Irish Passport for US Citizens: How to Apply with Expert Help
US citizens can obtain an Irish passport if they are dual citizens of Ireland and the US.
If you are in the process of applying for an Irish passport, contact Total Law for assistance. Call +1 844 290 6312 or use the online contact form to get in touch regarding your application and other immigration options.
Page Contents
- What is an Irish Passport?
- Eligibility
- Required Documents
- Passport Photo Guidelines
- How to Apply
- Costs and Fees
- Processing Times
- Do US Citizens Need to Become Irish Citizens Before Applying for a Passport?
- Passport vs Passport Card
- Submitting an Irish Passport Application
- How can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an Irish Passport — and Why US Citizens Want One
An Irish passport is one of the most desired passports in the world. As an Irish passport holder, you can enjoy free movement throughout the EU as well as visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 187 countries worldwide.
An Irish passport is a type of travel document that shows proof of your Irish citizenship and allows you to travel freely within Ireland, the EU, and to visit many other countries without a visa.
Because of 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 adequate evidence such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, and other proof of identity.
In order to obtain an Irish passport, you must be an Irish citizen. For a US citizen who wishes to obtain an Irish passport, you must first apply for and be granted Irish citizenship. This can be done through the Foreign Births Register provided you meet certain eligibility requirements.
Am I Eligible for an Irish Passport as a US Citizen?
To qualify for an Irish passport you must meet a number of eligibility requirements. The primary requirement is that you must be an Irish citizen.
For US citizens who wish to apply for a passport in Ireland, you can do so if you are granted Irish citizenship by birth, descent, or naturalization. For example:
- If you or your parents were born on the island of Ireland prior to the year 2005 then you are automatically an Irish citizen and you can apply for an Irish passport without applying for citizenship first
- If you or your parents were born in Ireland after 1 January 2005 then you may have a right to automatic citizenship depending on your parent’s qualifications
- If you are a US citizen who has a grandparent who was born in Ireland then you could be eligible for citizenship by descent. You can apply for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration
- You may also be eligible for citizenship through the Foreign Birth Registration if your parent is an Irish citizen but was not born in Ireland
- You can also become an Irish citizen through naturalization
No matter which path you take to Irish citizenship, once you receive your certificate of naturalization and receive your original documents back, you can then apply for an Irish passport.
Documents Required for an Irish Passport Application from the US
Whether you apply online or in person, you will be required to submit a number of supporting documents as part of your Irish passport application.
These documents are used to prove your identity and eligibility for an Irish passport. The documents that you will need to submit can vary but generally include:
- Your current and valid passport
- Your original birth certificate
- Proof of address
- Other proof of identity
- A copy of your Public Services Card if you are a resident in Ireland
- Marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or de facto partnership certificate if applicable
- 4 standard-sized photographs
- Your Irish parent’s birth certificate
- Your Irish parent’s marriage certificate
- Adoption certificate if applicable
- Your naturalization certificate
- Your Foreign Birth Registration certificate
During the application process, you may be requested to submit additional documents. You must submit all documents by the deadline given so that your application is not delayed or denied.
Documents that are not originally in English or Irish will be required to have certified translated copies made. Original documents will be returned to you by post to the address you provide.
Irish Passport Photo Requirements (Online and Printed)
Inadequate passport photos are one of the main reasons that passport applications are rejected. Photos for passports must meet specific requirements.
Some applicants choose to have their passport photo taken by a professional who specializes in this purpose to improve the chance of their application being accepted. Passport photo services may be available depending on your location.
When applying online, you need to submit a digital photo. Specifications are:
- Photo must be in colour
- Photo must not be scanned
- Size no less than 715 pixels wide and 951 pixels in height
- Must be in JPEG format
- Digital photos must not have compression or quality loss
- Photo may not be digitally enhanced or changed
- The photo may not contain barrel distortion or other distortion
- The photo may not be larger than 9 megabytes in size
When applying in person or by post, you need to submit a printed photo. Specifications are:
- Photos should show a close-up of your face and the top of your shoulders
- Your face should take up between 70% and 80% of the frame
- Minimum size: 35mm x 45mm
- Maximum size: 38mm x 50mm
- Photos must be printed on photo-quality paper
- Photos must be printed at a high resolution
- Photos must be in sharp focus with correct exposure, not over or under exposed
- Printed photos should have no ink marks or creases.
- Photos may not have digital enhancement
- The reverse of the photos must be white and unglazed
- Photos must be in colour. Black and white photos are not accepted.
How to Apply for an Irish Passport from the United States
The fastest and cheapest way to apply for an Irish passport is online.
However, there are several ways to apply for an Irish passport.
- You can apply by submitting an online application form using the Passport Online service
- US residents must use the Passport Online service. Paper-based postal applications (Passport Express) are not available from the United States.
- You can apply in person at a Passport Office, although this method is not recommended for your first Irish passport. Typically this method is used for time-sensitive passport renewals
You can also use the Passport Online service to renew your Irish passport.
Even if you are applying for your first Irish passport you can use Passport Online if you are a resident of the United States.
Reasons for denial typically include missing information or documents.
What Happens After You Submit Your Irish Passport Application?
Sending your documents
You will be required to print an Application Cover Page, which must be signed and sent to the Passport Service along with your supporting documents. These typically include proof of identity, citizenship documentation, and photographs if required. Processing will only begin once your documents are received and verified in Dublin.
Tracking your application
You can track the progress of your application using the 11-digit application number provided at submission. This can be entered into the official tracking system to view updates at each stage of the process.
