Passport renewal in Ireland whilst living abroad

TheNibbler

Potentially the wrong forum, please move if incorrect.

I live in London and my passport is due for renewal. At the moment the Irish Embassy is quoting 6 weeks to issue a new passport. I have plenty of time before the passport expires but I don't have any time period in the next 6 months where I won't need a passport for 6 weeks.

Does anyone know if it's acceptable to apply using the An Post fast track service that's available in Ireland if I got a relative to send me the relevant forms, sent them back everything by registered post and used their address as the return address? Then they could forward everything on to me. Seems like it would save a lot of time.

Little CuChulainn

And how would you go about signing the form in front of a Garda?

TheNibbler

I was thinking I could get it signed by a friend (either a teacher or doctor) when at home for a weekend next month. Or possibly by a suitable person in London? I have a few Irish friends here who are nurses so I thought that could work?

Little CuChulainn

No, they cannot sign the back of the form. It must be a Garda and he must witness you signing it.

schemingbohemia

Fly home, get form signed in front of Garda, use driver's licence or id card to fly back to London with anyone other than Ryanair and you're laughing.

MarkAnthony

I think even Ryanair accept a drivers licence. Not that I'd chance it myself TBH.

http://www.ryanair.com/ie/terms-and-conditions/regulations-traveldocumentation/

TheNibbler

Ah ok, I thought the list of witnesses for renewing while in the UK was the same as when renewing in Ireland. Annoying....

Unfortunately I have no driver's licence, otherwise flying home to get it signed would be perfect. Although maybe I could fly home, get forms signed, fly back to London and post passport?! Fairly complicated but might work?

slimjimmc

Can't you just contact the Passport Office at the Irish Embassy in London.
https://www.dfa.ie/passports-citizenship/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/great-britain/

Passport process when applying from GB
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/

TheNibbler

slimjimmc wrote: »

Can't you just contact the Passport Office at the Irish Embassy in London.
https://www.dfa.ie/passports-citizenship/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/great-britain/

Passport process when applying from GB
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/

Yes, I can do this. The issue is that Irish Embassy is giving a processing time of 6 weeks for a passport at present and I have a fair bit of travel over the next 6 months so it will be awkward to be without a passport for that length of time.

irelandrover

i had the same issue here in the Netherlands. I can hold onto my passport during the process.

You show the original when you apply. They send off a copy with the application and when they receive the new passport at the embassy you send in the old one and the new one is activated.

slimjimmc

TheNibbler wrote: »

Yes, I can do this. The issue is that Irish Embassy is giving a processing time of 6 weeks for a passport at present and I have a fair bit of travel over the next 6 months so it will be awkward to be without a passport for that length of time.

What I was really suggesting is checking if they can accelerate the process if you have confirmed travel arrangements.
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/top-passport-questions/can-i-get-my-passport-today/

TheNibbler

Oh, that would be perfect. I couldn't see anything offering that on the Embassy website but I'll email them and see if they can do that.

irelandrover wrote: »

i had the same issue here in the Netherlands. I can hold onto my passport during the process.

You show the original when you apply. They send off a copy with the application and when they receive the new passport at the embassy you send in the old one and the new one is activated.

TheNibbler

slimjimmc wrote: »

What I was really suggesting is checking if they can accelerate the process if you have confirmed travel arrangements.
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/top-passport-questions/can-i-get-my-passport-today/

The website suggests that the processing time is 6 weeks but then it does say this too:
"In all other circumstances, you will have to wait a minimum of five working days to get your passport and the application should be lodged in person at the Passport Office. Valid proof of confirmed travel (e.g. airline ticket/email) must be presented in order for any application to be processed sooner than the standard turnaround."

I've asked them to post me out an application anyway and maybe it will have more information. Seems like it may be possible to get everything together in London and then go in person near to my next flight. Although I wonder if they'll be willing to do this as my passport doesn't actually expire for nearly a year (renewing it early due to an upcoming visa application). Alternatively maybe Irelandrover's option will work.

irelandrover

TheNibbler wrote: »

Oh, that would be perfect. I couldn't see anything offering that on the Embassy website but I'll email them and see if they can do that.

