Applying for a passport or an identity card

  1. The application must be submitted at the embassy in person.
  2. Make sure that your details are up to date in the population information system. Finnish citizens can, if they wish, check their registered data in the population information system once a year. To correct and revise the data, please contact your nearest Digital and Population Data Agency(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).
  3. You have to pay the fee for a passport or an identity card when you submit the application.
  4. A passport and an identity card are valid for a maximum of 5 years.
  5. It takes from a minimum of two weeks to up to several weeks to get an ordinary passport. A fast-track passport can normally be obtained faster, but the time of delivery depends on the country of issuance.

Passports and identity cards are issued at Finland's embassies, consulates general and consulates led by a career consul. Finland's Honorary Consulates in Germany (Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main) and Spain (Barcelona, Malaga, Las Palmas, Torrevieja) can issue passports.

Identity card

An identity card is a document that you can use to prove your identity in different kinds of public services. It can also be used for travel to a limited extent, and it has a chip that allows you to security log into public services. 

Finnish missions may grant standard and temporary identity cards. An identity card can be granted also to minors subject to parental consent.

Finnish missions do not accept applications for a minor’s identity card not requiring parental consent or for identity cards for foreigners.

Starting on 2 August 2021, the applicant’s fingerprints are stored in the identity card.

Applying for a passport or an identity card in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the Consulate General of Finland in Hong Kong is the only place where you can apply for a passport or an identity card.

Customer service at the Consulate General requires a prior appointment. You can book an appointment either by email or by calling the Consulate. When abroad, a passport must always be applied in person. Also children must visit the Consulate in person with their guardian when applying.

It is the applicant's personal responsibility to check that their personal information is correct and updated in the Finnish Population Register Centre before visiting the Consulate. This means that the registration of birth, marriage, divorce, nationalities, name change or change of address has to be completed in Finland by a local register office (maistraatti) before a passport application can be submitted. If you need to check or correct you personal information, please contact directly the Local Register Office(Link to another website.).

Passport fees, process and collection

Current fees are available here: Service Fees.

Normal processing time for a five year passport is approximately 2 weeks. The processing time for a fast-track passport is approximately 1 week.

The passport can be collected from the Consulate General of Finland in person or by a person authorized by the applicant. Collections within the Consulate’s office hours. The Consulate General of Finland in Hong Kong does not mail passports.