Passport Application Discussion 2022

my estimated completed date was 6 June. I’m coming up on 5 months since I submitted my application, so if it’s not done I within 6 months I’ll have to start all over fingers crossed!

They actually checked for my witness first and then proceeded to alert twice for the submission of additional documents. So the witness check isn’t always the last step I guess! I have gotten all my docs back. It’s certainly a waiting game! I’ve been in this process since 2018.

My citizenship path was a bit unusual - I did not apply with an FBR. I was the one adopted into an Irish family, so I applied for passport with an Irish inter country adoption certificate - to get that required the same + more docs than the FBR, a 3+ year process, and has same legal status as a birth certificate - so that takes the place of the FBR in the passport application. Hope that helps someone before they spend an additional 2 years on FBR before the passport. I have confirmed you can get your passport this way in a situation like mine.

Just as an update, I contacted them saying I already post my long form birth certificate. In fact, I literally took it from my returned FBR documents and sent it to them.

They said it wasn't received so too bad, no recourse, send it again.

Fortunately, during the FBR application I accidentally requested two copies of my birth certificate, so I had a spare one to hand and sent that. But I can't imagine if I didn't, it would take days to request and receive a new one to forward to them.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if they returned my original documents to me and I found both the original birth cert I sent plus this new copy of it. Beyond a joke! But my witness did message me to say that they received the call, so that's something.

My timeline is as follows

Online application 30/04/23
Docs received/processing application (verifying docs) 10/05/23
Processing application 17/05/23
Printing passbook 17/06/23
Dispatched - TBD
Received - TBD
Estimated issue date 08/06/23

My documents, passport card and passport were all mailed from Dublin on June 9 (to US). Have received docs and pp card, but passport tracking says it has been in NY Customs since the day it got there - see tracking below.

Processed Through USPS Facility
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
June 9, 2023, 2:14 pm

Anyone have a perspective on this? How can 2 of 3 similar items be delivered and one not? Should I be worried it's lost? Thanks!

Online application: 02 March 2023
Documents posted: 02 March 2023
Documents Received:11 March 2023
Status - verifying documents: 11 March 2023
Status - application processing: 20 March 2023
Status - Additonal documents requested: 25 April 2023
Status - application processing: 08 May 2023
Status - Additonal documents requested: 16 June 2023
Status - printing: pending
Status - dispatched: pending
Date Received (passport book): pending
Documents Returned: 25 May 2023

I have no idea what left to do, I sent them already notarised copied of my passport and 2 bank statements and they still request these all over again, I spoke to 3 agents so far and they say they confirm they have everything needed and I need to check again this later this week as it should turn back to processing....its a long slog for a passport, cant wait to get this first time application out of the way

Finally! So thrilled to finally say my passport is at the printing stage.

I started my citizenship process in 2018 so like most of you, it’s feeling like a long time coming!

Here’s my timeline:

Documents Received:12 Jan 2023
Status - verifying documents: 14 Feb 2023
Status - application processing: 27 Feb 2023
Status - Additonal documents requested: 3 March 2023
Status - application processing: 30 March 2023
Status - Additonal documents requested: 25 April 2023
Status - application processing: 15 may 2023
Status - printing: 20 June 2023
Status - dispatched: pending
Date Received (passport book): pending

Some additional things to note:
Received all my documents back and had witness check very early on in the process.
This is the second time I’ve applied (with the same docs) and only this second time I’m successful because I added a cover letter explaining my unique adoption situation (which I outlined in an earlier post). It just goes to show how strangely fluid this process is. All I did was send a screen shot of the Irish adoption authority website saying their adoption certificate holds same legal status as a birth certificate and they continued to push my application through. Fascinating.

I feel very validated that despite being adopted as a baby, I am still the child of my mother and Irish grandparent. It’s a good day! Thank you all for your help and sharing of info. It’s been truly so helpful.

