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.
If you are renewing your child’s passport, you will need to include:
Further documents for first and/or lost passport applications
Please select the option(s) below for information:
If the certificates are not in English, you must submit a certified English version of the original, translated by a registered translator.
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 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.
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.
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.
If you have a disability that prevents you meeting all of these requirements, contact us and we will offer you further advice.
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.
The rights of parents to guardianship are set down in Section 6 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.
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.
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.
Your application form is only valid for six months from the date your witness signs Section 9.
If your passport has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must:
If you lose two or more passports, it may restrict the period of validity for your next passport.
Do not, under any circumstances, try to travel on a passport that has been reported as lost or stolen.
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.
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.
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.