Different names on birth certificates

[Thehappy1]

Hi there, am new to this so need  some help with my problem. I have recently applied for an Irish passport, although I was born in the UK. My father was born in Tyrone as was my grandfather. The application was declined due to the fact the name on his birth certificate was Bernard Francis but on mine his name is Brian Francis. The Irish passport office want to know when he 'changed'  his name. He didn't..... He was always called Brian from a young age as his father's name was Bernard. As my father passed away 26 yrs ago and I was also raised by Foster parents, I have no way of actually providing the 'proof' they need... Has anyone else been in this situation?

[Lisajb]

Can't provide any help but I'm interested in the topic.

My husband is thinking about applying, his grandmother was Irish born.

But - big but - his mum was born a Meagher, and at some point "acquired" a different surname. We think this was because his grandmother was living with another man, and his mum was basically told "you're this name now." None are left alive to ask, and we doubt that Irish authorities would allow this, and instead need documentary proof, of which there's none, to explain the sudden shift in surnames.

I shall follow this thread with interest.

[aghadowey]

Hi there, am new to this so need  some help with my problem. I have recently applied for an Irish passport, although I was born in the UK. My father was born in Tyrone as was my grandfather. The application was declined due to the fact the name on his birth certificate was Bernard Francis but on mine his name is Brian Francis. The Irish passport office want to know when he 'changed'  his name. He didn't..... He was always called Brian from a young age as his father's name was Bernard. As my father passed away 26 yrs ago and I was also raised by Foster parents, I have no way of actually providing the 'proof' they need... Has anyone else been in this situation?

Bernard and Brian are interchangeable in Ireland but that won't be enough proof for your passport application.
Did he marry? if it was in a Catholic church under the name of Brian rather than Bernard the church register (not the civil registration) might record names of BOTH parents which would hopefully allow you to match both those names with his birth certificate to prove that Bernard/Brian are the same person

[garstonite]

Hi there, am new to this so need  some help with my problem. I have recently applied for an Irish passport, although I was born in the UK. My father was born in Tyrone as was my grandfather. The application was declined due to the fact the name on his birth certificate was Bernard Francis but on mine his name is Brian Francis. The Irish passport office want to know when he 'changed'  his name. He didn't..... He was always called Brian from a young age as his father's name was Bernard. As my father passed away 26 yrs ago and I was also raised by Foster parents, I have no way of actually providing the 'proof' they need... Has anyone else been in this situation?

What year was your father born ? and do you know what town in Tyrone ?
also
Tyrone is Northern Ireland is it not ?  don't they have British Passports ? and not Irish ?

[AntonyMMM]

I did a case for a client a little while ago with a far more complicated connection to their Irish ancestry - even turned out the grandmother who brought them up wasn't a blood relative at all (but a step-granny).

Ideally you want to find a document that has the person under both names on the same piece of paper ( as "otherwise" or "also known as"), but that isn't always possible to find.

So the alternative is to find every scrap of evidence that you can that supports the person being the same man - in the case I did I then had to put together an evidential analysis document (ran to about  35-40 pages), and using that the client did successfully apply for an Irish passport.

It can be done.

[aghadowey]

School records might be another resource to try although finding recent ones might be tricky since so many country schools have closed over the years.
What about siblings- might they be able to help?

What year was your father born ? and do you know what town in Tyrone ?
also
Tyrone is Northern Ireland is it not ?  don't they have British Passports ? and not Irish ?

County Tyrone is in Northern Ireland but people born on the island of Ireland are allowed Irish passports. People in Northern Ireland may also hold British passports.

[garstonite]

Well I never knew that - thanks - 71 and still learning ...lol
ADDED
My son has lived in Ireland for 27 years - is he allowed to apply for an Irish passport as well as his British ?

[Kiltaglassan]

My son has lived in Ireland for 27 years - is he allowed to apply for an Irish passport as well as his British ?

Have a read through these links for entitlement-

https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/#:~:text=Eligibility,born%20in%20Ireland%20before%202005.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/irish_citizenship_through_birth_or_descent.html

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/passports

[garstonite]

Thanks - appreciated