Frequently Asked Questions
The standard Maltese passport is burgundy. This is the official colour used for passports issued to Maltese citizens, in line with the common EU passport design.
This is not handled by the Passport Office. Please check with your airline, travel agent, the Immigration Police, or the authorities of the country you are travelling to.
This matter does not fall within the Passport Office’s remit. Customers must confirm this with their airline, travel agency, Immigration Police, or the authorities of the country to which they are travelling.
- Form A, available here: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, and 9 completed.
- Section 7 must be completed only for first-time applicants, applicants with a lost, damaged, or destroyed passport, or applicants who live abroad. It must be completed by a recommender who is a Maltese citizen living in Malta, holds a university degree, and has known the applicant for at least two years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of profession. If they do not have a stamp, they must include their warrant or registration number.
- If you live abroad and do not have a Maltese ID card, you must present one passport photo endorsed and signed by the same recommender.
- Your original valid ID card.
- Your previous passport, if available.
- You must submit all documents in person at the Passport Office.
- A facial biometric image and fingerprints will be taken at the Passport Office. Your signature will also be required.
- Form A, available here: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 9 completed.
- Section 7 must be completed by a recommender who is a Maltese citizen living in Malta, holds a university degree, and has known the applicant for at least two years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of profession. If they do not have a stamp, they must include their warrant or registration number.
- Section 6 must be signed by both parents in the presence of the recommender.
- The recommender must witness both signatures and sign the form.
- Both parents’ original valid ID cards.
- The child’s original valid 16+ ID card.
- The previous passport, if available.
- At least one parent must submit all documents at the Passport Office.
- A facial biometric image and fingerprints will be taken at the Passport Office. The applicant’s signature will also be required.
- Form A, available here: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 completed.
- Section 7 must be completed by a recommender who is a Maltese citizen living in Malta, holds a university degree, and has known the applicant for at least two years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of profession. If they do not have a stamp, they must include their warrant or registration number.
- Section 6 must be signed by both parents in the presence of the recommender.
- The recommender must witness both signatures and sign the form.
- Both parents’ original valid ID cards.
- The child’s original valid 14+ ID card.
- The previous passport, if available.
- At least one parent must submit all documents at the Passport Office.
- A facial biometric image and fingerprints will be taken at the Passport Office. The applicant’s signature will also be required.
- Form A, available here: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 completed.
- Section 7 must be completed by a recommender who is a Maltese citizen living in Malta, holds a university degree, and has known the applicant for at least two years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of profession. If they do not have a stamp, they must include their warrant or registration number.
- Section 6 must be signed by both parents in the presence of the recommender.
- The recommender must witness both signatures and sign the form.
- One passport photo must be provided, endorsed and signed on the back by the same recommender who signed Sections 6 and 7 of Form A. The photo must be recent, taken within the last three months, and must not be the same photo used in the previous passport.
- The endorsement must read: “This is a true likeness of (child’s name and surname)”, followed by the recommender’s signature underneath.
- Both parents’ original valid ID cards.
- The previous passport, if available.
- At least one parent must submit all documents at the Passport Office.
- A facial biometric image will be taken at the Passport Office. Children aged 12 and over will also have their fingerprints taken.
- Form A, available here: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 completed.
- Section 7 must be completed by a recommender who is a Maltese citizen living in Malta, holds a university degree, and has known the applicant for at least two years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of profession. If they do not have a stamp, they must include their warrant or registration number.
- Section 6 must be signed by both parents in the presence of the recommender. The recommender must witness both signatures and sign the form.
- Two identical passport photos must be provided. One must be endorsed and signed on the back by the same recommender who signed Sections 6 and 7 of Form A. The photos must be recent, taken within the last three months, and must not be the same photos used in the previous passport.
- The endorsement must read: “This is a true likeness of (child’s name and surname)”, followed by the recommender’s signature underneath.
- Both parents’ original valid ID cards.
