Getting first passport for a child
Overview
Overview
A child under 18 years of age must have their own passport to travel.
If your child has never had a passport before, or if their last passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you need to apply on their behalf as a first-time applicant.
Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for your or your child's passport or passport card, from anywhere in the world. This secure and convenient service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Applications will be processed within the current processing times. If you need to submit documents, the processing time will only start when we receive them.
Please note: Passports for children (under 18 years of age) are issued with a validity of 5 years.
There is separate guidance if you are renewing a child’s passport.
How to apply online
To apply using Passport Online you will need:
- a digital photo that meets the photo guidelines
- credit or debit card
- an email address
- access to a printer
- further supporting documents
Video guide to guardianship and consent
How to meet the photo guidelines
Documents you need
The online application will tell you the documents you need to submit after applying.
You can also read our guidance on the documents you need to submit if the child is a:
Guardian consent for children's passport applications
As part of the online application, you will be asked to print an Identity and Consent form.
The consent of all the child’s guardians must be confirmed on this form and the child’s identity must be verified.
Children can no longer be included on their parents’ or guardians' passports. This is intended to make international travel more secure for children.
For a passport to issue to a child under 18, the consent of all the child’s guardians must be received by the Passport Service.
Guardianship is the collection of rights and duties that a parent or non-parent has in respect of a child. For example, a guardian has the right to make important decisions, including the decision to give consent for a passport to issue to the child. Guardianship should not be confused with custody which involves the day to day care of the child.
Guardians can give their consent on a child’s passport application in the following ways:
For online renewal applications
- At the end of the online renewal process, you will be provided with access to a Child Passport Identity and Consent Form.
- You should print this form.
- At least one of the guardians must then accompany the child to an appropriate witness for signature.
- This witness must know the child, confirm the child's identity and witness the signature of the guardian or guardians who have accompanied the child.
- The second guardian can, if necessary, ask another appropriate witness to witness his/her consent separately.
Common guardianship scenarios
We have outlined some common guardianship scenarios in the section below and included an overview of the additional documents that are required for certain categories of application in order to establish guardianship.
Please select the category of guardianship below that most closely matches your family situation for further guidance.
If your child has more than two legal guardians, or if your own family circumstances fall outside of the categories outlined below, please contact the Passport Service for guidance on your child’s application.
Important notes:
- In cases where there are two guardians and one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for the child’s passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that parent’s consent must be submitted with the child’s passport application
- If renewing a child’s passport that has more than 6 months validity remaining, the most recent passport book must be returned with the passport application (unless the passport has been lost or stolen).
- If your child has changed name (for example, following parent’s marriage) and their new name needs to be noted on their passport, further documents will be required. Further documents may also be required if you wish to have an observation noted on your child’s passport. Please see here for further details.
- Guardian consent must be witnessed in the country you reside in.
- Guardian consent is not required if the child is married.
Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008 makes provision for the consent of a child’s guardian(s) before a passport can issue. Under Irish law, the rights of parents to guardianship are set down in Section 6 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. Furthermore, on 18th January 2016, certain provisions of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 came into effect that made a number of changes to the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.
Please note: The summary provided is for information purposes only. If required, please obtain your own legal advice.
One guardian scenarios:
Sole legal guardian (including sole adoption)
One of the guardians of the child is deceased
Court order dispensing with consent
Two guardian scenarios:
Joint guardianship through marriage, adoption or through Children and Family Relationships Act 2015
Joint guardianship by statutory declaration
Joint guardianship by court order or will/testament
Joint guardianship through guardianship law outside the jurisdiction
See our guide to getting your application witnessed for more information.
First-time applicants born abroad
If your child was born abroad, read our guidance on the documents you need when applying for a first passport.
What it costs
The cost of your passport depends on the way you apply for it and the type you choose, for example standard or large.
When you apply using Passport Online:
- a standard 5-year passport for a child is €20
- a large 66-page 5-year passport for a child is €50
There is an additional €5 postal fee for each child application to cover the cost of returning documents to the applicant. The postal fee is €15 if you live outside Ireland.
How long it takes
Passport turnaround times
Check the current turnaround times for the latest information.
Passport tracking service
You can check the status of your online application using the passport tracking service.
When online application is not possible
Passport Online
Passport Online is the fastest way to apply for a passport.
If Passport Online is unavailable for first time applications in the country where you are living, contact your local Irish Embassy or Consulate for information on how to get a paper form and how to submit it.
Application forms cannot be downloaded.
Paper applications
If you are living in Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain and do not wish to apply online, you can apply using a paper passport form.
Paper applications in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain are submitted through the Post Passport service.
Apply online now
Frequently asked questions about child passport applications
My child got their current passport when they were under 18. They are now over 18. Can they renew their passport using the ‘Passport Online’?
There is more than 6 months validity remaining on my child’s passport. Can I renew their passport using the Passport Online?
I wish to renew my passport online. I also wish to apply for a first time passport for my child. Should we both send our applications through Post Passport?
Do I need to return my child’s current passport to the Passport Service?
Do I need access to a printer when renewing my child’s passport using Passport Online?
Do I need to have my child’s identity verified if I use Passport Online?
Who should accompany my child when having their identity verified?
How do I give consent to the issuance of a passport for my child if I use Passport Online?
My child is living with me and their other guardian is residing elsewhere. How can we give consent?
What happens if there is an issue with my child’s online application?
After I submit my child’s application online, how long will it take to receive their new passport?
I received a clarification email and sent my reply. How much longer will it take to process my child’s application?
Do I need to send my child’s previous passport after their new passport has been received?
Contact us
Read more on how to contact the Passport Service or see more guidance on making your application on our information hub.