An IMGW News Report
In 2024, the Irish Passport Service received 31,825 applications from the United States, reflecting a 9.7% increase from the previous year. Notably, November 2024 saw 3,692 applications—the highest monthly figure from the U.S. in a decade.
This surge is largely due to Americans with Irish ancestry seeking citizenship. Ireland’s laws allow individuals with at least one Irish grandparent to apply for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration (FBR). In 2024, there were 11,601 FBR applications from the U.S., up from 7,726 in 2023, accounting for 27% of all FBR applications that year.
The Department of Foreign Affairs encourages applicants to use the Passport Online service, which is available to 99.9% of applicants worldwide. Processing times for online applications are generally faster:
- Simple adult renewals: Approximately 10 working days.
- Complex renewals (e.g., name changes): Around 15 working days.
- First-time applications: Approximately 20 working days.
In contrast, paper applications submitted via the Post Passport service have a turnaround time of about eight weeks.
The increasing number of U.S. citizens applying for Irish passports highlights the enduring connection between Ireland and its diaspora. As more individuals explore their Irish heritage and the benefits of Irish citizenship, the Passport Service remains committed to facilitating this process efficiently.
