Passport Applications – Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I apply for a passport application?
- What is the recommended method for submitting passport applications?
- How long does it take to process a passport application?
- Is it possible to fast-track a passport application?
- How can I check the status of my passport application?
- The status of my application is showing as "Registered" for some time. Should I be worried?
- When can I collect my passport?
- Where can I get a passport application form?
- Why can I not download a passport application form?
- Why can I not apply online to renew my passport?
- Is there a different procedure for applying for a passport for my child?
- What are the entitlement to citizenship changes effective from 01 January 2005?
- Are there guidelines for the quality of photographs submitted with passport applications?
- Do I physically attach the photographs to the application form?
- What should I do if I lose my passport?
- What should I do if I find a passport which I had reported lost or stolen?
- What is the cost of an Irish Passport?
- Do I need a passport for a domestic flight?
- Do I need a passport to fly to Great Britain?
- Do I need six months validity on my passport for overseas travel?
- Can I get a passport number before my passport is printed?
- I need to get a passport quickly so that I can get back to the airport?
- I need to get a passport quickly so that I can apply for a visa?
Q. When should I apply for a passport application?
A. Before making any overseas travel plans, customers should check passport expiry dates and submit any applications in sufficient time before the intended date of travel.
Q. What is the recommended method for submitting passport applications?
A. The recommended method for submitting passport applications in Ireland is via the Passport Express service or the Northern Ireland Passport Express service, available through local post offices. The public counters and out of hours services should only be used by those who have a necessity to travel for reasons of family emergency. i.e. travel is necessitated by the death, illness or welfare of a family member.
Q. How long does it take to process a passport application? A. Details of the turnaround times for passport applications is available on the Passport Service website .
Q. Is it possible to fast-track a passport application?
A. Passport applications lodged in Ireland can now be prioritised on the basis of travel dates. Applicants should make contact with the Passport Service and produce proof of travel to avail of this service. An additional fee may apply. It should be noted that except in the case of travel in respect of urgent humanitarian needs, the fastest time applications can be processed is currently three working days.
Q. How can I check the status of my passport application?
A. Customers should retain the barcode number on their passport application and use this number to check the status of their application on the Passport Service website: www.passport.ie . This should be the primary contact point for information and the site is updated several times a day. It should be noted that applications submitted through Ireland’s Embassies abroad should make contact with the relevant Embassy for information in respect of the turnaround time of their application.
Q. The status of my application is showing as "Registered" for some time. Should I be worried?
A. There are a number of stages associated with the processing of passport applications and there are a different number of days required for each of these stages. The longest time period between stages is between the registered and checked stages.
Even though an application may sit at the "registered" status for many days, this is not a cause for concern. An explanation of Passport Application Status is available on the Passport Service website.
Q. When can I collect my passport?
A. Customers who have made arrangements to collect their passport, should not call to the public counter until they have confirmed on the website that the relevant passport is ready for collection. This is extremely important in order to avoid unnecessary queuing at public offices.
Q. Where can I get a passport application form?
A. Comprehensive information on obtaining passport application forms is available on the Passport Service website:
Q. Why can I not download a passport application form?
A. The passport application form has been specially designed for the Passport Service computer system. This includes the colour elements of the pages which are used to improve the quality of information scanned from the documents submitted. As the colour and format of the page is so critical to the scanning process only the forms provided by the Passport Service can be used.
Q. Why can I not apply online to renew my passport?
A. The Passport Service is currently examining the challenges of developing an online system for the renewal of passport applications. It is hoped that a system would be available in 2011.
Q. Is there a different procedure for applying for a passport for my child?
A. Since 1 October 2004, all children, regardless of age, must obtain an individual passport in their own name. Details on the requirements for the submission of a passport application for a child are available on the Passport Service website.
Q. What are the entitlement to citizenship changes effective from 01 January 2005?
A. Following the enactment of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004 the entitlement to Irish citizenship for children born after 01 January 2005 changed. Further information is available on the Passport Service website.
