Irish Citizenship Nightmare: Curragh Resident Slams Department's Delay In Daughter's Application

Without the certificate, Welmie cannot apply for an Irish passport for her daughter.

An Irish citizen from the Curragh has slammed delays in processing her daughter's citizenship application.

Welmie, originally from South Africa, now lives in the Curragh, and is approaching her 6th anniversary of living in Ireland.

The process began with her own successful application on June 20, 2023, followed by her daughter's submission on August 24, 2023.

Despite payment upon receipt of an approval letter from The Department of Justice on December 29, 2023, the family have faced confusion and contradictory communication regarding outstanding documentation.

As of the latest update, her daughter has yet to receive her citizenship certificate, prompting concerns over travel plans.

"We are now on 84 days waiting for something to be printed and posted. And, that is where we are now, who knows how much longer? As a matter of comparison for my citizenship application, the time from me receiving the approval letter, making payment, being invited to a ceremony, attending the ceremony and receiving the certificate was 11 weeks," Welmie said.

However, it has now been 12 weeks since she was told that her daughter’s certificate would be printed and sent out.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Welmie has criticised the Department's customer service, citing unanswered emails and vague responses.

Efforts to address the issue through the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Immigration complaints email address were reportedly unsuccessful.

Without the certificate, Welmie cannot apply for an Irish passport for her daughter.

“It feels as if this Department doesn’t understand that they hold so much power," she said.

She added: “Gaining a new citizenship should be exciting, but now it is just frustration and just powerless…there is absolutely nothing you can do."

Welmie's daughter started her education in Kildare, and will be finished primary school next year.

She plays GAA and has taken part in the Kildare credit union quizzes.

“She’s fully immersed in the Irish way of life – both of us are”.

Kfm has contacted the Department of Justice for comment.

In response to emails sent by the mother, a spokesperson for the Citizenship Helpdesk said: "Minor certificates will be posted in the coming weeks - I apologise for the inconvenience."