Renewing a passport

oisin_reme

Hi,

Has anybody ever renewed a passport before it's expiry date? My current passport expires in 2yrs time however the photo id page is a little worse for wear as the plastic covering has started to lift off and has almost reached the photo.

I keep it in a passport cover but it still gets a few funny looks at passport control so I'm wary.

I'm travelling to Oz in August and don't fancy going all that way only to be turned back so I want to get a new passport. However when I asked in the Garda station they said that I could get it renewed but that it would only be valid until the expiry date of the current one, so 2yrs, which seems ridiculous. I don't fancy paying E80 again in 2yrs time to get another one.

I know I could lie and say I'd lost it but don't wanna do that unless it's absolutely necessary. There's nothing on the passport website about renewing passports that aren't expired so just wondering if anybody has any experience of it? I have tried to contact the passport office but to no avail.

Thanks in advance!

Random

I've renewed before expiry before. The plastic was coming off and it was in rag order. They charge you full whack, no questions asked.

Random

I've renewed before expiry before. The plastic was coming off and it was in rag order. They charged me full amount. No questions asked.

oisin_reme

I've no problem paying full price but did you get a 10yr passport or did the replacement one expire on the same date as the damaged one?

penexpers

You get a brand new 10 year passport.

EDIT: they used to do replacement passports which were cheaper but would only be valid until the expiry date. They stopped issuing them a few years ago. I think that's what the Garda was talking about.

Kintarō Hattori

I'm just about to fill out the form to renew my passport today. Silly question but as I have to have a garda witness and have one sign one of the passport photos do I need to make an appointment with the station or can I simply drop in? Also, another silly question but do they charge a fee?

oisin_reme

Thanks for the replies:)

No appointment or fee necessary, just pop into the public office section of the station and they fill it out, make sure you bring id though!

penexpers

Mr.S wrote: »

How do you go about doing this? do you just fill in a normal application form and send it off, with your current passport in it?

Correct.

Random

I got a full 10 year one. There's an option on the form which asks why you're replacing it from what I remember.