Return of documents
Your original documents will be returned to you by post once processing is complete. These are usually sent separately from your passport, so they may arrive at different times. Understanding these steps in advance can help avoid delays and ensure that your application is processed as smoothly as possible.
Do US Citizens Need to Become Irish Citizens Before Applying for a Passport?
You must hold Irish citizenship before you can apply for an Irish passport. This is one of the most common points of confusion for applicants. An Irish passport is proof of citizenship, not a route to obtaining it. This means that your eligibility for a passport depends entirely on whether you have already secured Irish citizenship through an approved pathway. For US citizens, there are three main routes to Irish citizenship:
- Citizenship by birth or descent, including through the Foreign Births Register (FBR)
- Naturalisation, based on a period of lawful residence in Ireland
- Citizenship through marriage or civil partnership with an Irish citizen (subject to residency requirements
For many US applicants, particularly those with Irish ancestry, the Foreign Birth Registration process is the most common route. FBR applications can take approximately 9 months or longer. You must complete the citizenship process in full — including receiving confirmation of your Irish citizenship — before submitting a passport application.
Irish Passport vs. Irish Passport Card — Which Should US Citizens Apply For?
When applying for Irish travel documents, US citizens can choose between an Irish passport book, an Irish passport card, or both.
Passport book
The passport book is the standard travel document. It is valid for 10 years for adults and is accepted worldwide, including for travel between the United States and Ireland.
For US-based applicants, the passport book is essential, as it is the only Irish document that permits transatlantic travel.
Passport card
The passport card is a smaller, wallet-sized document designed for travel within Europe and certain nearby regions. It is valid for use within the EU/EEA, the UK, and a limited number of other destinations. However, it is not valid for travel from the United States to Ireland or for other long-haul international journeys.
Applying for both
Applicants can apply for both the passport book and passport card at the same time through the online system. A combined application is available at a reduced fee (currently €100).
For most US citizens, the recommended approach is to apply for the passport book, with the option to add the card for convenience when travelling within Europe.
Irish Passport Fees for US Applicants
The cost for an Irish passport is:
- Standard 10-year passport: €75
- Large 66-page, 10-year passport: €105
- Passport card: €35
- Standard passport + passport card bundle: €100
How Long Does an Irish Passport Take from the US?
The processing time for Irish passport applications varies depending on the method that you use to apply.
Applications made through the online passport service are processed the quickest.
Processing times for first-time applicants are longer than renewals, as all documents must be verified. Current turnaround times are published at ireland.ie and should be checked before applying. Note that postage time to Dublin and return delivery to the US is not included in the official estimates.
Online passport renewals are typically faster than first-time applications. The Passport Service aims to process simple online renewals within approximately 10–15 working days, but this is not guaranteed and varies by season. Check current times at ireland.ie before planning travel.
The processing time for in-person applications through the Passport Office depends on the Irish Embassy or Consulate that you apply at.
Irish passport applications can be tracked throughout the application process.
You can see when your application has been received when you must submit your supporting documents, when your application is being processed, and when your passport is approved and being printed.
It is recommended that you wait to receive your passport before making travel plans.
How Total Law Can Help with Your Irish Passport Application?
With Total Law, your immigration advisor will assist with the passport application process whether it is your first passport application, or if you wish to renew your passport. They can ensure that your documentation package is correct and that your passport application has the best chance of being approved.
If you are not yet eligible for an Irish passport, your Total Law advisor will provide you with further advice to obtain Irish citizenship.
For further information, contact us today at +1 844 290 6312 or use our online contact form to get in touch with our team of qualified immigration lawyers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need a lawyer in order to apply for an Irish passport, but a qualified professional may help you to navigate what can be a complex process. If you require Irish citizenship, a lawyer is advised in order to ensure that you are taking the most efficient route to naturalization so you can receive your Irish passport in the quickest time possible.
If your parents are Irish citizens, you may be eligible for citizenship as a US citizen. You will need to obtain Irish citizenship in order to apply for your first Irish passport. Whether or not you are eligible depends on your parent’s residence status before and during your birth. Consult a professional such as at Total Law to determine whether you may be eligible for Irish citizenship.
It can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to receive your Irish passport from the time you apply. The fastest and cheapest way to apply for an Irish passport is online. The processing time depends on your application and the workload of the passport office.
There are many benefits to holding passports from two countries at once. Holding an Irish passport specifically allows you to travel freely within Ireland and the EU. When you travel frequently for business and you have two or more passports, you do not have to pause your travel to wait for a visa to be approved because the visa office has your only passport. Having an extra passport can make life more efficient for many people. An Irish passport also serves as proof of your Irish citizenship, allowing you to live and work freely in Ireland.
Yes. US residents must apply using the Passport Online service at ireland.ie. You complete the application online, then mail original supporting documents to the Passport Service in Dublin. Your passport is mailed back to your US address.
Yes. You must be an Irish citizen before you can apply for a passport. If you have Irish ancestry, you may qualify through the Foreign Birth Registration process. FBR applications currently take approximately 9 months, so plan well in advance.
First-time applications take longer than renewals because all documents must be verified and the Passport Service does not publish a fixed timeframe for overseas first-timers. International postage to Dublin and back adds additional weeks. Check current turnaround times at ireland.ie and do not book travel until your passport has arrived.
Possibly. If you were an Irish citizen at the time of your child’s birth and you meet the residency or registration requirements, your child may be entitled to Irish citizenship and therefore an Irish passport. The specific rules depend on how you acquired your own citizenship. Children’s passports are valid for 5 years rather than 10.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.