If a grandparent was born in Ireland, you may be able to become Irish by registering on the Foreign Births Register (FBR). Ireland wants original civil certificates for you, your parent and your grandparent, and processing takes about 12 months. No apostille is needed for FBR, so don't pay for one. What causes delays is a missing certificate or names and dates that don't match. We order the certificates, including your grandparent's Irish birth certificate, check the whole chain and send you a finished pack. Paper-trail check from NZ$299.
The paper trail, generation by generation
Here's what a typical New Zealand family's FBR file looks like. We fill in your version during the free document check.
Your full NZ birth certificate showing your parents, plus your marriage certificate if your name has changed. We order both.
Their NZ birth certificate and marriage certificate, and a death certificate if they've passed away. We order them. If they're alive, a certified copy of their photo ID.
Their Irish civil birth certificate, plus their marriage certificate and, often, a NZ death certificate if they settled and died here. We order these too, including the Irish birth certificate.
How it works with us
- Tell us the family lineWho was born in Ireland, and roughly when.
- Free document checkWe list every certificate and flag gaps.
- NZ certificates orderedAs an approved BDM Online organisation.
- Chain checkedNames, dates and places across 3 generations.
- Pack couriered to youChecked originals plus a sheet for your witness.
What it costs
| Service | All in |
|---|---|
| Paper-trail check and pack: three generations, every name, date and place checked, a written note on any mismatch, witness instruction sheet, finished pack couriered to you in NZ | From NZ$299 |
| Each NZ birth, marriage or death certificate we order | NZ$79 |
| Your grandparent's Irish birth certificate, ordered for you | Irish fee + NZ$49 |
| Extra research for a missing or mismatched record | Quoted before we start |
Prices include GST and NZ government fees. A typical family with four NZ certificates and the Irish birth certificate pays around NZ$750 in total. Ireland's own FBR fee is paid to Ireland when you apply online. See pricing.
No-risk start
Tell us the family line and we map the certificates for free. If you go ahead and we later hit a record we simply can't obtain in New Zealand, you're refunded our fee and any BDM charges we haven't paid yet. We can't control Ireland's decision, but we can make sure the NZ paperwork isn't the reason for a delay.
The witness rule people miss
Your application form, photos and ID copy must be witnessed by someone who knows you personally, isn't a relative and works in a listed profession, such as a teacher, doctor, lawyer, police officer or bank manager. A stranger behind a counter usually can't do it. We give you a one-page checklist to take to your witness so they fill everything in correctly.
What slows FBR applications down
- Paying for apostilles that FBR doesn't need
- Sending photocopies where Ireland wants original certificates
- Names or dates that differ between Irish and NZ records
- A witness who doesn't know you personally, or is a relative
- A missing marriage or death certificate in the middle generation
We prepare and check documents. Eligibility and registration decisions are made by Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apostille for the Foreign Births Register?
No. Ireland's FBR asks for original civil certificates, not apostilled ones. Save that cost.
Which NZ documents do I need for Irish citizenship through a grandparent?
Usually your NZ birth certificate, your parent's birth and marriage certificates, and NZ marriage or death certificates for your parent or grandparent where they apply. We list exactly what your family needs.
How long does Irish Foreign Births Registration take?
Ireland currently says about 12 months, processed in date order. Missing or incorrect documents can add months, which is why we check everything first.
How much does the paper-trail check cost?
From NZ$299 for three generations, including the check, a written note on any mismatch, a witness instruction sheet and the finished pack couriered to you in NZ. NZ certificates are NZ$79 each, and the Irish birth certificate is the Irish fee plus NZ$49.
Can you order my grandparent's Irish birth certificate?
Yes, when we have their full name, a rough birth year and the county or town. If the record isn't straightforward to find, we tell you and quote any extra research before doing it.
Do I need a lawyer for Foreign Births Registration?
Not usually. Most families apply themselves online. Where we help is the paperwork: getting the right NZ certificates and making sure the family line is consistent before it goes.
Sources
NZ Document Assist Limited is an independent company, not a government agency. We are not a law firm, Notary Public or licensed immigration adviser and do not give legal or immigration advice.