- Ireland recalls several passports due to printing error
- 12,904 passports affected – from December 23 to January 6
- Those affected must return their passports and another one will be reissued.
The country’s Department of Foreign Affairs has recalled up to 13,000 Irish passports due to a botched software update that leaves the documents unusable.
Affected passports, printed between December 23, 2025 and January 6, 2026, do not comply with international travel regulations and must be returned to the passport office.
“Due to a technical issue with a software update, passports issued between December 23, 2025 and January 6, 2026 inclusively do not fully comply with international travel standards,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “There is a possibility that some passport holders may encounter problems at electronic gates and border control when travelling.”
Poorly printed documents
The glitch, a printer error, supposedly means thousands of passports do not include the letters “IRL.” This may mean that travelers could face problems passing through travel checks.
There is currently no estimate of how much this error and the withdrawal process will cost the Irish Passport Service. Affected travelers do not need to apply for a new passport, just return it to: Passport Return – Customer Care, Passport Service, 42-47 Lower Mount St, Dublin 2 – D02 TN83 Ireland.
Border services around the world have been notified of the withdrawal and all reissued passports will receive a new passport number.
“The Passport Service has contacted affected customers by email to inform them of the issue and will reissue passports to them in the coming days and weeks.”
“Our public office in Dublin can accept affected passports.” This is confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. “We will endeavor to reissue your passport within the day, depending on the date of your travel. Please come to our Dublin office between 9:00 and 12:30, Monday to Friday, with your passport booklet (and card, if applicable) and proof of imminent travel.”
“The Passport Service sincerely regrets this issue and apologizes to affected citizens for the inconvenience caused.”
Through: Irish times
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