new requirements. The final transition rules have not been published.
- If you are close to qualifying, the Minister has indicated you would still be affected. For example, a person with 4 years and 10 months’ residence at commencement would need to meet the new rules. Reports suggest residence you have already built up would still count towards the longer period.
- If you have already applied, it has not yet been confirmed how pending applications will be treated.
- Don’t rush an incomplete application. Incomplete or ineligible applications are refused and the €175 fee is not refunded. Check your eligibility with the Residency Calculator and make sure your documents are certified correctly.
Official source: Department of Justice press release, 9 September 2026. Items marked “reported” come from national news coverage and are not yet confirmed in published legislation. This section was last checked on 17 September 2026 and is not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, speak to a solicitor or Citizens Information.
Forms to download
Print the forms that apply to you and bring them, unsigned, to your appointment together with your original documents and colour photocopies.
Certification forms
- Passport Certification Form Every applicant. Goes with the certified colour copy of your passport photo page. Download PDF
- Certification of Marriage Certificate Applicants relying on a marriage certificate. Download PDF
Statutory declarations
- Statutory Declaration – Spouse Signed by the Irish citizen spouse, confirming the marriage is genuine and you live together. Download PDF
- Statutory Declaration – Civil Partner Signed by the Irish citizen civil partner. Download PDF
Affidavits (only when a document genuinely cannot be obtained)
- Residency Affidavit If you have no strong official proof of residence for a particular year. Download PDF
- Passport Affidavit Refugees, or anyone who cannot obtain a national passport. Download PDF
- Birth Affidavit Adults who cannot obtain a birth certificate. Download PDF
- Birth Affidavit for a Minor Child applications where a birth certificate cannot be obtained. Download PDF
Using an affidavit instead of a document can delay your application. ISD only accepts affidavits where a passport, birth certificate or other record cannot reasonably be obtained, and may ask for proof that you tried.
Official portals and tools
What to prepare, by application type
Open your application type and tick items off as you gather them. Ticks are not saved if you leave the page.
Adult with 5 years’ residence (current rules)
You need 1 year of continuous residence before applying, plus 4 more years in the 8 years before that, and no more than 70 days outside Ireland in the last 12 months.
Spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen
You must be married or in a civil partnership for at least 3 years, living together, and have lived on the island of Ireland for the 12 months before applying plus 2 other years in the previous 4.
Child whose parent is a naturalised Irish citizen
Child of Irish descent or with Irish associations
Child born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005
For children not entitled to citizenship at birth who now meet the residence rules.
Refugee or stateless person
Only time after your refugee status was granted counts as residence. You do not need a national passport.
Adult of Irish descent or with Irish associations
The Minister can waive some conditions, based on your experiential, family, cultural and establishment connections to Ireland.
Points guide: identity and residency documents
Identity: reach 150 points in total
| Document | Points |
|---|---|
| Valid passport (certified colour copy) | 150 |
| Passport expired less than 365 days | 75 |
| Irish Residence Permit (IRP), certified | 75 |
| Passport expired more than 365 days | 50 |
| National ID card (EU Regulation compliant) | 50 |
| Certificate of Identity, Red Cross or UNHCR ID | 50 |
| Public Services Card | 25 |
| PPS letter (DSP or employer) | 25 |
| Driving licence, in date with photo | 10 |
Residency: reach 150 points for each year, with at least one strong document
| Document | Points |
|---|---|
| Strong: bank statement (at least 3 transactions a month for 3 months) | 100 |
| Strong: Employment Detail Summary (P60) or Revenue statement | 100 |
| Strong: DSP annual contribution statement | 100 |
| Strong: letter from employer confirming dates | 100 |
| Supporting: utility, phone or broadband bill | 50 |
| Supporting: rent agreement or tenancy letter | 50 |
| Supporting: medical or hospital letter confirming address | 50 |
| Supporting: credit card statement | 50 |
| Supporting: letter from school, housing authority or IPAS | 50 |
Before your appointment
- Bring the original document, a full colour photocopy, the printed certification form, and photo ID.
- Certification must be done in person. Copies cannot be certified by post, email or scanned signature.
- Members of An Garda Síochána, employers and friends cannot certify documents or witness declarations.
- Upload each document as a separate PDF or JPG under 5MB, named clearly, for example “2024 Bank Statement – Mary Byrne”.
- Paper application forms (Forms 8, 9, 10 and 11) are only available on request through the Customer Service Portal. Older versions are returned.
Fees: €175 application fee when you apply. If approved, a certification fee is due: €950 for most adults, €200 for minors and for a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen, and no fee for refugees and stateless persons. Fees are not refunded if an application is refused or incomplete.
This page summarises the ISD “How to Become an Irish Citizen Guide” as of 17 September 2026 and is not legal advice. Requirements and forms can change, so always check the official ISD guide before applying.