Order an Irish Birth Certificate
NB: A Government birth certificate in Ireland can be easily obtained providing accurate information is given.
NB: If you require a certificate for an adopted person Click Here.
Birth certificates in Ireland are available from 1864. If a birth was never registered, no certificate can be tendered.
Please fill out this form as accurately as possible. All certs must be registered to apply on line. Any additional copies of Birth certs ordered at time of first sale will have a charge of €35.
Birth Certificates
BIRTH CERTIFICATES - FAQ
General Note: The information contained on this website is of a general nature. All Irish citizens are entitled to obtain a Birth Certificate.
Individuals should have access to accurate, comprehensive and clear information relating to social services and should be referred to the relevant services.
Births Deaths Marriages would like to acknowledge Comhairle, the government agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on social services in Ireland as a source of information for this website.
In no way does the information on Irish Birth Certificate or other information provided represent a legal interpretation of any relevant legislation and should you require further information please contact your local Registrar’s Office through the Department of Health.
Where should a Irish birth be registered and who can do it?
It is imperative that the child’s details are registered correctly to avoid any confusion at a later stage.
The following is required:
- Date, place, and time of the birth
- Male or female
- PPS No. for both parents
- Correct spelling of forename and surname
- Mother and father’s correct forenames and surnames
- Mother’s birth surname
- Occupation of parents
- Photographic ID – preferably passport
- Marriage cert for parents
Under the Civil Registration Act 2004, parents must register the child within 3 months. By doing so within the timeframe, the entry is linked to department of Social Community and Family Affairs and automatically a PPS number will be generated for the child and children allowance payments begin after a couple of weeks.
If you are late in registering your child you must attend the Social and Family Affairs Office to organise these yourself.
Maternity hospitals in Dublin
Rotunda Hospital
Parnell Square
Dublin 1
Phone 01 8730700
National Maternity Hospital ( Holles Street)
Holles Street
Dublin 2
Phone 01 6373100
Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital
Cork Street
Dolphins Barn Dublin 8
Mount Carmel Hospital
Braemor Park
Churchtown
Dublin 14
When do I need an Irish Birth Certificate?
Whether it is registering your child to start school, college, for a marriage, obtaining a passport or social welfare a birth cert is required.
If you choose to change your name when you marry, which at this time in Ireland is not mandatory, you may need a marriage cert for the bank, building society etc. in order to make this change on your accounts.
A death cert may be required by social welfare regarding pensions, life assurances etc.
How long after a child’s birth can I apply for an Irish Birth Certificate?
Under the Civil Registration Act 2004, parents must register the child within 3 months. By doing so within the timeframe, the entry is linked to department of Social Community and Family Affairs and automatically a PPS number will be generated for the child and children allowance payments begin after a couple of weeks.
Which is more useful, the short or long version Irish Birth Certificate?
Long Form Certificates are the official legal certs in Ireland accepted for legal and administrative purposes. A photocopy would not be accepted as it will lose its authenticity.
Short forms are no longer accepted for legal and administrative purposes in Ireland and are used purely for informative purposes. Short forms are generally approximately A5 in size.
