Adult (18+) passport applications

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport.

To help us help you, please make sure:

• The information matches your current passport exactly. Have your passport with you when you complete the form.
• You enter the correct birth surname for your mother.
• Your photo meets our requirements. We accept most photos from one of our approved Digital Photo Providers. Photos taken at home are less likely to meet our requirements.

You do not need to send your current passport. If you renew an Irish passport, the previous one will be cancelled within 4 weeks of when you receive your new passport.

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport.

To help us help you, please make sure:

• The information matches your current passport exactly. Have your passport with you when you complete the form.
• You enter the correct birth surname for your mother.
• Your photo meets our requirements. We accept most photos from one of our approved Digital Photo Providers. Photos taken at home are less likely to meet our requirements.
• Submit your current passport to the Passport Service, unless this passport has been lost or stolen.

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport.

To help us help you, please make sure:

• The information matches your current passport exactly. Have your passport with you when you complete the form.
• You enter the correct birth surname for your mother.
• Your photo meets our requirements. We accept most photos from one of our approved Digital Photo Providers. Photos taken at home are less likely to meet our requirements.

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport.

If your most recent passport was issued:

• More than 15 years ago, you must apply as a first time applicant.
• Within the last 15 years, you can apply to renew it using Passport Online.

If you live on the island of Ireland you can apply for a first-time business passport using the Passport Assist Service.

Paper-based applications are submitted via the Post Passport Service in Ireland and Northern Ireland. You should expect an application to take approximately 6 weeks.

Business passports are issued at the discretion of the Passport Service. In order for your request to be considered, please submit:

• Current personal passport (or photocopy of all pages)
• Current second/business passport, if applicable
• Letter from your HR department demonstrating business case for second passport
• Company registration certificate
• Evidence that supports the need for a second passport, such as:
  • visa stamps in current passport
  • travel itineraries (future travel plans)

You can apply to renew your business passport using the standard Passport Online renewal route.

During the application process the Passport Service will contact you to request the additional documentation required for a business passport.

All applications for business passports are considered on a case-by-case basis.

If changing your name through proof of usage, we need 2 documents from 2 different sources which should date back at least two years from the date you make the passport application AND valid Government-issued photo ID in your new name.

At least one of these documents will need to be Government-issued correspondence (e.g. Revenue, Department of Social Protection etc or official Government correspondence from your country of residence if living outside of Ireland).

If you have applied for and been issued with a passport in your previous name during the past two years, this will void that period, and the 2 years' proof of usage period will commence from the date your last passport was issued.

Exceptions to this may be made where your passport was expiring before 2 years’ proof of usage of your new name has been built up. Contact us before applying for further advice.

The Passport Service does not accept deed polls to change the name on your Irish passport.

Proof of usage means that you are using this name in everyday life. We need your original documents but we will return these to you.

You should be able to supply items such as:

• Government correspondence
• Valid government issued ID
• Pay slips
• Utility bills
• Lease agreements

We do not accept:

• Photocopies
• Short-form birth certificates
• Laminated certificates
• Deed polls

It will take longer to process this application as it is a complex renewal.

The Passport Service normally requires that you have been using your name for 2 years before we can change your passport name.

If you have been issued with a passport in your previous name during the reckonable usage period, this will void that period, and the 2 years' proof of usage period will commence from the date your last passport was issued.

If you wish to change your name from Irish to English, or English to Irish, you have two options:

• Show that you have been using this name for two years.

or

• Show you have been using this name for 6 months and we will note your birth certificate version of your name on your new passport.

Proof of usage means that you are using this name in everyday life. We need your original documents but we will return these to you.

You should be able to supply items such as:

• Valid government issued ID
• Pay slips
• Government correspondence
• Utility bills
• Lease agreements

We do not accept:

• Photocopies
• Short-form birth certificates
• Laminated certificates
• Deed polls

Check if you are entitled to a Gender Recognition Certificate issued by the Department of Social Protection.

The documents required depend on whether you are renewing an existing passport or applying for a first passport.

If you want to change the name on your passport to your married name, you must submit your original civil marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.

If you have already been issued with a passport in your birth name since marriage, two years proof of usage is required along with your original marriage certificate.

