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Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956
No. 26 of 1956

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Whole Act 17 July 1956 Commenced on enactment

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Act included in collectively cited Irish Citizenship and Nationality Acts 23/1986, s. 9(2)
Fees prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 13
S. 2 amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 3
  15/2001, ss. 2(a) (b) (c), 9(3) (4)
S, 2 constr. of cert. refs to “father”, “mother”, “parent” 26/1987, ss. 1(2)(a), 5
S. 2(1) amended 23/2011, s. 33(a)
  38/2004, ss. 2(a), 16(3)
S. 2(1A) inserted 38/2004, ss. 2(b), 16(3)
S. 2(2) inserted 15/2001, ss. 2(d), 9(3)
S. 3(1) Transfer of certain functions under and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 4A inserted 30/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(a)
S. 6 substituted 15/2001, ss. 3(1), 9(3)
S. 6 declaration procedure prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 15
  S.I. No. 196 of 2002, reg. 6
S. 6(1) substituted 38/2004, ss. 3(a), 16(3)
S. 6(2) (a) substituted 38/2004, ss. 3(b), 16(3)
S. 6(4) deleted 38/2004, ss. 3(c), 16(3)
S. 6(4)(a) form prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 3 & schedule
  S.I. No. 196 of 2002, reg. 3 & schedule
S. 6(4)(b) form prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 4 & schedule
  S.I. No. 196 of 2002, reg. 4 & schedule
S. 6(5) form prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 4 & schedule
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 5 & schedule
  S.I. No. 196 of 2002, reg. 5 & schedule
S. 6(5) procedure prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 14
S. 6(6) inserted 38/2004, ss. 3(d), 16(3)
S. 6(6)(b) amended 33/2017, S. 9(a)
S. 6A inserted 38/2004, ss. 4, 16(3)
S. 6A(2)(e)(ii) amended 33/2017, S. 9(b)
S. 6B inserted 38/2004, ss. 4, 16(3)
S. 6B declaration procedure prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 1 of 2005, reg. 6
S. 6B(2) form prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 1 of 2005, reg. 3 & schedule, pt. 1
S. 6B(3)(a) form prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 1 of 2005, reg. 4 & schedule, pt. 2
S. 6B(4)(c) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 4
S. 7 substituted 15/2001, ss. 3(1), 9(3)
S. 7(1) declared unconstitutional  X. v Minister for Foreign Affairs and Others, Z. [Suing by his Mother and Next Friend Y.] v Minister for Foreign Affairs and Others [2025] IEHC 214, para. 233
S. 7(2), proviso added 23/1986, s. 2
S. 7(3A) inserted 33/2017, S. 9(c)
S. 7(3A) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 5(a)
S. 7(3B), (3C) inserted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 5(b)
S. 8 declaration procedure prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 15
S. 8 substituted 23/1986, s. 3
S. 8, repealed with transitional provision 15/2001, ss. 4(1) (2), 9(4)
S. 8(1) form prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 6 & schedule
S. 9 repealed 38/2004, ss. 5, 16(3)
S. 10 substituted 38/2004, ss. 6, 16(3)
S. 11(1) amended 21/2010, ss. 2, 175(d)
S. 11A inserted 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 226
S. 13 amended 38/2004, ss. 7, 16(3)
S. 13(2) repealed 15/2001, ss. 3(2), 9(4)
S. 14 amended 15/2001, ss. 8(a), 9(4)
S. 15 substituted 23/1986, s. 4
S. 15 forms prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 5, 6 & schedule, forms 2, 3
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 9 & schedule
S. 15(1)(a) substituted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 6(a)(i)
  38/2004, ss. 8(a), 16(3)
S. 15(1)(e) substituted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 6(a)(ii)
  23/2011, s. 33(b)(i)
S. 15(1)(e) form of declaration prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 9 & schedule, forms 6, 7
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 7 & schedule
  S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 94, rl. 3
S. 15(1A), (1B) inserted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 6(b)
S. 15(2) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 6(c)
S. 15(3) inserted 38/2004, ss. 8(b), 16(3)
S. 15(3) deleted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 6(d)
S. 15(4) inserted 23/2011, s. 33(b)(ii)
S. 15(4) deleted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 6(d)
S. 15A inserted 15/2001, ss. 5, 9(4)
S. 15A substituted 23/2011, s. 33(c)
S. 15A form prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 5 & schedule, form 2
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 9 & schedule
S. 15A(i) form prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 7 & schedule
S. 15A(1)(h) substituted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 7(a)
S. 15A(1)(h) forms prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 9 & schedule, forms 6, 7
S. 15A(1A), (1B) inserted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 7(b)
S. 15A(3) inserted 38/2004, ss. 9, 16(3)
S. 15A(4) inserted 38/2004, ss. 9, 16(3)
S. 15B-15E inserted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 8
S. 16 substituted 23/1986, s. 5
S. 16 form prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 5, 6 & schedule, forms 2, 3
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 9, 10 & schedule
S. 16(d) (e), paras. deleted. 15/2001, ss. 8(b), 9(4)
S. 16(2), inserted 38/2004, ss. 10, 16(3)
S. 16(2)(a) amended 23/2011, s. 33(d)(i)
S. 16(2)(b) amended 23/2011, s. 33(d)(ii)
S. 16A inserted 15/2001, ss. 6, 9(4)
S. 16A(1) substituted 38/2004, ss. 11, 16(3)
S. 16A(1)(b)(i) (ii) amended 1/2004, s. 16 (1)
S. 16A(1)(c) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 9