I told them that I couldn't afford to be without my passport as I must carry ID on me at all times in the Netherlands. They were really helpful actually.

TheNibbler

irelandrover wrote: »

I told them that I couldn't afford to be without my passport as I must carry ID on me at all times in the Netherlands. They were really helpful actually.

Just emailed them there so fingers crossed!

schemingbohemia

you can use any ID for Aer Lingus and everyone other than Ryanair (markanthony they only accept passports). For pig iron (I had my driver's licence with me) I used my Leap Card with photo id on a flight to the UK with Aer Lingus last year, was accepted no problem. If you have time on your hands you could use the Sail Rail to get back to the UK.

Marcusm

TheNibbler wrote: »

Potentially the wrong forum, please move if incorrect.

I live in London and my passport is due for renewal. At the moment the Irish Embassy is quoting 6 weeks to issue a new passport. I have plenty of time before the passport expires but I don't have any time period in the next 6 months where I won't need a passport for 6 weeks.

Does anyone know if it's acceptable to apply using the An Post fast track service that's available in Ireland if I got a relative to send me the relevant forms, sent them back everything by registered post and used their address as the return address? Then they could forward everything on to me. Seems like it would save a lot of time.

If your passport has less than 6 months validity you don't need to submit it with your renewal application although you do need to include a photocopy of it. The consulate in London is generally helpful and over the years I have always presented renewal applications in person. Non urgent applications are processed in Dublin. Hence why it takes a little longer.

TheNibbler

Marcusm wrote: »

If your passport has less than 6 months validity you don't need to submit it with your renewal application although you do need to include a photocopy of it. The consulate in London is generally helpful and over the years I have always presented renewal applications in person. Non urgent applications are processed in Dublin. Hence why it takes a little longer.

Thanks for this. I am a bit confused as it doesn't seem to mention anything about validity impacting whether or not you submit your passport. I guess if this is the case i won't be able to avail of it as my passport has more than 6 months validity? Good to know that you found them helpful though-seemed to be a lot of negativity towards them online in general! Maybe I will out my application to whether and go and talk to them in person to see f they can help.

Del2005

TheNibbler wrote: »

Thanks for this. I am a bit confused as it doesn't seem to mention anything about validity impacting whether or not you submit your passport. I guess if this is the case i won't be able to avail of it as my passport has more than 6 months validity? Good to know that you found them helpful though-seemed to be a lot of negativity towards them online in general! Maybe I will out my application to whether and go and talk to them in person to see f they can help.

I'd say most government services get mostly bad reviews online, the thousands of people who get through with no issues don't bother posting but the few that don't get the result they wanted will post.

TheNibbler

Just an update:

I rang them and they said it wasn't possible to keep my passport while my new one was being processed as I had more than 6 months validity on it. However, I went into the passport office and they were really helpful. I had printed proof of travel and she just photocopied my passport and handed it back to me to keep until my new one arrives. Very straight forward in the end but not entirely sure why I was told differently when I spoke to the on the phone.

Little CuChulainn

TheNibbler wrote: »

Just an update:

I rang them and they said it wasn't possible to keep my passport while my new one was being processed as I had more than 6 months validity on it. However, I went into the passport office and they were really helpful. I had printed proof of travel and she just photocopied my passport and handed it back to me to keep until my new one arrives. Very straight forward in the end but not entirely sure why I was told differently when I spoke to the on the phone.

Because they made an exception for you when you went in.

TheNibbler

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

Because they made an exception for you when you went in.

Yes but the details I gave on the phone and in person were the exact same regarding passport validity, proof of travel etc. On the phone they said they would be able to fast track it with proof of travel but in person it was the case that they didn't fast track it but I was allowed to retain my passport. Either situation would have worked for me, it was just interesting that there obviously aren't fixed rules on this as two different staff members dealt with it in two different ways. Regardless, I'm happy!