If your previous passport was issued in your married name and you want your new passport issued in your birth surname you must submit:

• Your original birth certificate.
• Your original civil marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.
• Your separation agreement, your judicial separation court order, or your divorce decree. This must be certified by a solicitor or by the court. 

If you do not have the documents listed above, we will require proof of usage. If you have been issued with a passport in your previous name during the reckonable usage period, this will void that period, and the 2 years' proof of usage period will commence from the date your last passport was issued.

It will take longer to process this application as it is a complex renewal.

A passport will generally issue in the name of the applicant as it appears on their birth certificate.

Where an applicant has changed their name (for example, following marriage or civil partnership or proof of usage) and wishes to apply for a passport in their new name, they may still wish for their birth certificate name to be noted on their passport. In cases such as these, the birth certificate name can put as an observation on page 3 of the passport book.

If you wish to record your birth certificate name as an observation on your new passport book, and it has not been recorded as an observation on a previous passport book, you must include your original full civil birth certificate with your application.

If you want, we can include your previous passport number as an observation.

It is no longer possible to have an observation of “Also known as”, even if you had this on your previous passport. We no longer put your previous passport name as an observation on a passport.

In the vast majority of cases it is not necessary to include an observation on your passport. It is not possible to have observations noted on passport cards.

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport.

Jump to the relevant information:

• Born on the island of Ireland, now resident in Ireland
• Born on the island of Ireland, now resident in Northern Ireland
• Born on the island of Ireland, now resident overseas

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport.

Born on the island of Ireland, adopted by an Irish citizen, resident in Ireland

If you were born on the island of Ireland, were adopted by an Irish citizen and are now resident in Ireland, please submit the following original documents.

These will be returned to you.

• Identity verification form.
• Your adoption certificate
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as Government correspondence such as a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners. If you do not have these,  original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• Proof of name such as Government correspondence such as a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners. If you do not have these, original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification (PSC)
• You must submit an original government issued photographic identification.
  • The Public Services Card is the most efficient way for you to verify your identify. This ensures that your application can be processed quickly. We only need a photocopy of your PSC card.
  • If you do not have a Public Services Card, you must submit an original government issued photographic identification. This could be an original passport from another country or a certified copy of your driver’s licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority).

Born on the island of Ireland, adopted by an Irish citizen, now resident in Northern Ireland or overseas

If you were born on the island of Ireland, were adopted by an Irish citizen and are now resident in Northern Ireland or overseas, please submit the following original documents.

These will be returned to you.

• Your adoption certificate
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as government correspondence like a letter from the NHS, Social Welfare or HM Revenue and Customs. If you do not have these,  original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• Proof of name such as government correspondence like a letter from the NHS, Social Welfare or HM Revenue and Customs. If you do not have these,  original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification
  • You must submit an original government issued photographic identification. This could be an original passport from another country or a certified copy of  your driver’s licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority) or a passport from another country.

• If your previous passport was issued within the last 15 years, you can apply as an adult renewal.
• If your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you must apply as a first time applicant.

Please submit the following original documents. These will be returned to you.

• Identity verification form.
• Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s)).
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as Government correspondence such as a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners. If you do not have these, original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• Proof of name such as Government correspondence such as a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners. If you do not have these, original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification
• The Public Services Card is the most efficient way for you to verify your identify. This ensures that your application can be processed quickly. We only need a photocopy of your PSC card.
• If you do not have a Public Services Card, you must submit an original government issued photographic identification. This could be an original passport from another country or a certified copy of your driver’s licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority).

Please submit these documents for your Irish-born parent:

• Your Irish-born parent’s full original civil birth certificate. The version that includes the name(s) of their parent(s). We do not accept baptismal certificates or birth certificates that do not show the name(s) of the parent(s). We do not accept laminated certificates.
• If your Irish born parent’s name on your birth certificate is different to their name on their Irish birth certificate, you will need to link your parent’s identity to your birth certificate. For example, they could have changed their name through marriage or divorce. We will require the original documents such as a original civil marriage certificate or the separation agreement, your judicial separation court order, or your divorce decree. This must be certified by a solicitor or by the court.

Please submit the following original documents. These will be returned to you.

