FAQ
From 1 January 2012 new Danish passports must contain digital photos, fingerprints and signatures. In this way the security against forgery and misuse of passports is strengthened considerably. Passports issued before 1 January 2012 already hold a digital photo of the holder. Your present passport is still valid until the date of expiry.
The decision to introduce fingerprints in passports was made at central level in the EU as part of the combat against terrorism, human trade, human trafficking, illegal immigration and other transnational crime. With the new biometric passport Danish citizens are secured the possibility to travel to countries which in the future will demand this type of passport for entry.
With the new passport you are better protected against someone stealing your identity and pretending to be you and against forgery of your passport.
In order to issue the new passport, special equipment for taking photos and recording fingerprints and signature was installed. The applications must be handed to and handled by specially authorized staff, who has access to certain data in the central citizens registry, the CPR.
Another consequence of the new passport type, is a reduction in the number of passport issuing Danish missions abroad. The Danish Consulates in Ireland is no longer able to receive applications for biometric passports for adults and for children between 12 and 18 years of age.
Passport applications can only be made at the Embassy in Dublin, unless the applicant is a child younger than 12 years of age, in which case an application can be made at the Danish Consulates in Ireland.
What can be handled by the Honorary Consulate in Ireland from 1 January 2012?
After 1 January 2012 the Consulates in Ireland can still extend the validity of passports and issue emergency passports.
Biometric passports will no longer be issued by Danish Consulates in Ireland and must be applied for at the Embassy in Dublin. However, if the applicant is a child younger that 12 years of age, it is still possible to apply for a Danish passport at Danish Consulates in Ireland.
Can I get a new passport during my holiday in Denmark?
Yes. It is possible – and cheaper – to apply for a new Danish passport at a municipality (kommune) in Denmark. All Danish citizens can apply for a passport at the Citizen Service Centre (Borgerservicecenter) in any municipality. It is not necessary for you to reside in or in other way be attached to the municipality. You can find addresses of Citizen Service Centres at www.kommune.dk. You may wish to call beforehand for information on opening hours, booking of appointment etc. and inform them that you reside abroad. Processing time for an ordinary passport is approximately 10-14 days. The Citizen Service Centre can issue an express passport faster than 10-14 days and an extra fee will be charged.
We recommend that you apply for a passport during your stay in Denmark well ahead of your departure, in order to receive the new passport before you leave Denmark. Alternatively you can make an arrangement with the Citizen Service Centre to send your new passport via courier service to the Embassy in Dublin. The new passport can be collected at the Embassy and the expired passport cancelled. An additional fee to the Embassy of €25 applies.
Must I present myself at the Danish Embassy in Dublin again to collect my new passport?
You may collect your new passport yourself at the Embassy, or an arrangement can be made to have the new passport sent by registered mail to your Irish address. However, your old passport must be handed in/sent to the Embassy for cancellation, before the new passport can be delivered to you.
Must I bring photos for the passport?
No. With the new biometrics equipment the Embassy takes photos for the passport. So if you apply for renewal of passport you no longer need to bring photos after 1 January 2012. If you apply for an emergency passport you must bring 2 photos. If you apply for a passport for a child younger than 12 years of age at the Danish Consulates in Ireland you must bring 2 passport-photographs. In these cases, see requirements for passport photos.
When applying at the Embassy, we recommend that parents bring 2 photos of children younger than 3 years of age, as it can be very difficult for us to take photos of very young children.
Can I apply for a biometric passport if my finger is injured?
That depends on the extent of the injury. According to the law biometric data must always be contained in a biometric passport. This means that if for example your whole hand is covered by plaster or bandages, only an emergency passport can be issued to you. However, if only the index finger is injured a biometric passport can be issued. In that case fingerprint will be taken of an alternative finger.
Must children also give their fingerprints?
No. Fingerprints are not collected from children younger than 12 years of age, but they still have to appear in person in order to apply for a passport. For this reason application for passport for a child younger that 12 years of age, can now be made at the Danish Consulates in Ireland.
Can my child be included in my passport?
No. Since 1 October 2004 children, also newborn and unnamed children, must have their own passport.
As of 26.06.2012 it is no longer possible for a child to travel on parents' passport.