Passports

The Passport Office, which is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs, issues passports to Irish citizens.

All Irish citizens are entitled to apply for an Irish passport. Services are provided by the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork and by Irish Diplomatic and Consular Missions overseas.

Passports are required for travel to all countries except the United Kingdom. (However, you should note that some airlines now require photo-ID for flights to the UK). With the exception of travel to the U.K., Irish citizens require a valid passport for travel to all other destinations in the E.U.

All EU citizens have the right to enter and reside in the territory of any other Member State of the Union for a period of up to three months simply by presenting a valid passport or national identity card: no other formality is required. Member States cannot set additional conditions concerning the minimum validity of duration of the identity card or passport.

Irish citizens travelling to destinations outside the EU are subject to the specific requirements of those countries for the entry of non-nationals into their territory and they should contact the relevant Embassy of those countries before they travel for the most up-to-date information on these requirements.

Validity of Passports

Infants (up to age 3) are issued with a 3 year passport.
Children aged 3-17 are issued with a 5 year passport.
Persons aged 18 and over are issued with a 10 year passport.
In certain cases (e.g. where a previous passport has been lost or stolen), the Passport Office may restrict the validity of a replacement passport.

If you have a query regarding passport services which is not answered in the following sections you should contact the Passport Office or your nearest Embassy or Consulate.

Related Releases

How to get a passport

Apply early! It is recommended, if you live in Ireland, to use the Passport Express service which is available at most post offices. This provides a 10 working day return service. If you are not in a hurry for your passport you can apply by regular post but you should allow 4-6 weeks for return of your passport by this method. If you need a passport in less than 10 days you will need to apply in person to the Dublin or Cork Passport office with a completed application and proof of travel, eg internet booking or travel tickets. If you have lost your passport or are a first time applicant you must allow 10 working days for the issue of your passport as all such applications must be thoroughly checked before being approved. If you live abroad apply to your nearest Irish Mission. In general allow 4 weeks for the issue of your passport in such cases.

Travel Advice

For information before you go abroad, see our Travel Advice section here.

Apply early!

Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for your passport. Check whether it is still valid well before you are due to travel. Some countries now insist that your passport be valid for at least six months after the start of your visit, so check the expiry date carefully.

The busiest period for the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork is from Easter up to end July. During this time, please allow six weeks for your application to be processed if you apply by regular post and avoid calling to the Passport Offices in person unless this is absolutely necessary.
If you live in Ireland, or in areas of Great Britain or Northern Ireland, which provide the Passport Express Service, you are strongly encouraged to use this service which provides a 10 working day return service.

Seirbhísí Pas

Tá Seirbhísí Pas trí Ghaeilge ar fáil do gach saoránach Éireannach. Is é polasaí Oifig na bPasanna déileáil le hiarratasóirí agus comhfhreagras a fhreagairt trí Ghaeilge, nuair a iarrtar é.
Más mian leat labhairt le ball foirne le Gaeilge in Oifig na bPasanna, cuir é sin in iúl, le do thoil, agus beidh áthas orainn freastal ort dá réir.

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