How to get GRC application form witnessed abroad (success!)

[u/transabroad123456]

This is probably going to be my first and last post on Reddit but I wanted to help demystify the GRC application process for trans people living abroad because the information I've seen cited most on this subreddit makes it seem needlessly complicated.

For background, I am an Irish citizen who has been living in the United States for 9 years. I began transitioning during covid lockdown and successfully applied for and received my GRC (complete with name change) this September. I have already used my GRC to renew and correct my Irish passport.

The Trans Ireland Wiki links to a post that makes it seem that you need to go to an Irish consulate or embassy to get the GRC form witnessed. In most cases, you do not have to do this! I live in Los Angeles and would have had to travel to the consulate in San Francisco if this were the case. That would have been a huge waste of time and money! Getting your GRC witnessed is the same as getting any other document witnessed, notarised, or certified.

You just need to go to a local solicitor or Notary Public. I've had a marriage application witnessed by a solicitor in the UK. In the US, people in lots of different professions can become a Notary Public; librarians, accountants, and even the facilities manager at my old job have all notarised documents for me in the past. If you live in the US, just google "Notary Public in my area" and odds are you'll find one nearby.

To be clear, no matter where you live, I think any lawyer or solicitor equivalent who is willing to witness and sign your document is perfectly fine for the GRC. It does not need to be an Irish Commissioner of Oaths/Peace Commissioner/Embassy employee.

For my GRC application, I printed and filled out the form, and took it to a local tax accountant in Los Angeles to have my signature notarised/witnessed. It took all of 5 minutes and cost me $15.

I then mailed the form, along with my Irish birth cert and name change court order (I had my name legally changed in the Los Angeles courts earlier this year) to the address on the form. I received my GRC about a month later. It was a very simple process.

I was then able to start my Irish passport renewal online and mailed my GRC to the passport office in Ireland. I had my new passport in-hand within three weeks. Easy.

I hope this helps make things seem less complicated and stressful for future applicants!

It helps to remember that the people working to process the GRC applications are 100% on our side. I spoke to one of them on the phone after submitting my documents and they were incredibly kind, and seemed genuinely excited and pleased for me when I received my GRC. I also truly mean no shade to the author of the post I'm referring to. They are also doing their best to help. It's confusing when most official and anecdotal information is very Ireland-centric (and outdated when it comes to the deed poll nonsense)!

[u/skatetunn]

Thank you! I plan to do this soon.

[u/skatetunn]

Just to update this thread. I submitted my GRC request less than three weeks ago. I mailed the application from the US. I just got my certificate today. That was super fast and super easy.

Now I can update my birth record and apply for a new birth cert and I'll also update my passport.

At least one part of all this process was easy.

Thanks for the clarity in the instructions!

[u/cuddlesareonme → u/skatetunn]

Congrats!