Children can no longer be included on their parents'/guardians' passports which means each child must have their own passport.
There are extra steps involved in applying for a child's passport compared to a standard renewal online or through express post.
When applying for a passport for someone under the age of 18, consent must be given by all of the child's guardians on the application form.
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This applies to both first-time applicants and renewals.
You will also need the signatures of the parents/guardians to be witnessed. Click here for more information on the witnesses required for the different types of applications.
If your child was born on the island of Ireland, you'll need to submit the following completed documents:
- Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s)).
- If the parent’s name is now different to their name on the child’s birth certificate, they will need to link their identity to the child’s birth certificate. For example, they could have changed their name through marriage or divorce. The original documents will be required such as a original civil marriage certificate or the separation agreement, judicial separation court order, or the divorce decree certified by a solicitor or by the court.
Guardianship documents (if required). Guardianship and consent is a complex area - find more detailed information in our Consent for Children section.
The passport application can only be progressed when the above documents are submitted.
Applying for a child's passport can be done online and is the fastest way to get a new passport in your hands.
90% of online applications are returned completed within the advertised timeframe.
However all renewals for children are categorized as "complex renewals" by the Passport Office.
This means that the average turnaround for a child's passport is 15 working days if done online.
If you renew a child's passport or apply their first one by post, it can take up to eight weeks
For more information on applying for a child's passport, click here.
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