Almost forgot to add: my estimated issue date after several additional doc submits was 6/6/23

Additionally, they emailed one day before printing to ask if they can include my middle name that’s on my USA passport on the Irish one. I didn’t initially include it, but they suggested I do it because it apparently has historically caused problems and slow downs

Slightly off topic but I posted them another copy of my birth certificate after they somehow missed the original that I included with my application, thank goodness I accidentally ordered two. Despite posting it from the UK on Wednesday 14th with tracked delivery, it should have arrived by mon 19th at the latest. It's now Wed 21st and tracking is showing that it's still in the UK. Completely maddening! But I suppose others might also experience issues posting things to Ireland.

Will2022 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 14, 2023 9:54 am

Thanks for all the updates and hope you receive your passports very soon. My expected issue date was 06/06/23 and still in processing.

I’ve contacted the webchat and can confirm they know no more than us - no timelines given or length of delay.

An update on this…I called up on Friday 16th as status was still in processing. I was told my passport was about to be printed and this was confirmed on Saturday 17th when status updated to printing (including passport card too).

Tracking information appeared yesterday (20th) and currently still showing in Ireland for a U.K. delivery. Fingers crossed it turns up this week!

Hi all,

I’m awaiting the imminent arrival of my FBR certificate and I’m eager to get my passport application sent off immediately, but I had a couple of questions I was hoping to get the answers to on here.

Regarding a proof of address and proof of name, can I use a bank statement and a mobile phone bill for these? I have no recent letters from a local health authority/government and I don’t have any utility bills in my name at the moment as I’m living with family.

My other question is regarding sending off my original passport. I’ve done some lurking on here and I’ve seen that others have sent notarised copies of their passport/driving licence, have these been mostly accepted? I’m hesitant to send off my actual passport, especially as we’re now going into summer and I imagine the waiting times will be going up.

Thank you!

smc0502430 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 20, 2023 6:54 am

Online application: 02 March 2023
Documents posted: 02 March 2023
Documents Received:11 March 2023
Status - verifying documents: 11 March 2023
Status - application processing: 20 March 2023
Status - Additonal documents requested: 25 April 2023
Status - application processing: 08 May 2023
Status - Additonal documents requested: 16 June 2023
Status - printing: pending
Status - dispatched: pending
Date Received (passport book): pending
Documents Returned: 25 May 2023

I have no idea what left to do, I sent them already notarised copied of my passport and 2 bank statements and they still request these all over again, I spoke to 3 agents so far and they say they confirm they have everything needed and I need to check again this later this week as it should turn back to processing....its a long slog for a passport, cant wait to get this first time application out of the way

UPDATE 21/06 - application still not progressing, spoke to the agents and they said basically wait to see if it changes if not contact them back. If I have to send again another set of bank statements and my notarised passport again it might get processed....seems like I cant win

sophieluella wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 21, 2023 11:26 am

Hi all,

I’m awaiting the imminent arrival of my FBR certificate and I’m eager to get my passport application sent off immediately, but I had a couple of questions I was hoping to get the answers to on here.

Regarding a proof of address and proof of name, can I use a bank statement and a mobile phone bill for these? I have no recent letters from a local health authority/government and I don’t have any utility bills in my name at the moment as I’m living with family.

My other question is regarding sending off my original passport. I’ve done some lurking on here and I’ve seen that others have sent notarised copies of their passport/driving licence, have these been mostly accepted? I’m hesitant to send off my actual passport, especially as we’re now going into summer and I imagine the waiting times will be going up.

Thank you!

I would say that both of those will be fine, I used 2 different credit card statements for mine and all was processed ok. You do not need to send your original passport, a certified copy is fine, be sure to use a profession that they deem acceptable, I used a lawyer to certify mine.

An update:

Applied online: 24/04/2023
Sent documents (from UK, Royal Mail): 25/04/2023
Documents arrived (according to Royal Mail): 03/05/2023
Documents received (according to DFA): 03/05/2023
Estimated issue date: 31/05/2023
Witness was called: Today 21/06/2023
Printing: Today 21/06/2023

To hopefully help some other posters here:

I sent a certified colour copy of both my FBR certificate and my driving license. Both were colour copied and certified as true copies by my solicitor. Both were accepted. No passport sent. No copy of passport sent. I hope this helps. Good luck all.

