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GARDAÍ HAVE SUGGESTED that people who are travelling to Garda stations to renew their passports do so online instead as a timesaver.
In March, the Department of Foreign Affairs launched a new online portal allowing Irish people to renew existing passports, with a turnaround time of 10 working days (applying for a passport by mail can take twice as long).
Despite this, it seems that many Irish people are unaware that the facility exists to take care of renewals on the web.
“Whilst An Garda Síochána welcomes interactions with members of the public, we are aware that people are making unnecessary journeys to Garda Stations only to be told that the facility for renewal of passports is available online and is a much quicker process,” Chief Superintendent Lorraine Wheatley said.
A recent survey at Blanchardstown Garda Station in Dublin showed that of 600 recent attendees at the station looking for help in renewing their documents, nearly 250 were unaware that the online service exists.
First-time passports, however, must still be applied for by mail or in person at a passport office.
If you need to renew your passport, you can do so at this link
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Renewed my passport online recently – was really quick and easy, received it less that a week after filling out the online form. Really impressed with this service.
@Kevin Bergin: and how long have you been a member of An Garda Siochana?
@David: Garda involvment not required¡
@Kevin Bergin: I did it a couple months ago and got it delivered to me in 6 days! Very impressed here too.
@Kevin Bergin: I think it only works if your home address is the same as on your original passport. If your address has changed??
More time for tea and rasher sandwiches for the boys…
Renewed online recently. Took my own photo. Easy and fast. Couldn’t imagine doing it another way in the future. It only works for renewals so people getting their first passport (ie the post-Brexit rush) aren’t clogging up the system.
@Fred O’Connor: is doesn’t work if your passport is 3 years out of date either even though is says 5 years is ok on the website as my father in law recently found out. He hasn’t traveled for a few years but because of the misinformation on the website and no actual real people at the end of the telephone he had to pay €80 plus €80 on top because it resulted in being a rush job in the end. Fking disgusting carry on.
@Nucky: what misinformation? It’s clearly stated what qualifies for an online renewal.
You can only renew passports online for adults who already have a passport. For childrens passports or anyone applying for their first passport the form will still have to be signed and witnessed at a garda station.
@Aoife Carey: Not if you live abroad!
@Fank Pulman: if you’re abroad you can also renew your adult passport online. If you need to have the form witnessed (for children or first time applications) the local Irish embassy will tell you who can act as a witness.
@Caroline Whelan: Yes – with no garda involvement. The witness information is on the website(s).
@Fank Pulman: at least you won’t have to cue up with your kids along with criminals who are going to the station to sign in :-/
Took my photo in a booth (twice) – specifically for passports. Online system wouldn’t accept them.
@Fank Pulman: because they’re hard copies. Try reading the website before making assumptions.
@Ryan Boyle: I did – and you can scan them!
@Fank Pulman: why didn’t you scan them?
@Ryan Boyle: I did, no prolem – the system won’t take them. Advice would help, unlike erroneous statements and questions. Hane you used the system?
For over 18s only. With three kids under 18, and their passports only lasting a few years, I still have to go through with the “paper forms” route about once a year.
The website looks great and certainly a step in the right direction, but I hope they extend the facility for under 18s renewals as this is where it’s needed for all the young families.
@Declan O’Neill: think that’s planned for next year.
Blanchardstown Garda station. Over 40 cars in the staff car park. One guy on the desk doing passport applications and criminal daily sign in’s… disaster
@Hello there friend: at least you were able to kill two birds with one stone while you were there !
@Hello there friend: you want all of the Gardai to be in the station?
Took me a while to get the picture just right, that was the longest part. Filled out the form, played the money, passport delivered 4 days later
Renewed passport from Scotland, had it in my hand within a week. Brilliant service
Paging Theresa Mannion…
Getting witnesses when abroad is a pain. For example – in the UK – my doctor didn’t want to know, I’ve given up church going and I do my banking on the internet (hence I have no bank manager). In fact, I know nobody in authority of some kind – reputable business people should be acceptable as witnesses.
@Fank Pulman: I used to deal with Bank of Ireland in the UK – and witnessing was no problem. However all their branches there are now closed – because of their problems. A pity – they had about 50.
@Fank Pulman: JOP is the way to go when overseas. I renewed one in Oz a 2 years ago and I got it back in 10 days and it was cheaper than renewing it in Ireland. Couldn’t understand that.
@Nollaig Elliot: JOP = ?
@Fank Pulman: If a doctor isn’t interested, go to a vet ;-)
@Fank Pulman: Seriously though, there are plenty of people who could witness a passport form for you. DFA lists all these:
Any elected public representative, a notary public/commissioner for oaths, Peace commissioner,School principal/vice principal, Accountant,Teacher, Dentist, Vet, Nurse, Physiotherapist, Speech Therapist, Lecturer, Credit Union manager, Pharmacist, or a Chartered Engineer.
I prefer the old way getting the aul Garda stamp of Approval when they decide to come out from behind the screen!! Very busy like!!
About time they told people they can do this.I was in my local Garda station last year to get a passport signed and there was 8 people in front of me.And I’m sure the female garda who was on duty wasn’t very happy.I wasn’t aware you could do it that way.
I hope they do a public campaign on the TV and radio for the next few weeks to really drive home the message that it CAN be done online.
@gerry fallon: the ad that was on last year promoting Eircode (using the example of the ambulance service) has been on a lot again over the last few weeks. I agree with u and think they should also focus on online passport renewal , especially as it’s reckoned that over a million Irish passports will be issued this year. Renewed mine earlier this year – excellent service.
2 months ago I tried to renew my expired passport online. It was within the 5 year limit for renewing online but the renewal was rejected as the passport number did not start with a certain pair of letters. I had no choice but to do the renewal the old-fashioned way. The only reason I was encouraged to renew it at all was because I understood I could do it online.
The Gaurds have a lot more important things to be doing than authenticating Passports.
@Brian O Reilly: It was just so convenient as they’re open all hours, if you worked odd hours.
I renewed mine a year ago online and it was very quick to arrive, about 5 days.
Have to say, I renewed mine online about 3 weeks ago and I had the passport in my hand in less than a week. Fast and easy. I renewed my daughters passport on the same day through express post and still have not received it back.
You can never get a Garda…
Useless government..
@Kevin McGinley: have you tried a Garda station? I find they’re usually in there.
Renewed my passport recently on line……Completed on line application on a Sunday……Passport delivered by An Post the following Friday……..Excellent Service
@Ken O’Sullivan: Yes – it’s one thing that’s worked well. In the old days, you’d wait for months – until after you needed a passport to go on hols. And just stayed at home…
Top notch service -got mine in a week – much easier than before
don’t take risks on treacherous roads
Lazy b@s#(!,!s
That’s a big passport?
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