Consular Services Information
News
08 April 2021Updated 8 April
Passports
In line with the Irish Government's announcment regarding a move to Level 5 restrictions in December, which have been extended to April 2021, all passport processing has been paused. Currently online passport applications can be submitted, but will only be processed when restrictions are moved to a lower level - Level 4 for online applications. For passport applications already within the system, these will be process with restrictions are moved to Level 3.
For full information, as well as information on the emergency passport service at this time, visit www.dfa.ie/passports
Renewals
All passport renewal applications must use Passport Online, except for passports that expired more than 5 years ago.
If you are already eligible to renew online, please visit Passport Online (https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/) to find out more information about how to apply, what documentation is needed etc. The Frequently Asked Questions section (https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/onlinefaqs/) provides detailed information on the process including on how to take photos, fees and answers to many other common questions.
If your passport expired more than 5 years ago, traditionally applications would be made using a paper form, however the Passport Service will be rolling out an online passport application system for such applicants shortly. This will be live by late-April and details will be up on our website closer to the launch date. Given that Ireland is unlikely to restart processing of paper applications before late-April due to the public health situation, we are no longer sending out paper application forms, as it will be faster to apply through the new online system.
First Time Applicants
The Passport Service will be rolling out an online passport application system for all applicants applying from the US, including first time applicants. This will be live by late-April and details will be up on our website closer to the launch date. Given that Ireland is unlikely to restart processing of paper applications before late-April, we are no longer sending out paper application forms, as it will be faster to apply through the new online system.
Foreign Birth Registrations
The processing of Foreign Birth Registrations or FBRs (through which Irish citizenship can be claimed by persons with a grandparent born on the island of Ireland) is currently suspended due to Level 5 restrictions under Ireland’s National Framework on Living with COVID-19.
When processing operations resume, due to the complex nature of FBR it will take between 12 to 18 months to process a completed FBR application.
Visas
The acceptance of all new visa/preclearance applications globally with the exception of those in the Emergency/Priority list is suspended as of 29th of January 2021. While it is still be possible to apply for an Irish visa/preclearance online, applicants will not be able to complete their application process.
Please note that any application made online will remain valid until such time as restrictions are lifted. You will find further updates at the website of the Immigration Service Delivery website at http://inis.gov.ie/
Priority/Emergency cases as defined on the Immigration Service Delivery website will still be processed.
For enquiries relating to priority or emergency visa applications, please visit the website of the Consulate of Ireland in New York or Chicago depending on your state of residence:
Residents of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida should contact the Consulate General of Ireland in New York.
Residents of Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi should contact the Consulate General of Ireland in Chicago.
Contact Us
The Atlanta Consulate is fully operational, however the public office is closed until further notice. For all general travel and consular enquiries, please email us directly at atlantacg@dfa.ie. A member of the Consulate team will answer all emails received.
If you are an Irish citizen in need of emergency consular assistance, you may contact the Consulate in Atlanta at +1 404 554 4980. Please leave a voicemail and your call will be returned as soon as possible if it is deemed an emergency.
