General Information on Irish Citizenship

Information leaflet No. 1

Changes in the law

The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2001 contains significant provisions which affect the circumstances of persons who wish to obtain Irish citizenship on foot of marriage to an Irish citizen or through naturalisation. These provisions came into operation on 30 November 2002.

The changes which came into effect on that date mainly affect you if you,

marry an Irish citizen on or after that date, and intend to apply for Irish citizenship on foot of this marriage, or
think you are eligible to apply for a certificate of naturalisation after that date.

For full text, see General Information on Irish Citizenship