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 apply for an emergency passport. This service is available to Irish citizens who have lost their passports and must travel within a few days. You’ll need to provide evidence of your travel plans and pay an additional fee (the current fee for an emergency passport is €155).
Cost to Replace/Renew Your Passport
| Passport Type | Service | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 34-page 10-year passport | Passport Online | €75 (Plus €15 postage if outside Ireland) |
| Post Passport with An Post | €80 (Plus €9.50 fee for 1 application or €16 for a Family Application up to 4) | |
| In person | €95 | |
| Large 66-page 10-year passport | Passport Online | €105 (Plus €15 postage if outside Ireland) |
| Post Passport with An Post | €110 (Plus €9.50 fee for 1 or €16 for a Family Application up to 4) |
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.
Lost Irish Passport FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions people have when they lose their Irish passport:
Can I still travel without my passport?
No, you cannot travel internationally without a valid passport. You’ll need to apply for a new passport and wait until you receive it before you can travel.
How long does it take to get a new passport?
The processing time for a standard passport application is currently ten working days. However, it may take longer if your application is incomplete or there are photo issues. You can apply for an emergency passport, which can be issued within three working days.
I found my old passport after ordering a new one. What do I do?
If you’ve already applied for a new passport and then find your old one, you should return the old one. You will be returning it to the Irish passport office. They may cancel the new passport application and refund your fee. Of course, this depends on the stage of the application process.
Can I get a refund for the fees I paid for my lost passport?
You may get a refund for the fee you paid for the new one. It only applies if you find the old passport before the process starts for the new one.
However, you cannot get a refund if the new passport has already been issued.
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