Who issues the Certificate? The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade issues the Certificate on behalf of the Government of Ireland. At present the Minister is Mr Eamon Gilmore TD, who is also the Tánaiste, or Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland.
Who can apply for a Certificate of Irish Heritage? The Certificate of Irish Heritage can be purchased either for yourself or as a gift for a family member, friend or colleague. The recipient of the Certificate must have an ancestor who was born in Ireland. To complete an application you must be at least 18 years of age. Adults may purchase a Certificate for children under the age of 18.
Why can’t a person born in Ireland receive a Certificate? The Certificate exists expressly to recognise those of Irish descent and as such is not available to those who are born in Ireland.
How much does the Certificate cost? The price of the first Certificate on an order is €40.00, plus delivery costs which are specific to each country. Second and subsequent certificates on an order cost €29.00. For more detail and to view approximate prices in US$, CAN$, AUS$, GB£. Value Added Tax will be applied, where applicable, to deliveries within Europe.
How much is a frame? The cost of a frame is an additional €60.00 to the cost of each Certificate, plus delivery costs which are specific to each country. This price includes the frame itself, securely positioning the Certificate in the frame and professionally packaging it for secure delivery, to give you a high quality finished product ready to hang. You have full refund rights if you find any defect and notify us within 7 days of delivery. Our Customer Service Team will be pleased to help you with any further questions. Value Added Tax will be applied, where applicable, to deliveries within Europe.
What benefits does the Certificate offer? The Certificate provides recognition of the recipient’s ancestry by the Government of Ireland. It offers no legal benefits or rights, but it is a beautiful item which honours the recipient’s ancestor(s) and symbolises their connection to Ireland.
I have difficulties accessing or using a computer. How do I apply for a Certificate? The application process is an online process and so you will need to seek help from a family member or friend, or through your local library. In cases of severe or unusual difficulty contact our Customer Service Team.
I have seen articles refer to the Certificate of Irishness,Irishness Certificate and Certificate of Irish Lineage. Are they referring to the Certificate of Irish Heritage? The name of the programme operated by FEXCO on behalf of the Government of Ireland is The Certificate of Irish Heritage. This has erroneously been referred to as the Certificate of Irishness, Irishness Certificate and Certificate of Irish Lineage, all of which are incorrect.