The Passport Service is successfully responding to demand, and has issued over 805,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times.
The turnaround times for passport applications are:
• 10 working days for simple online adult renewals
• 15 working days for complex or child online renewals
• 20 working days for first time online applications
• 8 weeks for post passport or paper applications
Passport applicants can track the status of their passport application online via the Passport Tracker which is available on my Department's website -
[][https://]ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/tracking/
The tracker provides an indication of how an application is progressing through the system and gives an estimated issue date based on the current average application processing time. As the website notes, the issue date of your passport is a Target Issue Date and not a guaranteed date. Information is updated intermittently on the tracker daily and reflects the current target turnaround times. The tracker updates applications throughout the day where these applications have progressed.
Turnaround time applies to fully complete and correct applications, and begins from the date that supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, not the date the online application is made. Applications that are incorrect or incomplete will take longer to process.
If an applicant has submitted an online application that requires documentation in support of same, the Target Issue Date will not display until all required supporting documentation has been received by the Passport Service.
It is important to note that complex applications may, by their nature, involve considerable engagement between the applicant and the Passport Service to ensure all necessary documentation is provided. Since 2022, the Passport Service has operated a document management system whereby incomplete applications that require further supporting documents are prioritised once the additional documents are received by the Passport Service. These applications are then processed within 15 working days.
The Passport Service continually works to enhance the service and provide efficiencies for customers. A number of improvements were made to the passport online platform over the past two years. These include a bespoke list of the supporting documents required for first-time applicants and a new integration feature with the General Register Office (GRO). These upgrades help to reduce the administrative burden for applicants.
The Passport Service's programme of reform will continue throughout this year and next year, with the delivery of a number of highly complex and transformational projects that are necessary to future-proof service delivery, enhance the customer experience, ensure business continuity, and safeguard the integrity of the Irish passport. Successful delivery of these projects will ensure that Ireland remains at the forefront of passport processing worldwide. The Reform Programme includes improvements to the passport tracker that would provide more accuracy on individual applications and their statuses.
