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Unexpected difficulties renewing an Irish passport online

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Betony Tue 03-Feb-26 17:59:15

Ten years ago, when I thought Brexit might succeed, I applied for and received an Irish passport, qualifying because my father was Irish.

This passport will expire in a few months, so I got a new digital passport photo done in a Max Spielmann booth at my local Tesco. The photo is confirmed right for an Irish passport application because there's an Irish flag in the corner of the printout, along with a large printed IRE - you have to choose which country the application is for before taking your photo.

When I tried to enter the digital photo code online in my renewal application, I couldn't do it, as digital codes for Irish passport renewals are acceptable only from TWO online participating providers -Photo-Me and ID Online Station!

So, rather than waste the £10 spent on my digital photo, I'll have to download a form, print it out and do an old fashioned paper renewal application. OK, not the end of the world, but really annoying - not least because I live miles from a post office. I've never encountered this before. UK passport renewals seem to accept all digital codes, as do applications for foreign visas I've applied for!
ps. I don't have a camera on my efficient but cheap as chips laptop, so can't use that option.

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NotSpaghetti Sun 08-Feb-26 12:34:09

Is it to do with verification?

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Farmor15 Sun 08-Feb-26 13:55:23

Photo Guidelines For Passports | Department Of Foreign Affairs | Ireland.ie | Ireland.ie share.google/wnZ8UYRQBAvPr5joe

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Farmor15 Sun 08-Feb-26 14:00:35

See link above. If you can get someone to take a photo of you with your phone, or their phone, you can use it. Main thing is the image should not be edited at all, including file name.

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Farmor15 Sun 08-Feb-26 14:03:42

Also- if you apply directly to Irish passport office online, and upload photo, you'll be told almost instantly if photo is acceptable.

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BlueBelle Sun 08-Feb-26 15:15:21

Farmore not Irish but English passport we did our own followed every single detail … white background. no smile, no editing etc etc But it was rejected ended up letting Timpsons do it for me

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Betony Sun 08-Feb-26 17:12:21

Thanks for comments about alternative ways of supplying photos. I ended up paying another £10 for a photo with code from Photo-Me (10 miles away!), as I wanted the convenience of doing an online application. However, you'd think the online renewal form from the Irish Foreign Office would have to decency to tell you photos FROM ONLY TWO SPECIFIC COMPANIES are acceptable. before you click on their 'I have Code' button!
I'll hang on to the ones from Tesco in case I need to renew my bus pass!

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Farmor15 Sun 08-Feb-26 17:53:18

I'm puzzled by reference to a code in relation to photo. Are you sure you're using the official site?
www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/
There are often other sites which look official but are actually intermediaries who charge extra for processing application. I know of a number of people who have used the online system to renew Irish passports, including my son who was able to do it from Sweden. I did it myself a couple of years ago.

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Betony Sun 08-Feb-26 20:07:20

Oh, dear. perhaps I've been scammed. Another thing to be worried about!

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Farmor15 Sun 08-Feb-26 21:08:09

Betony - I'd suggest you use the link above and read all the guidelines about photos etc. I assume you haven't paid anything yet, apart from for the photos- I think you only pay at the end. Best of luck- if you're on the official site it is really pretty easy. You can also contact the passport office if you have a problem.

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