Q. Are there guidelines for the quality of photographs submitted with passport applications?
A. Four identical photographs of the passport holder must be supplied with each application. Two of these photographs should be signed on the back by the person who witnesses the application. This person should also enter the Form Number (which appears under the signature of witness strip) on the back of this photograph. Standards for acceptable photographs are published on the Passport Service website.
Q. Do I physically attach the photographs to the application form?
A. No. Photographs should not be attached to the application form, please do not use tape or paper clips. If there is more than one application form in an envelope the photographs will be matched to the form using the form number which will be written on the back of the photograph by the guard or person witnessing the form.
Q. What should I do if I lose my passport?
A. If you lose your passport, or if it is stolen , you should immediately report the loss to the Passport Office or your nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate. You will be asked to confirm this in writing, or if you are applying for a replacement passport, to complete and have witnessed the relevant section of the application form. Further information is available on the Passport Service website.
Q. What should I do if I find a passport which I had reported lost or stolen?
A. The Passport Service, in accordance with EU regulations advises international authorities, through Interpol, of all passports reported as having been lost or stolen. Once the passport is reported, the passport is cancelled and may not be re-activated. At this time the passport is not a valid document and under no circumstances must be used.
Q. What is the cost of an Irish Passport?
A. Details of passport fees are available on the Passport Service website.
Q. Do I need a passport for a domestic flight?
A. Ryanair has informed the Passport Service that it is their policy for travel on all of their flights, including domestic flights, for passengers to be in possession of a valid passport. Other carriers will accept documents such as driver's licence with photo; international student card; national ID card/Government issued photo ID cards; health insurance cards with photo; social security cards with photo; bus pass with photo; and work ID with photo.
Q. Do I need a passport to fly to Great Britain?
A. There is no legal requirement for Irish citizens to have a passport for travel from Ireland to Britain. The Common Travel Area is a passport-free zone between the two islands. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been in touch with the airlines serving this market and all but one, Ryanair, will accept a driver’s license, as evidence of identity for travel to Britain. Ryanair have informed the Department that this is their policy for travel on all of their routes across Europe. Other carriers will accept documents such as driver's licence with photo; international student card; national ID card/Government issued photo ID cards; health insurance cards with photo; social security cards with photo; bus pass with photo; and work ID with photo.
Q. Do I need six months validity on my passport for overseas travel?
A. An Irish passport holder does not need six months validity on their passport for entry to the United States of America. Irish citizens travelling to destinations outside the EU are subject to the specific passport controls and requirements of those countries. This means a minimum passport validity may be required for entry into individual countries. The exact requirements vary from one country to another so it is advisable to contact the embassy of the relevant country before making arrangements to travel.
All EU citizens have the right to enter and live in the territory of another member state of the EU for up to three months. A valid passport with no minimum validity is required.
The United States has an agreement with some countries (including Ireland) that allows you to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration. An Irish passport need remain valid only for the duration of the holder's stay in the United States. Irish citizens intending to travel to the United States are advised to check the conditions for visa free travel, particularly in relation to the requirement to obtain a travel authorisation prior to travel and the requirement to travel with a machine readable passport. Further information is available from the website of the US Embassy in Dublin http://dublin.usembassy.gov/
Q. Can I get a passport number before my passport is printed?
A. Passport numbers are allocated at the final stage of the passport production process. It is therefore not possible to get a passport number until after the passport is printed.
Q. I need to get a passport quickly so that I can get back to the airport?
A. Except in the cases of necessity to travel for reasons of family emergency. i.e. travel is necessitated by the death, illness or welfare of a family member, it will not be possible to produce a passport on the same day as travel.
Q. I need to get a passport quickly so that I can apply for a visa?
A. While every effort is made to accommodate applicants, it should be noted that there is a minimum period required to check applications and produce passports. Applicants are therefore advised not to make appointments for visas until they are in possession of a valid passport.
