Post
by esharknz » Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:07 pm
Not long been through the process myself. Got around 4 years as the spouse of an irish national (as my passport expires in 2014). Not a difficult process at all in comparison to other countries, basically just involves showing up at the GNIB (or appropriate garda station) with a marriage certificate, Irish spouse and both passports.
If you register at the GNIB for any length of time (I think it's 3 months plus) you are given a card there on the day (which I'm told must be carried on you at all times), I think this is what you are referring to as a residency card.
You don't mention what your current status is. If you are here as a tourist, they will more than likely extend this to allow you to stay until you get married (although not guaranteed) under a stamp 3 (no work). Once you are married you'll just need to go in again to get a stamp 4 and you are allowed to do what you want.