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Passports for Children

Your child needs an individual passport. We talk you through the application process in the tabs below.

We no longer include children on their parents’ passports. This is intended to make international travel more secure for children and reduce the risk of kidnapping and child trafficking.

  • Documents
  • Photographs
  • Consent of parents and guardians
  • Witnessing the application
  • Fees and where to apply

Documents

Documents

If you are renewing your child’s passport, you will need to include:

  • The application form - (APS2E) see "Fees and Where to apply" tab for information
  • 4 Passport Photographs (2 witnessed)
  • Your child's long form birth certificate. This must be included for all under 18s
  • Previous passport if your child has one
  • Further documents for first and/or lost passport applications (see below)

Further documents for first and/or lost passport applications

Please select the option(s) below for information:

If born outside Ireland to a parent born on the island of Ireland you will need:

  • Your child's original long-form birth certificate.
  • The long-form birth certificate and civil marriage certificate (if applicable) of your child's Irish-born parent.

If the certificates are not in English, you must submit a certified English version of the original, translated by a registered translator.

If neither parent was born in Ireland but your child can claim Irish Citizenship by descent, you will need:

  • Your child's original foreign birth registration certificate. Please see the citizenship section if you need to apply for this certificate.
  • Your child's original long-form birth certificate.

If the birth certificate is not in English, you must also submit certified English versions of the originals, translated by a registered translator.

We may also ask you to have your original certificates authenticated by an Embassy or Consulate of the country which issues them.

If you are an Irish Citizen at the time your child was born, you will need:

  • Your child's original foreign birth registration certificate. Please see the citizenship section for more information on this certificate
  • Your child's original long-form birth certificate.
  • Your entitlement to Irish Citizenship (FBR certificate, Naturalisation Certificate, etc.)

If the birth certificate is not in English, you must also submit certified English versions of the originals, translated by a registered translator.

We may also ask you to have your original certificates authenticated by an Embassy or Consulate of the country who issued them.

Photographs

Photo Guidelines

Note: The photograph requirements of the Passport Office are very specific and are unfamiliar to Chinese photographers. Make sure you bring the photograph guidelines with you to the photographer and check the photos against the template provided.

What are the guidelines for passport photographs?

Size

  • Minimum: 35mm x 45mm
  • Maximum: 38mm x 50mm

Lighting and focus

  • Photos must be in sharp focus and correctly exposed
  • Shadows from the head must NOT appear in the background
  • Good colour balance and natural skin tones are essential
  • 'Red eye' in photographs is not acceptable
  • A clear contrast is needed between facial features and background

Photo quality

  • Photos must be printed on photo-quality paper at a high resolution
  • There should be no ink marks or creases
  • Digital enhancements or changes are not acceptable
  • The reverse of the photos must be white and unglazed
  • Black and white photos are recommended as they're digitally printed onto the passport in black and white, but we also accept colour photos

Passport photo do's and don'ts

Pose

  • Do centre your head in the photo
  • Do look directly at the camera
  • Do make sure your facial features are clearly visible, from the bottom of your chin to the crown of your head
  • Don't tilt your head up/down or left/right

Expression

  • Do keep your facial expressions neutral (no raised eyebrows, frowns)
  • Do keep both eyes open and your mouth closed
  • Don't smile

Glasses, head covers and clothing

  • Do wear your glasses (if you normally wear them) but make sure there's no reflection on the lenses and the frames don't obscure your eyes
  • Don't wear sunglasses or glasses with tinted lenses, unless they're prescription
  • Don't wear a head covering unless it's for religious or medical reasons
  • Don't wear a uniform, civil or military (e.g. showing epaulettes, insignia)

Infants

Infants or very young children who can't support themselves should be photographed lying down on a plain, white surface. No one else should appear in the photo, so make sure that hands or arms used to support the child are not visible.

People with disabilities

If you have a disability that prevents you meeting all of these requirements, contact us and we will offer you further advice.

Consent of parents and guardians

Consent of parents or guardians

Section 7 of the application deals with parental consent for children

The consent of all guardians is required for all children under 18 years of age, unless the child is married. Guardianship should not be confused with custody which involves the day to day caring of the child.

  • Married parents of a child are joint-guardians and have equal rights in relation to the child;
  • Unmarried parents of a child are not joint guardians, only the mother is automatically a guardian of the child. Entry of the father's name in the Register of Births does not give him any guardianship rights in respect of his child.

The rights of parents to guardianship are set down in Section 6 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.

