Newly obtained figures from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs show that annual Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications from U.S. residents rose from 11,601 in 2024 to 18,910 in 2025, an increase of approximately 63%. The 2025 total was also the highest annual total in the 2013–2025 figures and was more than twice the 6,984 applications recorded in 2022.
Measured over the longer term, applications rose approximately 816% from 2,064 in 2015 to 18,910 in 2025.
2013: 2,325 applications
2014: 2,771 applications
2015: 2,064 applications
2016: 3,383 applications
2017: 5,399 applications
2018: 5,117 applications
2019: 5,441 applications
2020: 4,215 applications
2021: 2,714 applications
2022: 6,984 applications
2023: 7,726 applications
2024: 11,601 applications
2025: 18,910 applications
2026 (up to and including May 18th): 6,605 applications
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the figures are based on applicants’ country of residence. The figures therefore represent applications from people residing in the United States.
Foreign Birth Registration is a process through which some people born outside Ireland may pursue Irish citizenship based on their ancestry. Once a person is entered onto Ireland’s Foreign Births Register, they become an Irish citizen and may apply for an Irish passport.
Irish citizens have the right to live and work in Ireland and throughout the European Union.
Journalists and other members of the media may request supporting materials, including the official response letter provided to Irish By Descent by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, by emailing outreach@irishbydescent.com. Please identify your publication or media organization when contacting us.
Irish By Descent, LLC is an online education company based in the Washington, D.C. area. The company provides practical guidance on Foreign Birth Registration and related genealogy research. Irish By Descent, LLC is not affiliated with the Government of Ireland or any Irish government agency.
