What is citizenship by descent?

Citizenship by descent (CBD) is the legal right to acquire a country's citizenship through one's ancestors, based on the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). Over 90 countries offer some form of citizenship by descent.

Which countries offer citizenship by descent?

Over 90 countries offer CBD. The most accessible include Italy, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Spain, and Portugal.

How long does citizenship by descent take?

Timelines vary by country. Italy: 12-36 months. Ireland: 9-18 months. Poland: 12-24 months. Germany: 12-30 months. Mexico: 6-14 months. Brazil: 6-12 months.

Can I have dual citizenship?

In most cases yes. The US, Canada, UK, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and most EU states permit dual citizenship. Notable exceptions: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, China, Singapore.

How much does citizenship by descent cost?

Costs vary by country. Typical all-in fixed fees: Italy $8,000-$25,000, Ireland $4,000-$9,000, Poland $5,000-$15,000, Germany $8,000-$25,000, Mexico $3,000-$8,000, Brazil $3,000-$7,000.

Is the consultation confidential?

Yes. Every consultation is confidential. Nothing you share can be disclosed without your consent. When you're matched with a professional in our network, that professional's own confidentiality and privilege policies apply to your engagement.

How long does the consultation take?

The first consultation is 90 minutes for video and in-office meetings, or 60 minutes for phone calls.

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. The first 90 minutes are confidential, candid, and free of charge. No retainer required.

What should I prepare for the consultation?

Bring whatever you know about your ancestor: full name, date and place of birth, country of origin, emigration date, naturalization status, and any documents you already have.

How quickly will I hear back after requesting a consultation?

We reply to every consultation request within 24 hours, in your timezone.

What consultation formats are available?

We offer private video consultation (90 minutes), in-office meeting (90 minutes, available in New York, Lisbon, and Mexico City), and telephone call (60 minutes).

Do I need to commit to anything after the consultation?

No. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.

What languages are consultations available in?

Case leads are available in seven languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Polish.

Ancestry route

Ireland Ancestry in United States

To claim Ireland citizenship by descent from United States, you need: (1) an Irelandn ancestor in your direct line, (2) proof they were an Irelandn citizen at the time of the next child's birth, (3) the chain of vital records linking you to that ancestor, and (4) apostilles and certified translations of all United Statesn documents.

Last reviewed July 2026 by Ancestra editorial team

Emigration era

1845-1922 (Famine and post-Famine), with later waves in 1950s-1980s

Volume

~4.5 million Irish emigrated to the US (Famine and post-Famine)

Key ports

Departure ports: Queenstown (Cobh), Dublin, Liverpool (transit). Arrival ports: Ellis Island (New York), Castle Garden (New York, pre-1892), Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco.

Consulate

Irish embassy in Washington DC, consulates in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta.

Push factors (why they left Ireland)

·Great Famine (1845-1852) — potato blight and mass starvation
·British colonial land policies
·Economic depression and lack of opportunity

Pull factors (why they chose United States)

·Industrial jobs and economic opportunity
·Religious and political freedom
·Family reunification chains

Naturalization & document retrieval

Finding your ancestor's records in United States

United States naturalization records are held by USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) and NARA (National Archives). For CBD cases, the critical question is whether your Irelandn ancestor naturalized in United States BEFORE or AFTER the next child's birth. If BEFORE, the citizenship chain is broken (in most countries). If AFTER (or never), the chain is intact.

Start with the Irelandn ancestor's birth certificate from their place of birth in Ireland. This is the foundational document.

Search USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) and NARA (National Archives) for the ancestor's naturalization record. If none found, request a formal "no record" letter.

Check Ellis Island, Castle Garden, and NARA ship manifests for the ancestor's arrival record, which shows date, port, and citizenship status at arrival.

Review US Federal Census (1900-1950, available via NARA and Ancestry) to track the ancestor's residence and citizenship status over time.

Obtain certified long-form birth certificates for each person in the chain between you and your Irelandn ancestor.

Related resources

Everything for your Ireland → United States case

Ireland country guide

Ireland document checklist

Ireland cost estimate

Dual citizenship: Ireland + United States

Have Ireland ancestry in United States?

Run our free 4-minute eligibility check. We'll tell you in writing whether you qualify for Ireland citizenship.

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