Uutiset, 20.5.2018

Passport

How to apply for a passport

A passport and a Finnish Identity card must be applied in person at the Embassy or the local police office in Finland. Also children must visit the Embassy in person with their guardian when applying. In Norway the Embassy in Oslo is the only place where you can apply for a new passport.

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 Embassy. This means that the registration of birth, marriage, divorce, nationality or name change has to be completed in Finland by a local magistrate office before a passport application can be submitted.

Magistrate Offices(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.)

Required documents

The following documents are required:

  • Passport or ID card
  • One passport photograph. The photo must be recent (max. 6 months old) and the head size in the photo should be 32 - 36 mm from the chin to the top of the head. Facial expression must be neutral (mouth closed) and background should be light coloured. We advice not to use photo booths or home made photos.

Please see all the passport photo guidelines via this link: Passport photo guidelines(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.) (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan)

  • Applicants under 18 years must have parents'/guardians' consent. If both guardians cannot be present when applying then a written consent from the absent guardian must be presented. Also copies of their passports must be provided.

Important note:

  • Applicants with dual/multi citizenship shoud prove that they have retained/will retain their Finnish citizenship after the age of 22.
  • Male applicants of military service age (18–30 years) should present proof of the military service or an exemption document from the Finnish Defence Forces.
  • If applicants passport has been lost or stolen a police report must be presented when applying.
  • Applicants change of name due to marriage etc. must be registered to the Finnish Population Register before applying for the passport. Also, please make sure you have updated your current Norwegian address to the Finnish register.
  • Finnish citizen born abroad must be registered to the Population Register Centre before applying for the passport.

Passport fees, process and collection/delivery

Passport fee is payable in Norwegian crones upon applying by debit/credit card. Current fees are available here: Service Fees(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.) (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan).

Normal processing time is about a week.

Passport can be collected from the Embassy in person or by a person authorised by the applicant. Collections within passport service hours. Upon request the passport can also be posted, which will cost 155 NOK extra.

Previous passport becomes invalid automatically when the new passport is released. Previous passport must still be annulled.

Lost or stolen passport

Theft or loss of a valid passport must be reported to the police and a police report should be presented when applying for a new passport. The applicant must be able to prove their identity in another reliable way and provide a new passport photo.

Emergency passport

Emergency passport can be issued to a person only in a valid emergency type situation e.g. if a passport has been lost or stolen. Reliable clarifications are required. Emergency passports are usually issued only accordingly with the necessary travel plan for instance returning back to the country of residence.

Please note that emergency passport is not a biometric passport and and not all countries would accept it for entry, i.e. USA requires a visa for emergency passports.

First passport for a Finnish citizen born abroad

Before a passport application can be processed, the child must be registered to the Finnish Population Register Centre. When the registration is completed and the child has a Finnish identity code a passport can be issued. A child must be present when the passport is applied. Please note that a minor will also need all guardians' consent and a copy of their passport to apply.

General information

  • All Finnish passports issued after August 2006 are biometric passports. Please note that passports issued before that date remain valid until their expiration date.
  • There is a chip inside the passport which contains personal details, photo, passport information and fingerprints.

  • The passport is valid maximum five years.

  • Children cannot be entered onto a parents' passport and have to apply for their own passports. Since 25.6.2012 childred are required their own passport and therefore cannot travel in their guardians passport anymore.

  • An emergency passport can be processed only in valid emergency situations.

  • High quality of the passport photos is required.

  • Previous passport becomes invalid automatically when the new passport is released. Previous passport must still be annulled.