How to apply for a Passport
Irish Citizens who are over 18, and have previously held an Irish Passport can now apply for their Passport Book and/or Passport Card online.
If you are not eligible, or do not wish, to apply online, our How to Apply for a Passport Guide takes you through each step of your Irish Passport application. The guide will answer some of the most common questions like:
- what form you need and where to get one
- documents you need to include
- photograph requirements
- witnessing an application form
- how to submit it
- passport fees
Application Forms
Application Forms
If you are resident outside Ireland and wish to submit an application to the Embassy of Ireland, you will need to use an APS2 application form. It is available in Irish (APS2G) and in English (APS2E) by contacting us at the Embassy.
Documents
Documentation
If applying to Embassy Bratislava, 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 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 or in Irish, 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:
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 for more information 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).
Photographs
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't's
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.
Witnessing your application
How to get your passport application witnessed
Witnessing your application
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, who is not a relative and who is currently working in the Slovak Republic 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.
- 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 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
- This is the same witness list as the Section 9 identification requirement.
- The witness to the consent must be from the list of professions given at top of page and the witness must know you personally or professionally (or you may be identified to them by someone else whom you both know).
- Find out what to do if both parents/guardians are unable to sign Section 7
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:
- Complete Section 6 of the application form, explaining how your previous passport was lost, stolen or damaged
- Have it witnessed and stamped by a police officer and have the same police officer witness Section 9 of your application
Read our full guide on what to do if your passport is lost or stolen in the Slovak Republic.
If you lose two or more passports, it may restrict the period of validity for your next passport and it may delay the processing of your new 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:
Standard Passports
- Standard 10-year passport is €95
- Large 66-page, 10-year passport is €125
- Standard 5-year passport for those aged under 18 years is €45
Emergency Passports
- Emergency travel certificate issued during working hours €30
- Emergency travel certificate issued out of hours €30 plus €80 out of hours fee
- Emergency passport issued during working hours €30 plus €95 passport fee
- Emergency passport issued out of hours €30 plus €95 passport fee plus €80 out of hours fee
How do I pay?
Payment can be made by bank transfer to the account listed below or in cash at the Embassy.
|
Bank |
UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia |
|
Account Name |
Department of Foreign Affairs |
|
Bank Account Number |
1350321028 |
|
Bank Sort Code |
1111 |
|
BIC /SWIFT |
UNCRSKBX |
|
IBAN |
SK 26 1111 0000 0013 5032 1028 |
Where to apply
You should submit your application form in person at the Embassy or send the documents by registered post to:
Embassy of Ireland
Mostová 2
811 02 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: +421 (2) 3233 8700
Postage
We strongly recommend that you use registered mail or a reputable courier service. The Embassy cannot be held responsible for applications or documents lost in transit.
The Embassy’s Public Office Hours are: 9.00 -12.30 Monday to Friday
The Embassy can be contacted from: 9.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday
The best way of contacting the Embassy is by email.
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.
Did you know? Visit Passport Online for information on online passport renewals.
Unless you are applying to renew your passport application online, applications submitted to the Embassy of Ireland must be made on an original APS2 Passport Application Form.