• Identity verification form.
• Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s))
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as government correspondence like a letter from the NHS, Social Welfare or HM Revenue and Customs. If you do not have these, original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• Proof of name such as government correspondence like a letter from the NHS, Social Welfare or HM Revenue and Customs. If you do not have these, original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification
• You must submit an original government issued photographic identification. This could be an original passport from another country or a certified copy of your driver’s licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority).

Please submit these documents for your Irish-born parent:

• Your Irish-born parent’s full original civil birth certificate. The version that includes the name(s) of their parent(s). We do not accept baptismal certificates or birth certificates that do not show the name(s) of the parent(s). We do not accept laminated certificates.
• If your Irish born parent’s name on your birth certificate is different to their name on their Irish birth certificate, you will need to link your parent’s identity to your birth certificate. For example, they could have changed their name through marriage or divorce. We will require the original documents such as a original civil marriage certificate or the separation agreement, your judicial separation court order, or your divorce decree. This must be certified by a solicitor or by the court.

Please submit the following original documents. These will be returned to you.

• Identity verification form.
• Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s)).
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as original government correspondence such as letter from the local government health services, local social welfare services or other local government services. These must be accompanied by a translation into English or Irish. Where you do not have government correspondence, original utility bills, or bank statements may be considered.
• Proof of name such as original government correspondence such as letter from the local government health services, local social welfare services or other local government services. These must be accompanied by a translation into English or Irish. Where you do not have government correspondence, original utility bills, or bank statements may be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification
• You must submit an original government issued photographic identification. This could be a certified copy of a passport from another country or a certified copy of your driver’s licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority).

Please submit these documents for your Irish-born parent:

• Your Irish-born parent’s full original civil birth certificate. The version that includes the name(s) of their parent(s). We do not accept baptismal certificates or birth certificates that do not show the name(s) of the parent(s). We do not accept laminated certificates.
• If your Irish born parent’s name on your birth certificate is different to their name on their Irish birth certificate, you will need to link your parent’s identity to your birth certificate. For example, they could have changed their name through marriage or divorce. We will require the original documents such as a original civil marriage certificate or the separation agreement, your judicial separation court order, or your divorce decree. This must be certified by a solicitor or by the court.

You need to apply for Foreign Birth Registration before you can apply for your Irish passport.

If you are a First Time Applicant and hold a Foreign Birth Registration Certificate, please submit the following original documents. These will be returned to you.

• Identity verification form.
• Original FBR Certificate or a certified colour copy (certified by a solicitor or notary public).
• Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s)).
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as original government correspondence such as letter from the local government health services, local social welfare services or other local government services. These must be accompanied by a translation into English or Irish. Where you do not have government correspondence, original utility bills, or bank statements may be considered.
• Proof of name such as original government correspondence such as letter from the local government health services, local social welfare services or other local government services. These must be accompanied by a translation into English or Irish. Where you do not have government correspondence, original utility bills, or bank statements may be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification.
  • copy of front and back of Public Services Card, or
  • original passport from another country, or
  • original National ID card from another country, or
  • certified copy of Driving Licence from another country,* or
  • certified copy of Irish Driving Licence*

*Copies must be certified by a Garda, Solicitor, Notary or the Issuing Authority

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport. 

If you were born abroad and adopted under Irish Law, we need your original documents but we will return these to you. Please submit:

• Identity verification form
• The adoption certificate by the adoption authority where adoption was effected, if adopted before 1 November 2010, or the Intercountry Adoption certificate issued by Adoption Authority of Ireland if adopted on or after 1 November 2010.
• Original Civil Marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as original government correspondence such as letter from the local government health services, local social welfare services or other local government services. These must be accompanied by a translation into English or Irish. Where you do not have government correspondence, original utility bills, or bank statements may be considered.
• Proof of name such as original government correspondence such as letter from the local government health services, local social welfare services or other local government services. These must be accompanied by a translation into English or Irish. Where you do not have government correspondence, original utility bills, or bank statements may be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification
• You must submit an original government issued photographic identification. This could be an original passport from another country or a certified copy of your driver’s licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority).

