Frequently Asked Questions
The standard Maltese passport is burgundy in colour. This is the official colour for passports issued to Maltese citizens, in line with the common EU passport design.
This matter does not fall within the Passport Office’s remit. It is always best to confirm with the airline, travel agency, Immigration Police, or the authorities of the country to which the person is travelling.
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.
Adults eighteen (18) years of age and over
- Form A, which can be downloaded from this link: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, and 9 duly filled in.
- Section 7 must be filled in only for first-time applicants, if the passport is lost, damaged, or destroyed, or if the applicant resides abroad. It must be filled in by a recommender, a Maltese citizen residing in Malta, holding a university degree, who has known the applicant for at least two (2) years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of their profession. In the absence of a stamp, the warrant or registration number must be included.
- If the applicant resides abroad and does not have a Maltese ID card, they must present a passport photo endorsed and signed by the same recommender.
- The original, valid ID card must be presented.
- The previous passport must be presented, if available.
- All the above documentation must be submitted at the Passport Office by the applicant.
- A facial biometric image and fingerprints will be taken at the Passport Office. The applicant’s signature will also be required.
Minors between sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) years of age
- Form A, which can be downloaded from this link: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 9 duly filled in.
- Section 7: must be filled in by a recommender, a Maltese citizen residing in Malta holding a university degree who has known the applicant for at least two (2) years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of their profession. In the absence of a stamp, the warrant or registration number must be included.
- Section 6: Both parents must sign in the presence of the recommender.
The recommender must witness both parents’ signatures and sign as well. - Both parents’ original, valid ID cards must be presented.
- The child’s original, valid 16+ ID card must be presented.
- The previous passport must be presented, if available.
- All the above documentation must be submitted at the Passport Office by at least one parent.
- A facial biometric image and fingerprints will be taken at the Passport Office. The applicant’s signature will also be required.
Minors between fourteen (14) and fifteen (15) years of age
- Form A, which can be downloaded from this link: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 duly filled in.
- Section 7: must be filled in by a recommender, a Maltese citizen residing in Malta holding a university degree who has known the applicant for at least two (2) years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of their profession. In the absence of a stamp, the warrant or registration number must be included.
- Section 6: Both parents must sign in the presence of the recommender.
The recommender must witness both parents’ signatures and sign as well. - Both parents’ original, valid ID cards must be presented.
- The child’s original, valid 14+ ID card must be presented.
- The previous passport must be presented, if available.
- All the above documentation must be submitted at the Passport Office by at least one parent.
- A facial biometric image and fingerprints will be taken at the Passport Office. The applicant’s signature will also be required.
Children between six (6) and thirteen (13) years of age
- Form A, which can be downloaded from this link: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 duly filled in.
- Section 7: must be filled in by a recommender, a Maltese citizen residing in Malta holding a university degree who has known the applicant for at least two (2) years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of their profession. In the absence of a stamp, the warrant or registration number must be included.
- Section 6: Both parents must sign in the presence of the recommender.
The recommender must witness both parents’ signatures and sign as well. - One (1) passport photo must be presented, 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 past three (3) months, and must not be the same as the photo used in the previous passport.
- The endorsement must read as follows: “This is a true likeness of (name and surname of child),” followed by the recommender’s signature underneath.
- Both parents’ original, valid ID cards must be presented.
- The previous passport must be presented, if available.
- All the above documentation must be submitted at the Passport Office by at least one parent.
- A facial biometric image will be taken at the Passport Office. Children aged twelve (12) years and over will also have their fingerprints captured.
Children under six (6) years of age
- Form A, which can be downloaded from this link: https://identita.gov.mt/form-a/, with Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 duly filled in.
- Section 7: must be filled in by a recommender, a Maltese citizen residing in Malta holding a university degree who has known the applicant for at least two (2) years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp as proof of their profession. In the absence of a stamp, the warrant or registration number must be included.
- Section 6: Both parents must sign in the presence of the recommender.
The recommender must witness both parents’ signatures and sign as well. - Two (2) identical passport photos must be presented, one (1) of which 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 past three (3) months, and must not be the same as the photo used in the previous passport.
- The endorsement must read as follows: “This is a true likeness of (name and surname of child),” followed by the recommender’s signature underneath.
- Both parents’ original, valid ID cards must be presented.
- The previous passport must be presented, if available.
- All the above documentation must be submitted at the Passport Office by at least one parent.
Additional information
If the previous passport is lost, destroyed, or stolen and is still valid, an original Maltese Police report, stamped and signed, must be presented. An additional fee of €15 is applicable.
Passport Photo Guidelines as per ICAO
- Passport photos must be recent, printed to a professional standard, in colour, and taken against a white background. Size must be 45mm x 35mm.