- The previous passport, if available.
- At least one parent must submit all documents at the Passport Office.
Passport photos must be recent, professionally printed, in colour, and taken against a white background. The photo size must be 45mm x 35mm.
The face must cover at least 75% of the photo. The applicant must face the camera directly, keep a neutral expression with no teeth showing, and ensure that no clothing covers the face.
Caps, hats, and hair accessories are not allowed, except for religious reasons.
The eyes and eyebrows must be clearly visible and not covered by hair. Applicants who wear glasses should remove them to ensure an accurate biometric image can be taken.
If your previous passport is lost, destroyed, or stolen and is still valid, you must present the original Maltese Police report, stamped and signed. An additional fee of €15 applies.
From age 14, the original valid 14+ ID card must be presented when applying. From age 16, the original valid 16+ ID card must be presented.
No. You must first apply for a new ID card. Once you have the new physical valid ID card, you may apply for a passport.
No. A driving licence is not accepted. Only the original valid ID card may be presented when applying.
- Applicants aged 16 years and over (September to March): €70
- Applicants from 16 years and over (April to Aug): €80
- Applicants 10-15 years: €40
- Applicants under 10 years: €16
- Oath for a lost, destroyed, or stolen passport: €15
- Arabic Translation: €15
- Document of Identity: €10
- Emergency Travel Document: €10
- Alien Passport: €80
- CTD (Refugee – Convention Travel Document): €80
- Second Passport (for work purposes only): €135
Courier fees for passports sent abroad for collection vary by country (details available at the office).
Urgent Passports Fees
- Applicants from 16 years and over (Sept to March): €160
- Applicants from 16 years and over (April to Aug): €160
- Applicants 10-15 years: €80
- Applicants under 10 years: €60
- Alien Passport: €160
- CTD (Refugee – Convention Travel Document): €160
- Second Passport (for work purposes only): €295
Yes. Payment may be made by cash, bank card, or cheque payable to Identità. Cheques are not accepted for urgent passport applications or for amounts under €20.
No. Applicants must attend the Passport Office in person for biometrics, including a live photo, fingerprints, and signature. Children under 6 do not need to attend in person because no live biometrics are required.
No. Passports must be collected from the office by:
- the applicant, if aged 18 or over;
- one parent and the applicant, if the applicant is aged 12 to 17;
- one parent only, if the applicant is aged 11 or under.
A passport is normally issued and ready for collection after four working days. An urgent passport is normally issued within four working hours. This applies only to passport applications submitted locally.
Yes. Urgent applications are processed within four working hours.
Yes, every time a passport is renewed, a new passport number is issued.
No. The date of issue shows the date on which the new passport is printed.
Passport Office Malta: Onda Building, Aldo Moro Road, Marsa, Malta.
Passport Office Gozo: The Tower, 1st Floor, Triq Fortunato Mizzi, Victoria, Gozo.
If you are abroad, you may apply through a Maltese embassy or consulate.
The opening hours in Malta and Gozo offices are:
Monday to Friday: 7:30 to 14:00
Wednesday also opens in the afternoon, from 15:00 to 18:00.
Saturday: 7:30 to 11:00
No. Wednesday is the only day the Passport Office in Malta is open in the afternoon, from 15:00 to 18:00.
No. If the previous passport is not returned, a new passport cannot be applied for outside office hours. Applications can only be made during office hours.
Yes. An after-hours service is available for emergency cases only. You can call +356 79473656 for assistance.
Emergency cases may include medical emergencies, situations where the passport does not have the required six months’ validity for entry into non-EU countries, or cases where the passport has expired without the applicant noticing.
No. It is not mandatory, but it is recommended to avoid waiting times. Appointments can be booked online on the Passport Office booking website https://passportbooking.identita.gov.mt/v2/
Waiting times may vary depending on the day and time. Booking an appointment online may help reduce waiting time.