S. 16A(4) inserted 33/2017, S. 9(d)
S. 17 substituted 23/2011, s. 33(e)
S. 17 forms prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 10 & schedule, forms 8, 9, 10, 11
S. 17(1) forms prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 8 & schedule
S. 17(2) deleted 38/2004, ss. 12, 16(3)
S. 17(2) substituted 23/1986, s. 6
S. 18(2) form prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 7 & schedule, form 4
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 11 & schedule
S. 19 declaration procedure prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 15
S. 19(1)(c) amended 15/2001, ss. 8(c), 9(4)
S. 19(1)(c) persons empowered to make a declaration specified S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 14
S. 19(1)(c) form prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8 & schedule, form 5
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 12 & schedule
S. 19(1)(e) amended 23/2011, s. 33(f)
S. 19(1A)-(1P) inserted 30/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(b)
S. 19(2) form prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 11 & schedule, form 12
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 13 & schedule
S. 19(2), (3) declared unconstitutional Damache v The Minister for Justice and Equality, Ireland and the Attorney General [2021] IESC 6 (Dunne J) 10 Feb 2021
S. 20 substituted 23/2011, s. 33(g)
S. 21 declaration procedure prescribed S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 15
S. 21(1) substituted 23/1986, s. 7
S. 21(1) persons empowered to make a declaration specified S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 14
S. 21(1) form prescribed S.I. No. 569 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 12 & schedule, form 13
  S.I. No. 567 of 2002, regs. 1(2), 14 & schedule
S. 22 substituted 23/2011, s. 33(h)
S. 23 substituted 23/2011, s. 33(i)
S. 23 amended 15/2001, ss. 8(d), 9(4)
S. 27 applic. ext., transit. period 9/1994, s. 2
S. 27(1) subsection substituted 15/2001, ss. 7(a), 9(4)
S. 27(1A) inserted 15/2001, ss. 7(a), 9(4)
S. 27(2) amended 15/2001, ss. 7(b), 9(4)
S. 27(2), registration procedure prescribed S.I. No. 47 of 2013
S. 27(3) amended 15/2001, ss. 7(c), 9(4)
S. 27(3A) inserted 25/2015, s. 1(2), 31(a)
S. 27(4) amended 25/2015, s. 1(2), 31(b)
S. 27(5) amended 15/2001, ss. 7(d) (e), 9(4)
S. 27(5) forms prescribed S.I. No. 155 of 1994, regs. 2, 4, 5
S. 27(5) Transfer of certain functions under and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 27(5A) inserted 25/2015, s. 1(2), 31(c)
S. 27(6), subsection inserted 15/2001, ss. 7(f), 9(4)
S. 27(7) inserted 25/2015, s. 1(2), 31(d)
S. 28(1) amended 15/2001, ss. 8(e), 9(4)
S. 28(2) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 10
S. 28(3) inserted 38/2004, ss. 13, 16(3)
S. 28A inserted 38/2004, ss. 14, 16(3)
S. 28A form prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 1 of 2005, reg. 5(1) & schedule, pts. 3 & 4
S. 28A declaration procedure prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 1 of 2005, reg. 6
S. 28A(2)(a) classes of documents prescribed for the purposes of S.I. No. 1 of 2005, reg. 5(2)
S. 29 amended 15/2001, ss. 8(f), 9(4)
S. 29A inserted 38/2004, ss. 15, 16(3)
S. 31(1) Transfer of certain functions under and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 3 Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (Revocation of Certificate of Naturalisation) (Prescribed Forms) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 122 of 2025)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 498 of 2023)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 284 of 2011)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 294 of 2008)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 1 of 2005)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 567 of 2002)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Declaration of Citizenship) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 196 of 2002)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations, 1996 (S.I. No. 291 of 1996)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 89 of 1993)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 1987 (S.I. No. 148 of 1987)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 1986 (S.I. No. 261 of 1986)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 1986 (S.I. No. 260 of 1986)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 1983 (S.I. No. 279 of 1983)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 1980 (S.I. No. 137 of 1980)
  Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 1956 (S.I. No. 216 of 1956)
S. 6B Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 1 of 2005)
S. 18(2) Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Fees) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 294 of 2008)
S. 27 Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 408 of 2009)
S. 27(5) Gender Recognition of Foreign Births Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 539 of 2017)
  Foreign Births Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 47 of 2013)
  Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 155 of 1994)
  Foreign Births (Amendent) Regulations 1988 (S.I. No. 341 of 1988)
  Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 1985 (S.I. No. 363 of 1985)
  Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 1981 (S.I. No. 259 of 1981)
  Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 1980 (S.I. No. 94 of 1980)
  Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 1976 (S.I. No. 273 of 1976)
  Foreign Births (Amendment) Regulations 1974 (S.I. No. 349 of 1974)
  Foreign Births Regulations 1956 (S.I. No. 224 of 1956)
S. 28A Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 1 of 2005)