Losing your passport can be a stressful experience, especially if you plan to travel soon. If you’re an Irish citizen and you’ve lost your passport, don’t worry – there are steps to get a new one and continue with your travel plans.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what you should do if you’ve lost your Irish passport, answer some common questions about lost passports, and offer tips for preventing passport loss in the future.
What to do if you’ve lost your Irish passport
If you’ve lost your Irish passport, you should report it to the authorities first. In Ireland, you can report the loss to the Gardaí. If you’re abroad, you should contact the local police and the Irish embassy or consulate in that country. You’ll need to fill out a form to report the loss and get a reference number, which you’ll need when applying for a new passport.
Once you’ve reported the loss, you can apply for a new passport. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs offers an online passport application system. This streamlined process allows you to report your passport as lost or stolen directly within the application. To complete your application, you’ll need to provide personal information, upload a digital photo, and pay the applicable fee.
The system also enables you to track the progress of your application and receive updates via email or text message. It is the quickest and easiest way to apply for a new passport.
Additionally, you can also apply through the post via An Post or in-person with the Passport Office’s counter service (available at offices in Dublin and Cork).
If you need your new passport urgently, you can contact the Passport Service directly to apply for an emergency passport. This service is available to Irish citizens who do not hold or have lost their passports and urgently need to travel. As the name suggests, this service is strictly for emergencies only – such as the death of an immediate family member abroad or for urgent medical care.
Cost to Replace/Renew Your Passport
Application via Passport Online Service
| Adult | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard 10-Year Passport | €75 |
| Large 66-Page, 10-Year Passport | €105 |
| Passport Card | €35 |
| Standard Passport + Passport Card | €100 |
| Large Passport + Card | €130 |
| An additional €15 postage fee applies to residents outside of Ireland. |
| Child | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard 5-Year Passport (for Under 18s) | €20 |
| Large 66-Page, 5-Year Passport (for Under 18s) | €50 |
| Passport Card | €35 |
| Standard 5-Year Passport + Passport Card (for Under 18s) | €45 |
| Large 66-Page, 5-Year Passport + Passport Card (for Under 18s) | €75 |
| For child applications, there is an additional €5 postal fee (per application) to offset the cost of returning documents to the applicant. |
Application via AnPost
| Adult | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard 10-Year Passport | €80 |
| Large 66-Page, 10-Year Passport | €110 |
| Standard 5-Year Passport (for Under 18s) | €30 |
| Large 66-Page, 5-Year Passport (for Under 18s) | €55 |
| An additional administrative fee of €9.50 for a single application, or €16 for up to four applications applies to passport applications made via AnPost. |
Tips for Preventing Passport Loss
Here are some tips for preventing the loss of your Irish passport:
- Keep your passport safe and secure: When you’re not travelling, store your passport in a secure location such as a home safe, safety deposit box, or locked cabinet.
- Make copies of your passport: Make a photocopy of your passport and store it in a separate location from your passport. Also, consider scanning a copy of your passport and storing it on your phone or computer.
- Keep your passport with you when travelling: Always keep it with you and never leave it unattended in public places or in your hotel room.
- Use a passport cover: A passport cover can help protect your passport from damage and make it more difficult for someone to steal or tamper.
- Be aware of your surroundings: When travelling, be mindful of your surroundings and watch for any suspicious behaviour or individuals.
- Report a lost or stolen passport immediately: If it is lost or stolen, report it to the Irish embassy or consulate in your country as soon as possible.
- Renew your passport before it expires: To avoid any issues with an expired passport, make sure to renew it before it expires.
Losing your passport can be a stressful and costly experience. These preventative steps can help protect your passport and make your travels go more smoothly.
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Lost Irish Passport FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions people have when they lose their Irish passport: