Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
767. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is common procedure for a person to have a different number on their passport book than their passport card if they have both simultaneously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43696/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery Irish passport book and passport card issued has a unique identifying number. The format of these unique numbers is also different for passport books than for passport cards.
An Irish passport book number starts with either the letter P or L, which is immediately followed by a second random letter and 7 digits. This number is located on the top, right-hand side of the data page. Passport books are normally valid for either five or ten years.
An Irish passport card number starts with the letter C, which is followed by 8 digits. The number is located on the front of the card in the top, right-hand corner. The passport card is valid for travel to all EU Member States, the members of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Passport cards are valid for a maximum of five years.
