An Post Passport Express to be renamed ‘Post Passport’ to better reflect slower turnaround time.
May 25, 2022
The renaming of Passport Express will alleviate some confusion around slower turnaround times for postal passport applications.
Applying for your passport by post is the slowest and most expensive means of application, with standard renewals taking up to eight weeks by post as opposed to 10-15 working days online.
The main message for those applying for a passport in a hurry is to apply online, apply early and ensure all your paperwork and signatures are in order and included with your application to avoid any delays.
With regard to first-time passports, which are now taking up to 30 days to process and require a lot more checks to be carried out then a standard adult renewal.
I welcome this name change and I think it will be hugely helpful along with continued measures to increase passport staff numbers and reduce waiting time.
The turnaround times for first time online applications has been reduced from 40 working days to 30 working days over the past two months.
Progress continues to be made in this regard and it is hoped to further reduce turnaround times to 25 days from 6 June. This progress reflects the great strides taken by the Passport Service to date in 2022, using the significant additional resources which are being provided. The reduction in turnaround times is being achieved despite record levels of demand, it is expected to achieve the target turnaround time of 20 days for first time applications shortly.
