Can I apply for an Irish passport?
Yes, if you're an Irish citizen — and Passport Online is the cheapest and fastest route. A standard 10-year adult passport book costs €75 online (34-page); the larger 66-page book is €105. A standard 10-year child book is €30 (a 5-year book for under-3s is €20), plus a small postal fee. You apply online and post any supporting documents. First-time adult applicants and all child applications need more identity and consent checks, so they take longer. A Passport Card (for EU/EEA/Swiss travel) costs €35 and needs a valid passport book. Citizens born abroad may first need to be entered in the Foreign Births Register. In short: yes — apply online, but allow extra time for first-time and child applications.
📋 The rules
- Must be an Irish citizen
- 10-year adult book: €75 online (66-page €105)
- 10-year child book: €30 (under-3s €20)
- Passport Online is cheapest and fastest
- Passport Card for EU travel: €35
🔓 Exceptions
- All child applications need every guardian's consent ('complex')
- First-time adults face longer identity verification
- Those born abroad may need the Foreign Births Register first
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There are no fines, but processing time is the real risk. Simple adult online renewals are quoted at around 10 working days, while first-time applications and all child applications take significantly longer (often 15–20+ working days), and peak season (roughly March–June) stretches this further. Always check the live turnaround tracker before booking travel. Fees are €75 (10-year adult book), €105 (66-page), €30 (child), €20 (under-3s) and €35 (Passport Card). Beware a myth: "I can renew with a fast online turnaround for my child" is false — child renewals are never the quick option, because guardian consent must be verified for every application. To apply: use Passport Online, submit good photos and documents, and apply well before any travel.
📎 Official sources
- DFA — passport fees →
- DFA — Passport Online →
- Citizens Information — applying for or renewing an Irish passport →
❓ Frequently asked
How much is an Irish passport?
A standard 10-year adult passport book costs €75 when you apply online, or €105 for the larger 66-page book. A 10-year child passport book is €30, and a 5-year book for children under 3 is €20. A small postal fee is added, and a Passport Card for EU/EEA and Swiss travel costs €35.
What's the fastest way to apply?
Passport Online is both the cheapest and the fastest route. You complete the application online and post any required supporting documents. Simple adult renewals are quoted at around ten working days, though first-time applications and all child applications take longer because of the extra identity and consent checks involved.
How long does a passport take?
It depends on the type of application. A straightforward adult online renewal is generally quoted at about ten working days, while first-time adult applications and all child applications often take 15 to 20 working days or more. The busy season, roughly March to June, can stretch this, so always check the live tracker before booking travel.
Why do child passports take longer?
Every child passport application needs the consent of all the child's guardians, so they're treated as complex applications and the consent has to be verified. This applies even to renewals, which means a child passport is never the quick option. It's wise to apply well in advance of any planned travel.
Can I apply if I was born abroad?
You can, but you must be an Irish citizen. If your claim to citizenship is through an Irish-born parent or grandparent, you may first need to be entered in the Foreign Births Register before you can be issued an Irish passport. That registration can take time, so it's best to sort it out early.
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