To think it's cheeky to apply for an Irish passport because of brexit?

[MyheartbelongstoG]

Just that really.

Thank you for replying. Why does the person need to be ' personally known' to the Witness? What does it prove? I'm just confused and stressed because I don't understand that if I can verify my identify then surely it's ok? How well do you know a neighbour iyswim?

It's not like they are asking for the witness to verify that the person is of 'good character'

I am sorry. I am not an expert on this or the best person to answer. I suppose my point was as a solicitor I will only do what it says. So I would look at the exact wording of what I am asked to confirm and if I can (eg that the person in front of me looks like their picture) then I would sign. If eg passport it requires me to state how long I have known that person eg my cleaner recently - I sat there with her and worked out the number of years precisely, then I state exactly that.

The whole system including passport applications is very difficult for people. Many don't know anyone who can sign the forms.

I would just try a few solicitors and see who will sign it. They may take the view that if you produce a passport, look like the photo they therefore know you particularly if it does not say over what period and just sign it. If the form is more about I certify this person has lived in Leicestor the the last 10 years and I have known them over that period and they do not know that then I suppose they would not.

It sounds like the wording is very confusing. We have some very silly difficult and badly worded forms in the UK.

Thanks Lucky, yes the wording is ambiguous and confusing.

@KnackeredOldWoman - to the best if my knowledge it means someone who has a legal professional standing such as your GP or a solicitor who knows you in a professional capacity and can testify that you are who you say you are. It cannot be your next door neighbour who works in the local shop. Does that help any?

On my Irish passport application I used the local bank manager as she knows me beacuse we took out a mortgage recently and it's a very small branch. Maybe your GP?

Because its about proving your identity. What you are getting someone to confirm is that the person in the photo and the person on the birth certificate etc are 100% the same person. IF they don't know you from Adam, they can't swear to that fact.
The idea is that a professional person (someone who could be in professional trouble if they lie or are mistaken about your identity, so wouldn't risk it) is verifying your identity without recourse to another form of ID. So they have to know you are who you say you are.

Apologies for bumping an old thread, but now it's becoming apparently clear beyond all doubt that Brexit is being negotiated by a shower of clowns, I'm beginning to think I should apply for Irish citizenship and need some advice!

I can apply via my maternal grandfather, who was born in Ireland in the late 1800s, came to the UK early 1900s, and died here in the 50s. My mother and myself are UK born. As far as I know, my mother has never claimed Irish citizenship.

First of all, I have no idea where my grandfather's birth (or death) certificates are. How do I go about getting copies of these? And what else do I need for registering as a foreign birth?

Secondly, how does it work with my children? I know they cannot claim Irish citizenship by descent because I never claimed it before they were born. What if I want to move to Ireland to live & work? Can they come too and then claim citizenship after a number of years? What about my daughter who is 19?

Also, how would it work with other EU countries?

I'm not currently planning on moving anywhere, but think it would be sensible to at least keep our options open!

You can't get a passport if your grandfather was Irish.

Was either of your parents an Irish citizen when you were born?

That's not true -- an Irish grandparent is fine, but you'll have to register yourself on the Foreign Births Register before you apply for the passport, which takes a few months.

"If one of your grandparents is an Irish citizen who was born in Ireland, but neither of your parents was born in Ireland, you may become an Irish citizen. You will need to have your birth registered in the Foreign Births Register – see below."

Yes it may be legal but I agree with the OP its cheeky that suddenly people are identifying as Irish citizens because it suits them politically.

As I'm from NI, I already have UK and Irish passports (I've lived in both Ireland and NI for long periods). I'm soon to get my Aussie passport though, wish I cold sell my other two passports as I won't be needing them any more! My son also has three passports, might come in handy in the future for him if he wants to work overseas.

I don't think it's cheeky, I think it's pretty sensible!

My DH is Australian but his father was Irish, so he also has an Irish passport (and therefore Irish citizenship). This will prove useful for my sons, as they would also be able to claim Irish citizenship, should they need to (as well as being British and Australian, although I think some places draw the line at more than 2 passports).

More importantly, if I understand the system correctly (and there's every chance I haven't got it right, or it will change) both my sons' children will be able to claim Irish citizenship too, should they wish. As things stand, DS1's future children can also claim British citizenship, but DS2's can't (unless we move back to live in the UK), because DS1 was born in the UK and DS2 was born in Australia.

How is it cheeky to claim what you are entitled to? Brexit or no brexit people would be able to claim an Irish passport I don’t see any issue with people claiming a passport based on their heritage.

Envy brings no reward OP. Just mind your own (Brexit) business. You've no control over what others do to make sure the whole mess doesn't affect them adversely, thank God.

I bet you'd never dare voice such ridiculousness to an Irish person in real life

It depends if you believe that citizenship confers some sort of responsibility to be loyal or something, I know some people feel like that. I'm more pragmatic, and would definitely have applied for Irish citizenship if I'd been eligible - my granda was Irish but they moved to Scotland just before he was born so I don't qualify. I do have Swiss citizenship though via DH and to his extended family's politely concealed outrage we chose to exercise our rights under the Switzerland/EU bilateral treaty and now live in Germany I will try to acquire German citizenship when we're eligible although Brexit may have fucked that up (the Germans allow naturalised citizens to keep their original nationality only if they are from EU countries).

First you’re telling people it’s cheeky, now you’re telling them the facts wrong and they can’t..why op?

Did anyone see the Tracey ullman sketch on this? It was funny.

Nice to note leading brexiteer nigel Lawson is going to live in France, it’s alright for the privileged eh!

They drastically need to change the rules in Ireland with regards to getting passports/claiming citizenship.

I do think it’s mostly to keep our Yankee cousins happy but honestly, if you’ve never set foot in Ireland, have no plans to and your grandparent on one side was Irish why bother?

I think I’m the only person getting my baby a UK passport - born in UK to Irish parents and an Irish passport holder. Just in case the rules change after Brexit. And he wants to live there. Or go to uni there. Or enjoy the benefits of freedom of movement. Or visit the Queen.

Have you been following the Brexit debate at all?

2nd generation Irish here, spent all my childhood holidays there (and many adult ones too.) I'll be looking into an Irish passport, nothing cheeky about it.

Also interesting Farage fact... first wife was Irish. There is a Gráinne Farage knocking about somewhere. Their kids could claim Irish passports.

I'm applying for my German passport as I have German parents. Never been to Germany. Why shouldn't I?

I bet you'd never dare voice such ridiculousness to an Irish person in real life

Actually It’s been a topic of conversations in my workplace - mostly because of the impact of a huge new diaspora on potential overseas citizen voting rights. That and Ian Paisley Jr encouraging loyalist L.A. to get one. It must take some amount of cognitive dissonance to be a loyalist these days.
Also the impact it is having on Irish people in Ireland renewing their passports as we are having huge delays at the moment (Passport express)

I guess they want you to suffer with the rest of us?
Weird.

DrRanj you can apply for both British and Irish birth, marriage and death certificates online. The British ones cost about £9 and the Irish ones were €20 I think.