Life Hack: How to apply for or renew a passport, including for a child

What you need to know before you book that holiday abroad

Applying for a child's first passport is slightly different than when you are applying for an adult's first passport.

The Easter holidays are upon us, and if you’re not jetting off on a holiday over the next fortnight you’re likely considering a summer getaway — but is your passport in date?

We’ve all heard the horror stories of friends and family preparing for their holiday only to make it to the airport and realise either their passport has expired or it’s too close to its expiration date to travel. 

To avoid this awful situation, here’s what you need to know about renewing your passport or applying for a first passport for you or your child.

How to apply for a first passport as an adult 

There are two ways to apply for a passport: online or by post. An online application is quicker than a postal one. Online applications take 20 working days for first-time applicants and up to eight weeks if applying by post. 

For an online application you will need an email address, access to a printer, and a credit or debit card to pay. You will also have to send original documents to the Passport Service after you have completed the online application form.

You will need a digital photograph of yourself to include in your application — this will be the photo that appears on your passport. You can take this photo at home using a smartphone or have your photo taken at a participating photo booth.

You will also need to print off an identity verification form, which a member of the Garda Síochána must sign. Finally, you will print an application cover page which lists the original documents you need to send to the Passport Service — these include your full civil birth certificate as well as proof of address and proof of name.

If you are not applying online then you are using the Post Passport service with An Post. Fill in form APS 1, which you can pick up at Garda stations and any post office (it is not possible to download a paper application form).

How to apply for a child’s first passport 

Applying for a child’s first passport is very similar to applying for an adult’s first passport. Slight differences can be found in some steps, however.

A member of the Garda Síochána must complete the identity verification form for a child's first passport and you will need to bring their birth certificate. The guardian who completes the application and declaration must accompany the child when their identity is being verified. 

The Passport Service must get consent from all guardians but if your child has another guardian, they can ask another appropriate witness to witness their consent separately. If the child is seven or above, they will sign the form in the presence of the witness, but for younger children you can sign the form on their behalf.

If you are the sole guardian (for example a single parent or a widow/widower) you will have to provide an affidavit completed in the presence of a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths stating that you are the sole guardian. If the other parent or guardian is deceased, you will also have to provide a death certificate.

How to renew a passport 

You can renew online or by post. You won’t have to verify your identity when renewing your passport using the online service. If your current passport is due to expire in the next 12 months, you do not need to send it back but the previous one will be cancelled within six weeks of receiving your new passport.

Simple online renewals take 10 working days to process, while complex online renewals (like when you are changing information on your passport) take 15 working days. If you are applying by post, expect it to take at least eight weeks.

In urgent cases, you can book an appointment at the Passport Office in Dublin, Cork or London to renew. This is designed to accommodate people who need their passports urgently and don’t have enough time to apply in the other ways.

How much does a passport cost?

If applying through Passport Online, a standard adult passport costs €75 or via Post Passport with An Post it is €80. For a child’s passport through Passport Online, it is €20. If applying via Post Passport it is €30. An adult passport lasts for 10 years while a child’s will last for five years.