It is best to book an appointment online so you can choose a suitable time slot and minimise waiting time.
Yes. You will be allowed priority access. It is still recommended to book an appointment online so you can choose a suitable time slot and be served more quickly.
Yes. You must complete Passport Application Form A.
Section 7 must be completed, signed, and stamped by a recommender, whether the previous passport was still valid or had expired. If the previous passport was still valid, you must also present the original Maltese Police report, stamped and signed. An additional fee of €15 applies.
Yes. Since your previous passport will not be presented with the application, a recommender is required.
If your new passport has not yet been printed or prepared for collection, you may request a refund by speaking to the customer care officials at the Passport Office. If the previous passport was reported lost to the Police and a Police report was presented with the application, that passport can no longer be used.
No. The Police officer must print the report and sign and stamp it. Only a Police report issued in this way can be accepted.
No. Once a Police report has been filed, Interpol is informed and the passport can no longer be used. You must apply for a new passport and pay the applicable fee.
If your previous passport was still valid, an additional €15 oath fee applies on top of the passport fee.
If your previous passport had expired, no extra fee applies.
A recommender is not required for applicants aged 18 or over, except for first-time applications, applications from persons living abroad, or applications involving a lost, stolen, or damaged passport. For applicants under 18, a recommender is required.
A recommender is a professional who has known the applicant for at least two years. The recommender must be a Maltese, EU, or Commonwealth citizen living in Malta and must hold a university degree.
The recommender certifies the applicant’s photograph, confirms that both parents signed the application form where required, and confirms that they have personally known the applicant or the applicant’s family for at least two years. The recommender must complete Section 7 of the application form and use a rubber stamp or include their warrant or registration number to confirm their profession.
This endorsement is mainly required for:
- first-time applicants;
- applicants with a lost, stolen, or damaged passport;
- persons who do not live in Malta; and
- applicants under 18 years of age.
Complete and submit Application Form A. Section 7 must be completed, signed, and stamped by a recommender. You must present your original, valid Maltese ID card when applying. If any pages of the damaged passport are missing, you must also present the original Maltese Police report, stamped and signed.
Yes. If you apply for a new passport for any reason, the applicable passport fee must be paid again.
No. A recent photo taken within the last three months must be provided. The same photo used in the previous passport cannot be reused.
No. Children under 6 do not need to attend the Passport Office. Their photo must be ICAO compliant and will be scanned with the application.
Yes. The Passport Office is a public office, so children may accompany their parent or parents if needed.
Yes, if the photo is ICAO compliant, it may be scanned. A copy of the applicant’s diagnostic report relating to autism spectrum disorder will also be required.
Headscarves are only accepted for religious reasons under passport photo rules. In your case, the headscarf cannot be accepted in the passport photo.
The photo must be 45mm x 35mm, of good quality, and taken against a white background. The applicant must face the camera directly, keep their lips closed, and ensure that the eyebrows and chin are visible. Glasses are not allowed. Hair accessories are not allowed, except for religious reasons.
It means the photo must meet international passport photo standards. The background must be white, the applicant must look straight at the camera with a neutral expression and closed lips, and the eyebrows and chin must be visible. No glasses, hair accessories, or shadows are allowed. The photo must also be printed on good-quality photo paper.
No. Reading glasses and sunglasses must be removed before the passport photo is taken.
Fingerprints are taken from age 12 when applying and are verified again when the passport is collected.
Yes. The passport will still be biometric. You will simply be exempt from fingerprint capture, while your photo and signature will still be included.
The officer will attempt to scan your fingerprints. The system will then confirm whether the fingerprints meet the required quality standards. If they do not, the officer may exempt you from fingerprint capture. In that case, you must provide a medical certificate confirming the skin condition.
The officer will attempt to scan your fingerprints. The system will then confirm whether the fingerprints meet the required quality standards. If they do not, the officer may exempt you from fingerprint capture. In that case, you must provide a medical certificate confirming the condition affecting fingerprint capture.
