Birth Certificate FAQs
Death Certificate FAQs
Marriage Certificate FAQs


Birth Certificate FAQs

General Note: The information contained on this website is of a general nature. All Irish citizens are entitled to obtain a Birth Certificate.

Individuals should have access to accurate, comprehensive and clear information relating to social services and should be referred to the relevant services.

Births Deaths Marriages would like to acknowledge Comhairle, the government agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on social services in Ireland as a source of information for this website.

In no way does the information on Irish Birth Certificate or other information provided represent a legal interpretation of any relevant legislation and should you require further information please contact your local Registrar's Office through the Department of Health.

If your question is still not answered or you have information which may benefit others, please let us know by eMailing us on customerservices@birthsdeathsmarriages.ie. Thanks!

=> Where should a Irish birth be registered and who can do it?
=> When do I need an Irish Birth Certificate?
=> How long after a childs birth can I apply for an Irish Birth Certificate?
=> Which is more useful, the short or long version Irish Birth Certificate?

Where should a birth should be registered

A birth can be registered by the parents or guardian of the baby. With effect from 5th Dec 2005, Hospitals can NO LONGER register ANY births - they may take note of the details but DO NOT OFFICIALLY register the birth. Parents must present themselves at their local Registry Office and provide their PPSN (some photo ID may be required also). If parents are married, only one parent need attend to register as long as they have all the relevant information with them. For single parents who wish to register the fathers name, both parents must attend with Photo ID along with their PPSN.

Registration of a birth and obtaining a Irish Birth Certificate is a very important matter. The mother and father of a child are the primary people to carry out this task and are encouraged to attend personally for the registration of each child, which should take place within three months of the date of the birth. If the birth has not been registered by the end of three months, it can then be registered by the local Registrar on production of a Statutory Declaration made, by the parents (or one of the people listed below), before a Peace Commissioner or Commissioner of Oaths.

It is the responsibility of the baby’s parents / guardians to ensure that all information recorded in the Birth Register in respect of their new baby is correct and accurate, as it is this information that will appear on the official Irish Birth Certificate.

It is normal practice for the child to be given either their fathers or mothers surname (and in some cases, both). Should the baby’s parents wish their child to have a different surname other than their own entered in the Register of Births (and subsequently on any Irish Birth Certificates issued) then they must apply in writing to the Register-General. Any queries relating to the registration of a name should be directed to the appropriate Registrar of Births in the area where the birth originated.

When it comes to issuing Irish Birth Certificates, parents must note that the father’s surname can only be entered as the child’s surname in cases where the father's details are included at the time the birth is registered. In cases where a child is born to parents who are not married to each other at the time of the birth, then the birth can be registered so as to record the details of the child's father and this will be reflected on the childs Irish Birth Certificate. Whether the child’s parents are are married to each other, or the mother is married to someone other than the baby’s biological father, advice can be sought from the Registrar of Births in your area on how best to record the information.

Occassions when you will require a Irish Birth Certificate :

• An original Irish Birth Certificate will be required by your Solicitor when purchasing property
• If you are getting married always ensure that you have a copy of your Irish Birth Certificate available
• If you are applying for a Separation / Divorce you will be required to submit your Irish Birth Certificate
• Many Schools / College's request a copy of a pupil's Irish Birth Certificate
• Some religious activities e.g. Communion / Confirmation may require that you produce a Irish Birth Certificate
• Applying for certain benefits from various government departments will require a Birth Certificate to be submitted
• To obtain a Passport an Irish Birth Certificate is among the documentation required
• As a general means of identification when applying for certain services or opening bank accounts, a Birth Certificate may be requested.
• Adoption (in Ireland or Inter-Country Adoption) requires a number of copies of Irish Birth Certificates for the individual / couple who plan to adopt.

Please note that the information offered on this website is merely a guideline and relates to some of the legal requirements for a valid marriage in this State. Furthermore, if you decide to marry through a religious ceremony then you need to discuss the religious requirements with the Priest/Celebrant of your marriage. At the time of research this information is true and relevant however, should you notice any updates / errors or omissions, please let us know!

