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It is just 12 months since the launch of the Online Passport Application Service and since then, over 160,000 Irish adults have used the service to renew their passport books or apply for a passport card.

Speaking on the occasion of the anniversary of the launch, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., stated:

"This service offers the convenience of an online application facility, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for adult Irish citizens at home and overseas. Applications are processed in 10 working days with the vast majority of applications processed in 7 working days (plus postage time). It is by far the most convenient and fastest way to renew your passport.

This is a major achievement for the Passport Service in delivering a modern, innovative facility that allows Irish citizens apply for a passport from any corner of the globe and have it issued in 7 working days. Irish citizens living in more than 140 countries, spread over six continents, have applied for a passport this way. I am very proud of the success of this facility which continues to increase in popularity as over 70,000 online applicants applied since the start of this year alone’.

Emphasising the convenience of the service, an Tánaiste continued that ‘even on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day, the Passport Service received quite a number of applications online. However, the busiest day so far was the 8th January when over 1,300 applications were received in the one day."

The Tánaiste took the opportunity to remind Irish citizens booking their holiday to check their passports in good time for travel. Applicants who are not eligible to apply online and if travelling in 3 weeks or more can use the Passport Express facility, available through the network of post offices across the country. Alternatively, if you have immediate travel plans, you can book an appointment online at passportappointments.ie.

A video of the options available to apply for an Irish passport are available at: https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/our-work/casestudiesarchive/2018/march/one-year-passport-online/