No. It is important to use the same signature on all official documents. If you present a valid ID card when applying, the passport signature must match the signature on that ID card.
Yes. Parental consent is required for all applicants under 18. Applicants aged 18 or over may apply without parental consent.
For persons aged 0 to 9, the passport is valid for 2 years.
For persons aged 10 to 15, the passport is valid for 5 years.
For persons aged 16 and over, the passport is valid for 10 years.
Passports for minors under 10 are valid for 2 years.
Passports for minors aged 10 to 15 are valid for 5 years.
Passports for minors aged 16 or 17 are valid for 10 years.
Children under 6 do not need to attend the office. Their photo must be provided for scanning with the application. Once a child turns 6, they must attend with their parent or parents so a live biometric photo can be taken.
The father must go to the nearest Maltese embassy or consulate with his original valid ID card or passport to complete Consent Form I. The signed form and authenticated document copy will then be sent to the Passport Office by email and attached to the original Form A submitted in Malta.
Yes. The previous passport is cancelled and returned to you together with the new passport.
No. Fingerprints must be verified, and a personal signature is required at collection, so each person must collect their own passport.
No. The passport will be cancelled, but the visa may remain valid. You should confirm this with the authority that issued the visa before travelling.
Yes. You may still collect the passport if you present your original valid ID card.
No. You must first apply for a new ID card. Once you have the new physical valid ID card, you may collect your passport. Passports can only be collected with the original valid ID card.
Please contact Public Registry on pubreg.foreignregistrations.identita@gov.mt.
An original birth certificate is not required when applying. However, the details of all applicants must be registered with the Public Registry.
Persons born in Malta normally have their birth registered automatically. Persons born abroad must register their foreign birth and, where applicable, their marriage certificate before applying for a passport. A passport cannot be issued until the correct birth, and marriage details have been uploaded to the passport system.
Any name change must first be updated with the Public Registry. Once the updated details appear in the passport system, you must submit Form A together with an updated Maltese ID card. The previous passport is also required, if available.
No. Foreign deed polls are not accepted for this purpose. You must speak with a Maltese lawyer to file the necessary application with the Maltese court. Once the change is reflected on your birth certificate, you may apply for a passport with the updated name.
All documents must show the same name and surname. This also helps avoid problems when travelling.
Your marriage certificate must first be registered. Once the new details are visible in the ID card system, you must apply for a new ID card. After collecting the new ID card, you may apply for a new passport.
You must register your original apostilled marriage certificate with the Malta Public Registry. Once the updated surname appears in the system, you may apply for a passport.
Your original apostilled marriage certificates and divorce contract must be registered with the Public Registry so that your surname is updated correctly. Once the updated details appear in the system, you may apply for a passport.
Anyone residing in Malta must first apply for a national ID card before submitting a passport application. The original valid ID card must be presented when applying. Persons who do not reside in Malta and therefore do not hold a national ID card may still apply for a passport. In those cases, one passport photo endorsed and signed on the back by the same recommender who completes Section 7 of Form A must be provided instead.
If you do not have an original valid ID card, you must provide one passport photo endorsed and signed on the back by a Maltese recommender. The same recommender must also complete and sign Section 7 of Form A.
Your Maltese nationality must first be confirmed by the Citizenship Office in Valletta. For more information, contact citizenship@komunita.gov.mt. Once citizenship is confirmed, any foreign birth, marriage, or divorce certificates must be registered with the Malta Public Registry before a passport can be issued.
Yes. The Dual Nationality Letter confirms that you acquired Maltese citizenship by descent. This letter, or a copy of it, should always be provided when applying for or renewing a passport.
If you are renewing your passport, a copy of the citizenship certificate is sufficient. The original is required only for first-time passport applications.
