Citizenship by descent
Citizenship by descent: getting the US documents right
US applications for Irish citizenship by descent hit a record 18,910 in 2025, up 63%. Every country wants a stack of certified US records, and most files get sent back over one wrong certificate. Here's what each one asks for.
Demand figure: Irish Times, April 2026. Each country's rules are summarized from its official pages, checked November 2026. Rules change; confirm with the consulate before you order anything.
Country by country
| Country | What the US documents need |
|---|---|
| Ireland (Foreign Births Register) | Original civil birth, marriage and death certificates showing parents' names for you, your parent and your Irish-born grandparent. Ireland's page doesn't ask for apostilles. A witness who personally knows you signs the form; a notary is on the list, but only if they know you. Fee €278, about 12 months. (Ireland) |
| Italy | Since March 2025, generally only if a parent or grandparent held only Italian citizenship, or another narrow exception. Long-form US records for everyone in the line, each apostilled and translated into Italian, and the application forms notarized and apostilled. New Jersey is split between the New York and Philadelphia consulates. (Consulate New York, which consulate) |
| Poland | Confirmation of citizenship through the consulate. Copies certified by a notary with an apostille; US records apostilled with a sworn Polish translation. (Polish Embassy) |
| Germany | A citizenship determination through the Federal Office of Administration. Notarized true copies are accepted; don't send originals, they aren't returned. (German Missions) |
The New Jersey detail that trips people up
New Jersey apostilles only vital records issued by the State's Vital Statistics office in Trenton, not copies from a town registrar. Order the certificate from the State ($25 for the first copy), then apostille it ($25 per document). (NJ vital records, NJ apostilles) Records from other states are apostilled by those states. Federal documents, like an FBI check, go to the US State Department, $20 each. (State Department)
What we do
- Order the right New Jersey certificates from Trenton and get them apostilled
- Notarize application forms and certified copies where a country accepts a US notary
- Coordinate apostilles from other states and the State Department
- Arrange certified translations where a country asks for them
- Check your stack against the consulate's list before you send it
We don't decide whether you qualify; the consulate does. Apostille services · Records retrieval · Book a notary
General information, checked November 2026. Not legal advice. MCC Solutions is not a law firm.
Questions
Does Ireland need my US birth certificate apostilled?
Ireland's Foreign Births Register page asks for original civil certificates and doesn't mention apostilles. Follow the current form's instructions.
Can I still get Italian citizenship through a great-grandparent?
Since March 2025, generally only in narrow cases, such as a parent or grandparent who held only Italian citizenship. Applications filed before the cutoff are treated under the old rules. Ask the consulate about your line.
Why was my New Jersey birth certificate rejected for an apostille?
New Jersey apostilles only certificates issued by the State Vital Statistics office in Trenton. A copy from a town registrar won't work; order a new one from the State.
Can a notary witness my Irish application?
Only if the notary personally knows you. Ireland's witness has to know you and can't be a relative.