Irish passport application
An Irish passport allows Irish citizens to travel to and from Ireland while serving as a definitive document to prove citizenship. Find out whether you are eligible for one and how you can apply.
Irish passport applications are often complex but our immigration team can help you to apply for a passport, for more information get in touch with our team today on (+353) 061 518 025.
Irish passports
The Irish passport is known as one of the most prized passports in the world. With an Irish passport you can benefit from either visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 187 countries. As well as this, Irish passport holders also benefit from free movement throughout the EU, which means that you can live and work in countries in the European Union without needing to apply for a visa.
In recent years demand for Irish passports has increased due to Brexit, in 2019 120,800 Irish passports were issued in Britain, whereas in 2016 just 63,500 were issued.
Because of this high demand, applying for an Irish passport can be a complex process. You will need to be able to prove that you qualify for the passport by submitting a substantial portfolio of evidence.
"I'm very happy with the standard of training received on the OISC Level 1 course, i passed my exam. Thank you!"
Liam Calvert
Posted 3 years ago
"My application was approved and a huge weight has been lifted from our shoulders this year "
Akeel Lakar
Posted 3 years ago
"We used this service for the spouse visa extension application to assure that all the information was valid and correct."
Nabil Anwar
Posted 3 years ago
Who is eligible for an Irish passport?
The Irish passport requirement to qualify for an Irish passport is that you must be an Irish citizen. There are several ways that you can obtain Irish citizenship.
If you or your parents were born on the island of Ireland before 2005 then you will automatically be an Irish citizen and you are eligible to apply for an Irish passport without making a citizenship application first.
If you or your parents were born in Ireland after 1 January 2005 then whether you have a right to automatic citizenship depends on your parent’s citizenship at the time of your birth and the residency history of one of the parents before the birth.
If you have a grandparent who was born on the Island of Ireland then you could be eligible for citizenship by descent and could apply for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration. You could also be eligible for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration if your parent is an Irish citizen but was not born on the Island of Ireland.
Alternatively, you can also become an Irish citizen through naturalisation. In order to be eligible for this route, you must prove that you have been legally resident in Ireland on an eligible stamp or visa, and also have built up enough reckonable residence.
The minimum threshold for reckonable residence is normally 1 year continuous reckonable residence in Ireland immediately before the date of your application, and 4 of 8 years’ reckonable residence before that.
How to apply for your first Irish passport
There are three ways that you can make an Irish passport application. You can either apply by submitting an online application form using the Passport Online service, by post by using the Post Passport service, or in person at a Passport Office’s counter service or at your nearest Irish embassy or consulate.
You can use the Passport Online service to renew your Irish passport from anywhere in the world. However, if you are applying for your first Irish passport you can use only Passport Online if you are resident in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States.
Post Passport is only available to those living in Ireland or the UK. If you wish to submit a postal application from outside of these countries, you must instead submit your postal application to your Embassy or Consulate in the country you live in.
It is not recommended to apply for your first Irish passport in person at a Passport Office, this method is usually used for urgent passport renewals.
The Passport Service recommends that you use the Passport Online service to make your application as this is the cheapest and fastest way to get your Irish passport.
Required documents
As well as completing the passport application form, you will also need to submit a number of documents as part of your Irish passport application that are used to prove your identity and as evidence that you meet the requirements for an Irish passport.
The documents that you will need to submit include:
- Your civil birth certificate
- Proof of address
- Proof of name
- Copy of your Public Services Card if resident in Ireland, or a national ID card
- Your original passport from your country of birth
- Civil marriage certificate if applying in your married name
- 4 photographs of yourself, 2 of which must be verified and signed by an eligible witness to prove your identity
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to submit other documents; these could include:
- Your Irish parent’s birth certificate
- Your Irish parents’ marriage certificate or parents’ civil marriage certificate
- Your adoption certificate
- Your naturalisation certificate
- Your Foreign Birth Registration certificate
Passport application fees
The Irish passport application fees vary depending on what type of passport you are applying for and how you apply for a passport. If you are applying for a standard 10-year, 34 page passport then the fees are as follows:
- Applications through Passport Online: €75 (+ €5 postage if you live outside Ireland)
- Applications through Passport Express – €80 (+€9.50 fee)
- Applications in person – €95
If you are applying for a large 10-year, 66 page passport then the fees are as follows:
- Applications through Passport Online – €105 (+ €5 postage if you live outside Ireland)
- Applications through Passport Express – €110 (+€9.50 fee)
- Applications in person – €125
What is the processing time for an Irish passport?
The processing time for Irish passport applications also varies depending on the method that you used to apply.
Applications visa the online passport service are processed the quickest, usually within 40 working days for first-time applicants and as little as 10 working days for non-complex passport renewals.
Applications by post through the Express passport service have a much longer estimated processing time of 8 weeks for both first-time applicants and passport renewals or replacements.
The processing time for in person applications through the Passport Office’s counter service depend on the Irish Embassy or Consulate that you apply at, you can find out more about the processing times on the Embassy website.
Irish passport applications can be tracked using the Passport Tracker, this will tell you when your application has been received, when you must submit your supporting documents, when your application is being processed and when your passport is being printed.
It is highly recommended that you do not book any travel until you have received your passport.
How can Total Law help?
Applying for your Irish passport can be a necessary but complex process.
Whether it is your first passport application, or if you wish to renew your passport, Total Law can assist you with your application.
We can assess whether you are eligible for an Irish passport and can work closely with you to ensure that your application is completed to the highest standards. Our immigration consultants can also help you to gather all of the documents that you will need to support your application and take care of ensuring that your application is submitted in strict accordance with Irish government guidelines.
For more information about the services we offer and what we can do for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today on (+353) 061 518 025 or reach out to us online.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are an Irish citizen then you qualify for an Irish passport. If you were born in Ireland before 2005 or you have a parent who was born in Ireland before 2005 then you will automatically be an Irish citizen. There are also other ways that you can qualify for citizenship.
If you have a parent or a grandparent who was born in Ireland then you could be eligible for Irish citizenship by descent. You can apply for this through Foreign Birth Registration through the Department of Foreign Affairs website. Once you have your Foreign Birth Registration certificate you can apply for an Irish passport.
Yes, British citizens can hold an Irish passport and a British passport. To be eligible you must hold both British and Irish citizenship simultaneously.
Yes, the Irish passport can be used to travel freely in the European Union, the European Economic Areas and Switzerland. This means that with an Irish passport you do not need to obtain a visa to live in or visit countries in these territories.