Gather all the document before completing the application form (don't bother asking family for them as it'll take longer than just ordering them) - the postal address becomes clear once the form is complete (it’s the same address for most countries).
Complete the application form fully yourself and then ask someone to check it all - print the criteria and ask them to confirm that you have included everything - don’t go through it with them, let them do it alone, see if it’s all included and clear.
Use your personal email address, not a work one! Same for phone number.
Send all the documents, even if you aren’t sure its needed - i.e. marriage certificate (even if its complicated and you’ve been divorced and re-married etc), at worst they will ignore it, at best they won’t need to ask you for it (explain in a cover letter).
Put your application documents into plastic wallets - put a sticker on the plastic wallet explaining what each document is, i.e. applicant birth certificate (doc 1 of XX), applicant marriage certificate (doc 2 of XX), parent birth certificate (doc XX of XX), grandparent birth certificate (doc XX of XX).
Send a cover letter with your phone number and an overview of all the documents and what they are - I.e. put their list of required docs on a piece of paper and link this to your numbering system. i.e. a Cover Letter saying Applicants Birth Certificate, document 1 (first plastic wallet), passport copy document 2.
Photocopy your entire application once you’ve sent it - I’ve checked mine more than once over the last two years, to check it was 100% correct.
Make sure you use the same witness for everything - stamp not needed but a business card is accepted no problem. I asked them to use the words - certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me; followed by name, job, date and signature for all documents.
Photos: I had no problems with photos, and spent extra to go to a professional photo place who has the Irish passport requirements in their system (Max Spielmann in the UK).
UK applicants - as soon as you are approved for FBR entry - ask the NHS for a postal ‘reminder’ of your NHS number - you’ll need this as a government letter for proof of address or name - you’ll also need another original letter, ideally from the tax office or similar - I’m open to suggestions as to how I might get this! (Link:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online- ... hs-number/)
Keep an eye on Kildare Street by searching for ‘FBR’ - its the best source for real time updates about processing times, direct from Simon Coveney.
Don’t send a petition to the Queen of England…. little joke for those of you who have been on the forum as long as me
Finally… forget all about your application once you have sent it - if you succeed in doing this, let me know how