Documentation

If applying to Embassy Freetown, you will need to include:

• A completed and witnessed APS2 application form. See the "Application Forms" tab for information on how to get a form
• 4 Passport Photographs (2 witnessed)
• Previous passport if you have had one
• Long form birth certificate. This must be included for all under 18s and for adults if you have lost your passport, or if applying for your first passport.
• Civil Marriage Certificate (if you are changing your name)
• Additional documents for first and/or lost passport applications. See below for information.

If you are applying for an Irish passport for the first time or have lost your passport you need to include the following:

• Your original long-form birth certificate and your original civil marriage certificate (if you've changed your surname).
• If these documents are not in English, you must also submit a certified English version of the originals, translated by a registered translator.
• A certified copy of your photo identification, such as your driver's licence, or the original copy of your passport from another country or your college identification card. You can get it certified by the person who witnesses your application form.
• An original document showing proof of your name, such as a pay slip, college registration correspondence or social welfare receipts.
• An original document showing proof of your address, such as a utility bill, bank statement or official correspondence from a public or private sector organisation.

Further documents are required in certain cases, please select from the option(s) below for information if:

• You were born outside Ireland to a parent born on the island of Ireland

• Neither of your parents were born in Ireland but you can claim Irish Citizenship by descent

• You are a Naturalised Irish Citizen

• You were born abroad and adopted under Irish Law

• You are a Post-Nuptial Citizen

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

• Your original long-form birth certificate and your original civil marriage certificate (if you've changed your surname).
• The long-form birth certificate and civil marriage certificate (if applicable) of your Irish-born parent.

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

If neither of your parents were born in Ireland but you can claim Irish Citizenship by descent, you will also need:

• Your original foreign birth registration certificate. Please see the citizenship section if you need to apply for this certificate.

If you are a naturalised Irish Citizen, you will also need:

• Your original naturalisation certificate. Please see the citizenship section on this certificate
• Your original long-form birth certificate and your original civil marriage certificate (if you've changed your surname).

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

Born Abroad and adopted under Irish Law

• Your certificate of entry by the Adoption Authority of Ireland in the Register of Foreign Adoptions.
• Your original civil marriage certificate (if you've changed your surname).
• A document that proves your adoptive parent was an Irish citizen at the time of your adoption, such as a long form birth certificate or an Irish passport.

Post-Nuptial Citizen

• Your original post-nuptial certificate.
• Your original long-form birth certificate and your original civil marriage certificate (if you've changed your surname).

Photo Guidelines

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.

How to get your passport application witnessed

Witnessing in Sierra Leone

Identification (Section 9 of your application form)

Consent of parents/guardians (Section 7 of your application form)

Lost, stolen or damaged passports (Section 6 of your application form)

Identification

A member of one of the professions listed below can witness your passport application form as long as they are satisfied as to your identify and that your four photos are a true likeness of you. 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.

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

You must:

• Sign Section 8 of the form in the presence of the witness. Everyone aged seven and over must sign their own form

The witness must:

• Complete Section 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 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.

Consent of parents or guardians

This is an additional requirement for children. Everyone under the age of 18 must have the consent of their parents/guardians to get a passport and this consent must be witnessed.

The only exception to this is if the child is married.

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
• 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.

Lost/stolen and damaged passports

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

• Report it immediately to your local Police and obtain a record of the loss (Police Report)
• 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 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

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

Standard Passports

Temporary Passports

Emergency Travel Certificates

We do not accept cards at the embassy, but you can pay in cash.

Fees can also be paid by bank transfer or deposit to the following account:

To Pay In Euro

Account Name  -  Department of Foreign Affairs-IRELAND PUBLIC A/C- DCI (Freetown)
Bank  -  Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited

Bank Address- 9 &11 Lightfoot Boston Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Account number  -  93-001-011240-00
SWIFT - SCBLSLFR

To Pay in Sierra Leonean Leones (please contact the Embassy for the exchange rate)

Account Name – Department of Foreign Affairs-IRELAND PUBLIC A/C- DCI (Freetown)

Bank – Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited

Bank Address- 9 &11 Lightfoot Boston Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Account number - 01-001-011240-00

BBAN - 001300011240000217

If you choose to pay by bank transfer/deposit please include a copy of the bank transfer/deposit slip with your application.

Where to apply

The Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone is located at:

8 St. Joseph’s Avenue,

Off Spur Road,

Freetown

Passport applications can be delivered by a reputable courier without coming to the Embassy. The Embassy cannot be held responsible for applications or documents lost in transit.

We would encourage you to consult the relevant section of our website regarding the service you require before contacting the Embassy.