My passport marked as dispatched today and passport card is printing now. I don’t see a tracking link yet, but I know it takes a bit. I feel for all of you still waiting. It really is a runaround! Worth it in the end of course…

In case it helps anyone from the US, I just used a certified notary at UPS (you make an appt online) and they did both the copy of my license and the main verification form. I suspect that’s better than asking someone who works in an office or breaks for summer, because they don’t actually need to speak to the same UPS notary - they can just call UPS up and verify with whoever is working that day that you’re in the log book.

TrishMc wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 17, 2023 11:31 pm

My documents, passport card and passport were all mailed from Dublin on June 9 (to US). Have received docs and pp card, but passport tracking says it has been in NY Customs since the day it got there - see tracking below.

Processed Through USPS Facility
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
June 9, 2023, 2:14 pm

Anyone have a perspective on this? How can 2 of 3 similar items be delivered and one not? Should I be worried it's lost? Thanks!

Filed missing mail report with USPS a few days ago, no progress so far. Called DFA webchat yesterday and they said after 3 weeks from date of mailing I can make a claim and they will initiate investigation and (hopefully) reprint the passport. So close yet so far...

AngloIrish wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:02 pm

An update:

Applied online: 24/04/2023
Sent documents (from UK, Royal Mail): 25/04/2023
Documents arrived (according to Royal Mail): 03/05/2023
Documents received (according to DFA): 03/05/2023
Estimated issue date: 31/05/2023
Witness was called: Today 21/06/2023
Printing: Today 21/06/2023

To hopefully help some other posters here:

I sent a certified colour copy of both my FBR certificate and my driving license. Both were colour copied and certified as true copies by my solicitor. Both were accepted. No passport sent. No copy of passport sent. I hope this helps. Good luck all.

Thanks for the update I feel a reassured now that I've sent satisfactory documents (assuming all the people processing follow the same logic).

Only concern I have now is the 3 week delay you had between estimated issue date and your witness being called because my witness is a teacher and the schools break up for summer soon!

TrishMc wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:11 am

TrishMc wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 17, 2023 11:31 pm

My documents, passport card and passport were all mailed from Dublin on June 9 (to US). Have received docs and pp card, but passport tracking says it has been in NY Customs since the day it got there - see tracking below.

Processed Through USPS Facility
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
June 9, 2023, 2:14 pm

Anyone have a perspective on this? How can 2 of 3 similar items be delivered and one not? Should I be worried it's lost? Thanks!

Filed missing mail report with USPS a few days ago, no progress so far. Called DFA webchat yesterday and they said after 3 weeks from date of mailing I can make a claim and they will initiate investigation and (hopefully) reprint the passport. So close yet so far...

Oh no, sorry to hear that! Keep us updated. I’m curious, are you also in NY? Or maybe that’s just the first customs stop for all US mail?

My A Post tracker says my passport delivery was “received in US” yesterday. Hoping it won’t be held up there for too long…

mmmcgee wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 23, 2023 7:26 am

TrishMc wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:11 am

TrishMc wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 17, 2023 11:31 pm

My documents, passport card and passport were all mailed from Dublin on June 9 (to US). Have received docs and pp card, but passport tracking says it has been in NY Customs since the day it got there - see tracking below.

Processed Through USPS Facility
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
June 9, 2023, 2:14 pm

Anyone have a perspective on this? How can 2 of 3 similar items be delivered and one not? Should I be worried it's lost? Thanks!

Filed missing mail report with USPS a few days ago, no progress so far. Called DFA webchat yesterday and they said after 3 weeks from date of mailing I can make a claim and they will initiate investigation and (hopefully) reprint the passport. So close yet so far...

Oh no, sorry to hear that! Keep us updated. I’m curious, are you also in NY? Or maybe that’s just the first customs stop for all US mail?

My A Post tracker says my passport delivery was “received in US” yesterday. Hoping it won’t be held up there for too long…

Not in NY but on the east coast. All incoming from Dublin goes through Customs in NY first.

