1 November 2022
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
The Passport Service today issued its one millionth passport in 2022. This represents the first time over one million passports have been issued in a calendar year.
Speaking about this milestone, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D. said:
“The Passport Service has had a record-breaking year in 2022. This year has seen my Department issue over 1 million passports in a calendar year for the first time in the history of the State. With the re-opening of international travel and the pent-up demand following the Covid pandemic, the Passport Service faced an unprecedented demand for passports. Thanks to significant investment by Government, substantial improvements have been made this year and normal, pre-Covid levels of service have resumed.
“Turnaroun times for online first time applications have been halved from 40 working days in March of this year to 20 working days. 84% of online adult renewal applications and almost half of children’s online renewal applications are currently being processed in three working days or less.
“As we look forward to 2023, if you’re planning on booking international travel, check your passport now and apply early. The quickest, easiest and cheapest way to apply for a new passport is by using the Passport Online Service.”
Minister Coveney added:
“I would also like to pay tribute to the staff of the Passport Service who have delivered this historic achievement. The processing of 1 million passports is down to their commitment to public service and hard work. My Department will continue to work to ensure that our services meet the needs of our citizens.”
File photo of Simon Coveney TD at a seperate event in Cork
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The issuing of one million passports in the first 10 months of this year surpasses the previous record of 935,000 passports issued over the full year in 2019. People applying for Childrens passports often need a Commissioner for Oaths to witness an Affidavit of Sole Guardianship.
Details of the number of passports issued annually over the last 10 years are as follows:
| Year (12 months unless stated) | Passports Issued |
| 2022 (first 10 months) | 1,000,000 |
| 2021 | 634,000 |
| 2020 | 450,000 |
| 2019 | 935,000 |
| 2018 | 835,000 |
| 2017 | 810,000 |
| 2016 | 758,000 |
| 2015 | 685,000 |
| 2014 | 632,000 |
| 2013 | 635,000 |
| 2012 | 636,000 |
Passport Office Dublin staff: Photographer Phil Behan DFA
The current turnaround times are
- 10 working days for online adult renewals. 84% of adult online renewal applications are processed within 3 working days or less.
- 15 working days for child online renewals. 46% of child online renewals are processed within 3 working days or less
- 20 working days for first time online applications.
- 8 weeks for An Post’s Passport service.