- The face must cover at least 75% of the photo. The applicant must face the camera directly, have a neutral expression with no teeth showing, and ensure that no clothing touches the face.
- No caps, hats or any hair accessories are allowed, except for religious reasons.
- The eyes and eyebrows must be clearly visible and not covered by any hair. Applicants who wear glasses should remove them to ensure that an accurate biometric can be obtained.
From the age of fourteen (14), the original 14+ ID card must be presented upon application. Once they turn sixteen, the original 16+ ID Card must be presented.
No, a new ID card must first be applied for, and once the new physical, valid ID card is in hand, the applicant may apply for a passport.
No, a driving licence is not accepted. Only the original, valid ID card must be presented upon application.
- 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 if the passport is requested urgently, or if the amount to be paid is under €20.
When applying for a passport, the applicant must visit the Passport Office in person for biometrics (live photo, fingerprints, signature). Children under the age of six (6) are not required to attend in person, as no live biometrics are required.
No, the passport must be collected from the office by:
- the applicant themselves, if aged eighteen (18) years or over;
- by one of the parents and the applicant, if the applicant is between twelve (12) and seventeen (17) years of age;
- by one of the parents only, if the applicant is eleven (11) years of age or under.
A passport will be issued and may be collected after four (4) working days. An urgent passport will be issued within four (4) working hours. (This applies only to passport applications submitted locally.)
Urgent applications are processed within 4 working hours.
Yes, every time a passport is renewed, a new passport number is issued.
No, the date of issue of each passport reflects the date when 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.
Maltese embassies or consulates, if abroad.
Malta opening hours:
Monday to Friday, from 7:30 to 14:00
Wednesday also opens in the afternoon, from 15:00 to 18:00
Saturday from 7:30 till 11:00
Gozo opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 7:30 till 13:30
Saturday from 7:30 till 11:00
No, Wednesday is the only day the Passport Office in Malta is open in the afternoon from 15:00 till 18:00.
Unfortunately, a new passport cannot be applied for outside office hours if the previous passport is not returned. The customer can only apply during office hours.
Yes, our office offers an after-hours service for emergency cases only. One can call on +356 79473656 and someone will take the call.
Emergency cases may include medical emergencies, situations where the passport does not have the required six-month validity for entry into non-EU countries, or cases where the passport has expired without the applicant noticing.
It is not mandatory, but it is recommended to avoid waiting times. Bookings can be made on https://passportbooking.identita.gov.mt/.
Waiting times may vary depending on the day and time, but an appointment may be booked online to avoid delays.
It is best to book an appointment on https://passportbooking.identita.gov.mt/ to secure a suitable time slot and minimise waiting time.
Yes, you will be allowed to skip the queue. It is also recommended to book an appointment by visiting https://passportbooking.identita.gov.mt/ to find a suitable slot and be served immediately.
To apply for another passport, you must present Passport Application Form A.
Section 7 must be filled in, signed, and stamped by a recommender, whether the passport was still valid or expired. If the passport was still valid, an Original Police Report stamped and signed must be presented. An additional fee of €15 applies.
Yes, since your previous passport will not be presented on application, the recommendation is required.
If your new passport has not yet been printed or made ready for collection, you can apply for a refund by speaking to the customer care officials at the passport office. In cases where the previous passport has been reported lost to the Police and a Police report was presented with the application, that passport can no longer be used.
The police officer at the station must print the police report, sign it, and stamp it. Only a police report issued in this manner can be accepted.
No, once a police report is filed, Interpol is informed; therefore, the passport cannot be used again. A new passport must be applied for against the applicable fee.
If the previous passport is still valid, an additional fee of €15 for the oath is applicable along with the passport fee. If the previous passport is expired, no extra fee is applicable.
A recommender is not required for applicants who are eighteen (18) years of age or older, except in cases where the individual is applying for the first time, resides abroad, or has a lost, stolen, or damaged passport. However, for applicants under the age of eighteen, a recommendation is mandatory.
A recommender is a professional who has known the applicant for at least two (2) years. The recommender must be a Maltese, EU, or Commonwealth citizen residing in Malta who holds a university degree. The recommender’s role is primarily to certify the applicant’s photograph, verify that both parents have signed the application form, and confirm that they have personally known the applicant’s family for at least two years.
The recommender must fill in Section 7 of the application and use a rubber stamp or warrant/registration number to confirm their profession.
This endorsement is primarily required for:
- first-time applicants,
- those who have a lost, stolen or damaged passport,
- persons who do not reside in Malta, and
- applicants under 18 years of age.
Complete Passport Application Form A. Section 7 must be filled in, signed, and stamped by a recommender. An original Maltese ID card is required upon application and an Original Maltese Police Report stamped and signed must be presented if any pages of the damaged passport are missing.