Small update, it took a while but the second birth certificate I posted arrived in Ireland that they requested as additional documentation (even though I posted one originally). Unexpectedly, I received my original documents back (minus missing birth certificate), including my UK passport (I posted the original passport). So I can travel! Hurrah!

Now it says my Irish passport estimated issue will be 13th July. Which is a bit depressing. They've already checked all the documents, and even called my witness. I suspect all they need to do is tick a box now to say birth certificate arrived.

Fingers crossed it'll happen soon.

Final update. Thanks all on this fbr and passport journey

My timeline is as follows

Online application 30/04/23
Docs received/processing application (verifying docs) 10/05/23
Processing application 17/05/23
Printing passbook 17/06/23
Dispatched - 20/06/23
Received - 22/06/23
Estimated issue date 08/06/23

Passport dispatch update:

International Transit
Processed Through USPS Facility
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
June 22, 2023, 1:58 pm

Can anyone share how long their passport has sat in NY customs for? I live in Boston.

hummingbear wrote: ↑

Tue May 16, 2023 4:13 pm

hummingbear wrote: ↑

Mon May 15, 2023 3:07 pm

hummingbear wrote: ↑

Fri May 12, 2023 3:39 pm

How long did folks passport from Ireland sit in NY Customs? Mine has been there for 3-days with no update

Processed Through USPS Facility
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
May 9, 2023, 2:04 pm

At a week now with no updates from USPS. Still the same message that it's in customs. Have folks who have received their passport had the same delays with ISC New York?

Anyone who has already received their passport, how long did yours sit in NY Customs for?

Did you receive your passport in the end? If so, how long did it take in customs?

Patpatriot wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:09 pm

FED EX and UPS will NOT deliver to PO Box. I have used USPS about 4 times sending documents to Ireland, they have all arrived within 10 days of sending (From East Coast). I used Priority International. Easy to track in the US then transfers over to AN POST in Ireland, same tracking number.

Didn’t see this being addressed else where but FedEx, UPS, DHL CAN deliver to a P.O. Box in Ireland and most countries, it’s just the local US staff believe they can’t because only USPS delivers to US based P.O. Boxes. You have to tell them it’s possible, but both times I have done it, they arrived exactly when they courier said it would. No one needs to stress to get the street address.

Source: Successful FBR in hand via FedEx application and just sent my passport application which was received today.

TrishMc wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 23, 2023 11:07 am

mmmcgee wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 23, 2023 7:26 am

TrishMc wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 22, 2023 11:11 am

TrishMc wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 17, 2023 11:31 pm

My documents, passport card and passport were all mailed from Dublin on June 9 (to US). Have received docs and pp card, but passport tracking says it has been in NY Customs since the day it got there - see tracking below.

Processed Through USPS Facility
ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
June 9, 2023, 2:14 pm

Anyone have a perspective on this? How can 2 of 3 similar items be delivered and one not? Should I be worried it's lost? Thanks!

Filed missing mail report with USPS a few days ago, no progress so far. Called DFA webchat yesterday and they said after 3 weeks from date of mailing I can make a claim and they will initiate investigation and (hopefully) reprint the passport. So close yet so far...

Oh no, sorry to hear that! Keep us updated. I’m curious, are you also in NY? Or maybe that’s just the first customs stop for all US mail?

My A Post tracker says my passport delivery was “received in US” yesterday. Hoping it won’t be held up there for too long…

Not in NY but on the east coast. All incoming from Dublin goes through Customs in NY first.

Still no word from the USPS missing mail report on the 17th, so did another webchat with DFA. Last week they said they would initiate the replacement process 3 weeks after mailing, so called today expecting to start the process. Tried webchat again today and the rep was not sure if that was posslble after 3 weeks - she thought it was 8-10 weeks but sent it up the chain to her manager. Anyone have any experience with this (pp book lost in the mail, reprint)?

I submitted my passport application online last week and I’ve got my passport form signed & witnessed along with all of the other documents gathered, but frustratingly I’m waiting on paper copies of my bank statement and phone bill to be sent, it’s been a pain trying to get them and I had to pay for one of them, but I have online statements with my address printed on them, has anyone printed their statements out and sent them instead of an “original” posted copy and was it accepted?