We also need your Irish citizen parent's original documents but we will return these to you. Please submit one of the following:

• The Irish citizen parent's Irish passport at the time of the adoption. If this is still valid, please send a photocopy, not the original passport.
• The Irish-born parent's full original civil birth certificate. The version that includes the name(s) of their parent(s). We do not accept baptismal certificates or birth certificates that do not show the name(s) of the parent(s). We do not accept laminated certificates.
  • If the parent's name is now different to their name on the child's adoption certificate, you will need to link their identity to the child's adoption certificate. For example, they could have changed their name through marriage or divorce. We will require the original documents such as an original civil marriage certificate or the separation agreement, your judicial separation court order, or your divorce decree. This must be certified by a solicitor or by the court.
• The Irish citizen parent's original naturalisation certificate OR original Foreign Birth Registration Certificate OR original Post Nuptial Certificate. This must be dated before the date of the adoption. 

Due to the complexity of applications in this category, we may request further documentation as the application is processed.

If you are a naturalised Irish citizen and are now resident in Ireland, please submit the following original documents.

• Identity verification form – this will be generated when you submit your passport application through Passport Online
• Original Naturalisation Certificate
• Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s)).
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of name such as Government correspondence e.g. a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners.
• Proof of address such as Government correspondence e.g. a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners. If you do not have these, original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
  • You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification (two forms of photo ID must be submitted)
  
  • Original passport or national ID card from another country
  • Photocopy of your Public Services Card OR Certified copy of your driver's licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority).

Please allow 8 weeks for your passport application to be processed.

Please do not book travel until you receive your new passport.

All first time applicants, including those who obtained citizenship through naturalisation, are required to provide an original civil birth certificate with their application. However, if an applicant provides evidence that they have taken reasonable steps to obtain a civil birth certificate and that it is not possible, we may accept alternative documentation on a case by case basis. Please contact the Passport Service for guidance.

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport.

If you are a naturalised Irish citizen and are now resident in Northern Ireland or Great Britain, please submit the following original documents. These will be returned to you.

• Identity verification form.
• Original Naturalisation Certificate
• Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s)).
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as government correspondence like a letter from the NHS, Social Welfare or HM Revenue and Customs. If you do not have these,  original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• Proof of name such as government correspondence like a letter from the NHS, Social Welfare or HM Revenue and Customs. If you do not have these,  original utility bills, or bank statements can be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification (two forms of photo ID must be submitted)
  • Original passport or national ID card or social security card from another country
  • Certified copy of your driver's licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority).

Please allow 8 weeks for your passport application to be processed.

Please do not book travel until you receive your new passport.

All first time applicants, including those who obtained citizenship through naturalisation, are required to provide an original civil birth certificate with their application. However, if an applicant provides evidence that they have taken reasonable steps to obtain a civil birth certificate and that it is not possible, we may accept alternative documentation on a case by case basis. Please contact the Passport Service for guidance.

Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your passport.

If you are a naturalised Irish citizen and are now resident overseas, please submit the following original documents. These will be returned to you.

• Identity verification form.
• Original Naturalisation Certificate
• Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s)).
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in your married name).
• Proof of address such as original government correspondence such as letter from the local government health services, local social welfare services or other local government services. These must be accompanied by a translation into English or Irish. Where you do not have government correspondence, original utility bills,  or bank statements may be considered.
• Proof of name such as original government correspondence such as letter from the local government health services, local social welfare services or other local government services. These must be accompanied by a translation into English or Irish. Where you do not have government correspondence, original utility bills,  or bank statements may be considered.
• You must submit one document as proof of name and one document as proof of address. It cannot be the same document.
• Photographic identification (two forms of photo ID must be submitted)
  • Original passport or national ID card or social security card from another country
  • Certified copy of your driver's licence (certified by a Garda, solicitor, notary or the issuing authority).

Please allow 8 weeks for your passport application to be processed.

Please do not book travel until you receive your new passport.

All first time applicants, including those who obtained citizenship through naturalisation, are required to provide an original civil birth certificate with their application. However, if an applicant provides evidence that they have taken reasonable steps to obtain a civil birth certificate and that it is not possible, we may accept alternative documentation on a case by case basis. Please contact the Passport Service for guidance.