The Department is fully committed to the implementation of eGovernment in its services to the public. In this regard, it has recently introduced on line tracking of passport applications. This facility enables an applicant to track the progress of his or her application on line by entering the application number into the Passport Office website.
As regards a full on-line application process, this would pose a considerable challenge, and one which has been made more difficult in the post 9/11 security situation. At present in the EU, a full on on-line application facility is currently available in only two member states (Malta and Estonia). However, in both cases, the passport-issuing authority has access to a national identity database which simplifies the verification of citizenship and identity. In the absence of such a database, the verification process requires the submission of supporting documentation such as certificates of birth or marriage, and the witnessing both of photographs of the applicant and his/her signature in order to verify the correctness and accuracy of the details submitted. In some cases, it may also be necessary to submit a previous passport. The Department will continue to keep the matters of on-line application facilities under review to see whether evolving technology will in time provide a solution.