Please contact the Citizenship Office at citizenship@komunita.gov.mt for guidance. If you are confirmed as a Maltese citizen, you must then register your original apostilled birth and, where applicable, marriage certificate with the Malta Public Registry before applying for a passport. You may also complete the citizenship process, birth registration, and passport application through your nearest Maltese embassy.
Please contact the Citizenship Office at citizenship@komunita.gov.mt for guidance. Once your children are confirmed as Maltese citizens, you may register their original apostilled birth certificates and then apply for their passports.
If you were born abroad, you may confirm your Maltese citizenship by contacting Aġenzija Komunità Malta in Valletta. If you live abroad, your nearest Maltese embassy can advise you on the documentation needed so you may complete the process without travelling to Malta.
Yes. It is lawful for a person to hold more than one nationality.
Please contact the Citizenship Office at citizenship@komunita.gov.mt for further assistance.
Maltese citizenship may be acquired by birth from one or both Maltese parents, by descent from Maltese ancestors, by naturalisation, or by registration. If neither parent is a Maltese citizen, an application must first be made to the Citizenship Office in Valletta if you may qualify under one of these routes.
Yes, provided that you present your original valid ID card showing your current address. No address is printed on the passport data page.
Yes. You may apply through a Maltese embassy.
Please inform the Maltese embassy of your intention to collect the passport in Malta. The embassy will note this on your application so the passport can be collected from the office in Malta.
Before your passport application can be processed, the Citizenship Office must confirm your Maltese nationality and your original apostilled birth and, where applicable, marriage certificates must be registered with the Malta Public Registry. Once your details are uploaded to the system, your passport application can be sent to Malta for processing. For updates, please contact the embassy handling your case.
If you are renewing your passport, inform the embassy that you require an urgent passport. The embassy will also advise you when the passport should be ready. The urgent fee applies.
A diplomatic passport may only be issued once the applicant receives signed confirmation from the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, together with the voucher issued by the same ministry.
A passport may still be issued if the applicant files the required application with the Maltese court and presents the relevant decree when applying. The decree must be stamped and signed as a true copy by the Deputy Registrar of the court.
Unless authorised by the Maltese court, both parents must give consent for a minor’s passport and must provide their original valid ID cards or passports when applying.
Care and custody, even if exclusive, are not enough on their own for one parent to sign the passport application alone. The court application or contract must include a clause stating that one parent may sign without the other parent’s consent.
Yes, a person may still apply for a passport. Owing child support or taxes does not prevent a person from holding a valid passport or travelling out of Malta, unless restrictions have been imposed by the police authorities or the court.
Persons who have refugee status or subsidiary protection in Malta are issued with a travel document. Stateless persons cannot be issued with this travel document and may only hold their national passport.
No. Every passport renewal requires new live biometrics, including a photo, signature, and fingerprints where applicable, taken at the office in Malta or at a Maltese embassy. Therefore, every applicant aged 6 or over must attend in person.
Please send this request by email to passports.identita@gov.mt. A passport official will then send you the required documentation and guidance.
All passports issued from 2008 onwards are chip encoded. A gold chip symbol is printed on the front cover of each Maltese passport.
A chip-encoded passport, also known as an e-passport or biometric passport, is a standard passport with an embedded microchip that securely stores the holder’s personal and biometric data.
You may speak to the customer care officers, who will refer your complaint to the appropriate senior staff member.
The Passport Office issues Maltese passports for Maltese citizens only.
Yes. The office is pet friendly.
Yes, there is a ground-floor entrance from Triq il-Karristi, Marsa.
No specific day or time can be guaranteed for easier parking.
Buses such as 74, 81, 82, 85, 119, 120, 204, and X4 are possible options for reaching Onda Building in Marsa, depending on your starting location.
Please bring the passport to the Passport Office at Onda Building, Marsa, so it can be cancelled.
Yes. Cabin crew members may apply for a new passport and keep their current passport in the meantime. An original crew card must be presented when applying.