Every time a passport is changed for any reason, the applicable fee must be paid on application.
No, the reason for renewing a passport is that both children and adults change over time, therefore recent photos (not older than three months) must be provided with the application.
Minors under the age of six (6) do not need to be present at the Passport Office. Their photo should be ICAO compliant and is scanned on application.
Yes, certainly. The Passport Office is a public office, and therefore children may accompany their parent or parents on the day.
If the photo provided is ICAO-compliant, it may be scanned. We will also need to take a copy of the applicant’s diagnostic report regarding autism spectrum disorder.
A headscarf is only permitted for religious reasons. In your circumstances, you will need to replace the scarf with a wig.
The photo must be passport-sized 40x30, of good quality, and taken against a white background. The applicant must be facing the camera directly, with lips closed (no teeth showing), and with the eyebrows and chin visible. Glasses/spectacles are not allowed. No hair accessories, except for religious reasons.
This means that passport photos must have a white background; the applicant must look straight at the camera, keep their lips closed, maintain a neutral facial expression, wear coloured clothing, keep the eyebrows and chin visible, wear no glasses or hair accessories, and ensure there are no shadows. The photo must also be printed on good-quality photo paper.
Reading glasses or sunglasses must be removed before the passport photo is taken.
From the age of twelve (12), fingerprints are captured upon application and must be verified again upon collection.
The passport will still be biometric; you will simply be exempt from fingerprint capture. You will still have your photo and signature.
The officer attempts to scan the fingerprints on the biometric device, but the system itself will validate if they meet quality standards. If not, the officer will exempt the applicant from fingerprint capture. The applicant must then provide a medical certificate regarding the skin condition.
The officer attempts to scan the fingerprints on the biometric device, but the system itself will validate if they meet quality standards. If not, the officer will exempt the applicant from fingerprint capture. The applicant must then provide a medical certificate regarding the skin condition.
It is important that all applicants use the same signature on all their documents. If a valid ID Card is presented on application, the same signature must be provided for the passport.
Parental consent is always required for minors between the ages of 0 and 17. Adults aged 18 or over can apply without consent.
For persons aged 0 to 9, the passport is valid for two (2) years.
For persons aged 10 to 15, the passport is valid for five (5) years.
For persons aged 16 and over, the passport is valid for ten (10) years.
The validity of passports for minors under ten is two years.
The validity of passports for minors between ten to fifteen years is five years.
The validity of passports for minors between sixteen and seventeen years is ten years.
For children under six (6) years of age, photos must be presented together with the form for scanning purposes. Once they turn six (6), children must accompany their parent or parents for their live biometric photo.
The father must visit the nearest Maltese embassy or consulate with his original, valid ID card or passport to complete Consent Form I. Both the signed form I and the authenticated document copy will be sent to our office via email. We will attach these documents with the original Forms A that you will be submitting.
Yes, we cancel the previous passport and give it back to you along with the new one.
Fingerprints must be confirmed on collection along with a personal signature. Therefore, every person must collect their own passport.
No, it will not be cancelled. Only the passport will be cancelled; the visa may remain valid for use. However, it is advisable to seek confirmation from the authority who has issued the visa in question.
Yes, we cancel the previous passport and give it back to you along with the new one.
No, you will need to apply for a new ID Card, and once you have the new ID Card in hand, you can come to 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 upon application, but the details of all applicants must be registered at the Public Registry.
Persons born in Malta have their birth certificate registered as part of the normal procedure. Persons born abroad need to register their foreign birth and/or marriage certificate before applying for the passport. A passport cannot be applied for unless the correct birth and/or marriage details are uploaded to the passport system.
Any name change must be updated at the Public Registry, and once the updated details are uploaded on the passport system, the application Form A must be filled in and presented with an updated Maltese ID card. The previous passport is also required, if available.
Deed polls are not accepted. You must speak with a Maltese lawyer to file an application with the Maltese court to affect the name change. Once the details are changed on your birth certificate, you can apply for the passport with the updated name.
All documents must bear the same name and surname. This will also avoid difficulties when travelling.
First, your marriage certificate must be registered, and a new ID card must be applied for once the new details are visible on the ID card system. When the new ID Card is collected, a new passport can be applied for.
You will need to register your original apostilled marriage certificate at Malta Public Registry. Once your updated surname is visible on our system, you may apply for the passport.
Both original apostilled marriage certificates and the divorce contract must be registered at Public Registry, so your surname reflects accordingly. Once your updated surname is visible on our system, you may apply for the passport.