Parents/guardians must:

  • Fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 of the passport application form in the presence of a listed witness
  • Find out what to do if both parents/guardians are unable to sign Section 7 (see below)
  • This is the same witness list as the Section 9 identification requirement.

The witness must:

  • Complete, sign and stamp Section 7, including a work landline telephone number - mobile telephone numbers are not acceptable
  • Sign each column separately if they witness both parents/guardians' signatures

Parents are married or were married

Both parents may fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 in the presence of a suitable witness.

If one parent is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for their child's passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that parent's consent will be required to proceed with the child's application. This Court Order should direct the Passport Service to dispense with the consent of the unwilling/unavailable parent and allow the Passport Service to issue a passport to your child.

Parents were married but one parent is deceased

The living parent may fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 in the presence of a suitable witness.

The original death certificate of the deceased parent together with a Sole Guardian Affidavit form (AFF1) must be submitted. This affidavit should be completed in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths confirming that the living parent is the sole legal guardian of the child. Print an AFF1 form.

Only mother named on child's birth certificate

The mother of the child must fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 of the passport application form in the presence of a suitable witness.

She must also complete a sworn affidavit form (AFF1) in the presence of a solicitor/commissioner for oaths, confirming her as the sole legal guardian. Print an AFF1 form.

One parent lives in Ireland and the other in China

The parent living in China must fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 of the passport application form in the presence of a suitable witness.  The minor must be present too.

The parent living in Ireland must bring the minor’s birth certificate, fill in and sign the relevant part of Section 7 of the passport application form in the presence of a suitable witness.  Once Section 7 is properly completed and witnessed, it should be posted to the parent living in China to be submitted to the Embassy with the rest of the supporting documentation.

Both Parents live in Ireland and minor in China

At least one of the parents should travel to China to fill in, sign, and accompanied by the child, get Section 7 of the passport application form witnessed.  For the other parent, the procedure should be the same as above.

Witnessing the application

Witnessing the application

Identification

A member of one of the professions listed in sections 7 and 9 of the APS 2 E form can witness your child's passport application form as long as they are satisfied as to your and the child’s identify and that the four photos are a true likeness of your child.

Make sure you bring photo identification with you and be aware that the witness may ask you for more proof of identification - this is at their discretion.

  • Police officer
  • Member of clergy
  • Medical doctor
  • Lawyer
  • Bank manager/assistant bank manager 
  • Elected public representative
  • Peace commissioner
  • School principal/vice principal
  • Accountant

You must:

  • Sign Sections 7 and 8 of the form in the presence of the witness. Everyone aged seven and over must sign their own form. A parent/guardian of a child under seven must sign their own name in the right sided box in Section 8 in front of the witness.

The witness must:

  • Complete Sections 7 and 9 of the form, including a work landline phone number - mobile phone numbers will not be accepted
  • Insert the form number from Section 9 on the back of two of your child’s four photos
  • Sign and stamp the back of those two photos

Remember...

Your application form is only valid for six months from the date your witness signs Section 9.

Lost/stolen and damaged passports

If your passport has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must:

  • Complete Section 6 of the application form, explaining how your previous passport was lost, stolen or damaged
  • Have it witnessed and stamped by the same person who witnessed Section 7 and 9 of your application

If you lose two or more passports, it may restrict the period of validity for your next passport.

Remember...

Do not, under any circumstances, try to travel on a passport that has been reported as lost or stolen.

Fees and where to apply

Fees and Where to apply

Fees

The fee depends on the type of passport you apply for:

Type of Passport

RMB

5 year Passport (available to children aged 0 to 17)

335

Courier fee (for delivery costs related to your new passport)

30

Fees for Passport applications lodged in Shanghai may be paid in cash, by Chinese postal order or by bank transfer.

Postal orders should be made out to: [Chinese text] (Consulate General of Ireland Shanghai). The applicants name and date of birth should be written in the comments at the bottom of the postal order.

For an application for a child please have the name of the buyer of the postal order written on the back.

The Consulate cannot accept payment by Credit/Debit card, personal cheque or in Euro cash.

Application Forms

You can request an APS2 form from the Consulate in Shanghai by calling to our office in person or by contacting us to request the form to be sent to your address.

You should send your address in Chinese characters, and your mobile telephone number. The form will be sent to you by courier (charges of around 30 RMB must be paid on delivery).

We strongly recommend that you use a reputable courier service. The Consulate cannot be held responsible for applications or documents lost in transit.

Remember...

Read all sections of the passport application form to make sure you've filled it out correctly, including photo requirements and how to get it witnessed properly.