=> We are planning to get married so what should we do?
=> Do I have to give 3 months notice of my intention to Marry?
=> How do we make sure that our wedding is legal in Ireland?
=> Do rules vary for different religions when applying to Marry?
=> What is a Civil Marriage Cermony?
=> If we marry in a Church abroad, are we legally married in Ireland?

We are planning to get married so what should we do?

Anyone now planning to marry in this Ireland need to give a minimum of three months written notification to the Registrar for the district in which the marriage is due to take place. The 3 months notification will not commence until both parties have each notified the Registrar, who then responds with a dated “acknowledgement of receipt of the notification” and just in case you are ever asked for proof, you should retain this receipt for your records.
There is an exception to providing the 3 months notice and this is called a “Court Exemption Order”.

Do I have to give 3 months notice of my intention to marry?

In most cases Yes you do, however, in special circumstances such as a serious illness, you may be able to get a Court Exemption Order allowing the marriage to proceed without the three months notification. You should contact either the Circuit Family Court or the High Court in the area in which either of you live for details on how to proceed. It’s an informal procedure and you may apply in person i.e. you do not have to go to the expense of hiring a Solicitor (although you can if you want to). The Court will require you to show (a) that there are good reasons for your Application and (b) that the granting of such an Exemption Order is in the best interests of both parties to the intended marriage.

How do we make sure that our wedding is legal in Ireland?

First of all, The Family Law Act of 1995 dictates the following two requirements for a marriage to be legal in Ireland:
(a) The minimum age at which each person who would ordinarily either be a resident or non-resident of the State, may contract a marriage that is legal / valid in Irish law, is 18 (eighteen) years of age, whether they are getting married in Ireland or abroad. It may be necessary to provide proof of age (a long form Birth Certificate may suffice) and failure to do so can result in refusal to proceed and unlike some years ago, there is no requirement to obtain parental consent for a marriage. Should a marriage go ahead without either High Court or Circuit Family Court permission, (i.e. a Court Exemption Order), then whoever solemnises the marriage may be liable to pay a substantial fine.

And

(b) Each person marrying on or after 1st August 1996 must give a minimum of three months notice to the appropriate Registrar for the District in which the marriage is to take place. Also, remember that the onus is on the parties who wish to marry to ensure the notification is received by the relevant / appropriate Registrar of Marriages so don’t make any mistakes!

Do rules vary for different religions when applying to Marry?

The same procedures apply to anyone getting married in Ireland, whether you are an Irish citizen or a non-national.
For information on how to proceed, if you choose to get married in a Registry Office or Church, you should approach the Registrar of Civil Marriages for the district in which you live or intend to marry.
What is a Civil Marriage Cermony?
All Marriages, civil or religious, must take place at venues which are open to the public. Notice to the Registrar must be served and you must go to the Registrar's Office in person to serve the notice. This requirement is distinct from, and in addition to, the requirement to give the 3 months notification.
If we marry in a Church abroad, are we legally married in Ireland?

Couples are still bound by Irish law as far as the “capacity to marry” is concerned (age requirements etc.) even though they must meet certain foreign requirements. In some countries you may need a “Certificate of Freedom” (otherwise known as "Certificate de Coutume" or "Certificate of Nulla Osta").
Marriages that take place outside the State are not usually registered in Ireland except under specific circumstances as laid down by Irish Law. However, a foreign marriage certificate will normally be accepted for official purposes in Ireland, providing you also provide an official translation from a recognised Translation Agency (if it is in a foreign language!). Having got married abroad, if you need copy of your foreign marriage certificate, you can make enquiries by contacting the Embassy for the relevant country.

For Irish citizens in Ireland, please contact the Consular Section at the Department of Foreign Affairs, 72/76 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Telephone 01-408 2568

Marriage Certificates can be ordered on this website by clicking on the this link www.birthsdeathsmarriages.ie
Why stand in line when you can go online 24/7, 365 days a year and your certificate will be posted to you worldwide within 1 - 2 working day's or alternatively by phoning us on +353 1 801 33 33.

If your question is still not answered or you have information which may benefit others, please let us know by eMailing us on customerservices@birthsdeathsmarriages.ie. Thank You!