Anyone residing in Malta must apply for a national ID Card before submitting the passport application. The original valid ID Card must be presented upon application. Persons who do not reside in Malta and therefore do not hold a national ID card may apply for a passport without it. In such cases, it may be replaced by one passport photo, endorsed and signed on the back by the same recommender who completes Section 7 of Passport Application Form A.
If you are not in possession of 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 fill in and sign on section 7 of the Form A.
First the Maltese nationality must be confirmed by the citizenship office in Valletta, more information on this matter can be obtained from citizenship@komunita.gov.mt. Once this is confirmed, any foreign birth/marriage/divorce certificates must be registered at Malta Public Registry and once the details are uploaded on our database, the passport can be applied for.
Yes, the Dual Nationality Letter is a confirmation that you acquired the Maltese nationality by descent from Maltese ancestors. This letter, or a copy of it, should always be provided when applying for or renewing a passport.
Since you are renewing your passport, a copy of the citizenship certificate should suffice. The original is only required for first-time applicants.
Please contact the citizenship office on citizenship@komunita.gov.mt for further assistance. If you are confirmed a Maltese citizen, please register your original apostilled birth and/or marriage certificate at Malta Public Registry and afterwards apply for the passport. You can perform the citizenship process, the birth registration and passport through your nearest Maltese embassy.
Please contact the citizenship office on citizenship@komunita.gov.mt for further assistance. Once your children are confirmed Maltese citizens, you may register their original apostilled birth certificate and afterwards apply for their passport.
Persons born abroad may confirm their Maltese citizenship by contacting Aġenzija Komunità Malta in Valletta. Persons who reside abroad may contact their nearest Maltese embassy for information and documentation needed to perform this procedure without travelling to Malta.
Yes, it is lawful for a person to have more than one nationality.
Please contact the Citizenship Office at citizenship@komunita.gov.mt for further assistance.
The Maltese citizenship can be acquired by birth from one or both Maltese parents, by descent from Maltese ancestors, by naturalisation or by registration. If both parents are not Maltese citizens, an application must be filed with the citizenship office in Valletta if the customer falls under one of the above criteria.
If the original valid ID Card is presented, bearing the current address of the customer, a passport application can still be submitted. There is no address printed on the passport data page.
Yes, the application may be made through a Maltese embassy.
Kindly liaise with the Maltese embassy to inform us about your intention. They will make a note along with your passport application that you will be collecting your passport from our office in Malta.
Please note that, before your passport application can be processed, the citizenship office must confirm your Maltese nationality status and after this, your original apostilled birth and/or marriage certificates must be registered at Malta Public Registry. Once your details are uploaded on our database, they will send your passport application to Malta for processing. It is best to contact the embassy for further updates.
If you are renewing your passport, please inform the embassy that you require an urgent passport. The embassy will also inform you when your passport should be ready. The urgency fee is applicable.
A diplomatic passport may only be applied for once the applicant receives signed confirmation from the Permanent Secretary of MFT, together with the voucher issued by the same ministry.
A passport may still be applied for once the applicant files an application with the Maltese court and presents the decree upon application. The decree must be stamped and signed as a true copy by the Deputy Registrar at the court.
Unless authorised by the Malta court, both parents must give their consent for the minor’s passport and provide both parents’ original, valid ID cards or passports upon application.
Care and custody, even if exclusive, are not sufficient for one parent to sign the passport application alone. A clause should be included in the court application/contract stating that the mother or father can sign alone 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 enjoy refugee status or subsidiary protection in Malta are issued with a travel document. Stateless persons cannot be issued with a Travel Document; they can only be in possession of their national passport.
Every time a passport is renewed, new live biometrics (photo, signature + fingerprints) are taken at our office in Malta or at a Maltese embassy. Therefore, every person over the age of six must be present at our office.
Please send this request by email on passports.identita@gov.mt and one of the passport officials will send you the documentation required.
All passports issued from 2008 onwards are chip-encoded; the shape of a chip is printed in gold on the front cover of each Maltese passport.
A chip encoded passport is also known as an e-passport or biometric passport. It is a traditional paper passport with a small, embedded contactless integrated circuit (microchip) that securely stores the holder’s personal and biometric data.
You may speak to the customer care officers, who will in turn refer your complaint to their superiors.
No, the passport office issues only Maltese passports for humans.
Yes, our office is pet friendly.
Yes, there is a ground-floor entrance from Triq il-Karristi, Marsa.
Regretfully we cannot offer any specific day or time where you can find ample parking.
Buses such as the 74, 81, 82, 85, 119, 120, 204, and X4 are good options for getting near Onda Building, Marsa, depending on your starting location.
Please bring the passport to our offices at Onda Building, Marsa, and it will be cancelled.
Yes, cabin crew members may apply for a new passport and retain their current one in the meantime. An original crew card document must be presented upon applying.