Renewing Your Irish Passport in the UK: A Clear Guide

Oct 7

6 min read

If your Irish passport has expired, or is about to, renewing from the UK is simpler than you might think. Most people can do the whole thing online in about ten minutes, with the passport arriving by post in around two weeks. Here is everything you need to know about Irish passport renewal UK, including fees, turnaround times, and what to do if you need it in a hurry.

Can you renew your Irish passport from the UK?

Yes. Irish citizens living anywhere in Great Britain can renew their passport fully online using Passport Online, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs' official system. You do not need to visit an embassy or post anything to get started, the whole application is handled digitally.

The only time you would need to apply in person is if you need an urgent same-week renewal (more on that below) or if your last passport was issued more than 15 years ago, which requires a first-time application rather than a standard renewal.

Passport Online: step by step from the UK

What you need before you start:

Your current or most recently expired Irish passport
A digital photo that meets the official photo guidelines (the Passport Online site walks you through these)
A credit or debit card
An email address

For a straightforward adult renewal, no additional supporting documents are usually required. The whole application typically takes around ten minutes.

The process:

Go to passportonline.dfa.ie and create or log into your account
Select "Renew Adult Passport" and follow the steps
Upload your digital photo
Pay the fee by card
Your new passport arrives by post

Once submitted, you can track your application at any time using the Passport Tracking Service.

Note: Passport Online is the only way to apply for an Irish passport if you live in Great Britain. Paper applications via Post Passport are available in Ireland and Northern Ireland, but not in Great Britain.

Fees

Application type	Fee
Standard 10-year adult passport (Passport Online)	€75
Overseas postal fee (applies to all UK residents)	€15
Total for UK residents applying online	€90

So if you are renewing from London or anywhere else in the UK, expect to pay €90 in total, €75 for the passport plus €15 for international postage back to you.

A Passport Card (a credit-card-sized travel document valid for EU travel) costs €35 separately, or €100 as a bundle with a standard passport book.

Not everyone needs one, but it is a handy backup for EU travel without carrying your full passport.

Turnaround times

For a standard adult renewal via Passport Online, the current average is 10 working days, roughly two calendar weeks, from the date your application is received. This does not include postage time to the UK, so add a few extra days for delivery.

A "complex" adult renewal, if you are changing your name, reporting a lost passport, or submitting additional documents, takes around 15 working days from when the Passport Service receives those documents.

The key thing to remember: do not book flights until you have your passport in hand. Turnaround times are averages, not guarantees.

Urgent renewals: the London Passport Office

If you need your passport quickly, for an upcoming trip, a job requirement, or a family emergency, there is an urgent appointment service at the London Passport Office, located at:

114a Cromwell Road (Ground Floor), London SW7 4ES

This service offers a five-day turnaround for passport renewals. Slots are limited and must be booked in advance at urgentpassportappointment.dfa.ie. Appointments are available up to three weeks ahead on a first-come, first-served basis.

Important: This service is for renewals only. First-time applicants cannot use it.

Fees for the London urgent appointment service:

	Adult	Child
Passport fee	€95	€45
Appointment fee	€75	€75
Total	€170	€120

For the urgent in-person appointment, you will need to bring a completed APS2E paper application form (available from the Passport Office at Cromwell Road, or by emailing passportlondon@dfa.ie), four printed passport photographs, and your application witnessed by an acceptable witness resident in Great Britain.

If it is a genuine emergency - you need to travel urgently and cannot wait even five days, contact the Irish Embassy directly:

Embassy of Ireland, Great Britain 17 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HR Tel: +44 20 7235 2171 ireland.ie/en/greatbritain/london

For emergency contact details outside office hours, see the Embassy's contact page.

Help in London: the London Irish Centre

If you need a hand with your application, whether you are not sure about the process, need your documents witnessed, or want some guidance before applying, the London Irish Centre in Camden offers a free Irish passport assistance service.

Their accredited team has helped thousands of people with Irish passport applications and witnessing. The service covers both new applications and renewals, for adults and children.

A few things to know:

Appointment only - no walk-ins. Email irishpassports@londonirishcentre.org or call the freephone line: 0800 200 6022
The LIC takes the government fee of €90 by bank card on your behalf at the end of your appointment
They can also help with Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) for those applying through an Irish-born parent

This is an especially useful option if it is your first application, if you are applying on behalf of a child, or if you would simply like someone to walk through the process with you in person.

Find out more at londonirishcentrepassports.

Renewing a child's passport

Child passports (for those under 18) are valid for five years rather than ten. A child renewal is treated as a "complex" renewal, meaning the turnaround time is around 15 working days rather than the standard 10.

The consent of all guardians must be verified, which adds a step to the process. Full details - including the documentation required and what happens when one guardian is absent - are on the DFA's children's passport page.

When you need a first-time application instead

A standard renewal applies if you have had an Irish passport before and it was issued within the last 15 years. If your last passport was issued more than 15 years ago, or if you have never had an Irish passport before, you need to make a first-time application for an adult passport.

First-time applications require additional supporting documents to establish entitlement to Irish citizenship, and they cannot be expedited. Do not book flights until you have the passport.

Ready to apply?

For most people living in London, the process is: go to Passport Online, spend ten minutes on the application, pay €90 by card, and wait about two weeks for delivery. Straightforward.

For full details on the Embassy's passport services in Great Britain, including witnessing, consular services, and contact information, see our Irish Embassy London guide on the Irish in London site.

FAQ

Can I renew my Irish passport online from the UK? Yes. Passport Online works for Irish citizens anywhere in the world, including all of Great Britain. It is the only renewal option available to UK residents (paper applications are not available in Great Britain). Go to passportonline.dfa.ie to apply.

How long does Irish passport renewal take from the UK? For a standard adult renewal, the current average is 10 working days from when the Passport Service receives your application, roughly two calendar weeks, plus a few extra days for postage back to a UK address. Complex renewals and children's passports take around 15 working days. Check the current turnaround times at ireland.ie before applying if you have travel coming up.

How much does it cost to renew an Irish passport from the UK? A standard 10-year adult passport costs €75 via Passport Online, plus a €15 overseas postal fee for UK residents — a total of €90. If you need the urgent appointment service at the London Passport Office (Cromwell Road, SW7), the total is €170 for an adult renewal, which includes the appointment fee.

What do I do if I need my Irish passport urgently in London? Book an urgent appointment at the London Passport Office, 114a Cromwell Road, SW7 4ES. This service offers a five-day turnaround for renewals. Slots are limited, booked online at urgentpassportappointment.dfa.ie, and available up to three weeks ahead. The total cost is €170 for adults. For true emergencies, contact the Irish Embassy directly on +44 20 7235 2171.