In Ireland, individuals must be at least 18 years old in order to buy or drink alcohol. Those below 18 are allowed to enter a bar with the company of a parent or legal guardian. According to the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 2010, obtaining a Garda age card helps to identify whether you have reached the legal drinking age. In this passage, we are going to talk about what the card is, its requirements, and how to apply for it.
What is Garda Age Card
It is a proof of age issued to Irish residents who are aged 18 and above. It carries basic personal information, including full name, date of birth (DOB), and the holder’s photo. It is only used to prove that the cardholder is eligible to consume alcohol in Ireland and cannot used as an identification document. To prevent consumers from cheating liquor suppliers with fake cards, the real ones are featured with many security features, such as hidden card number, DOB and name visible in UV light, embossed characters, etc.
image resource: VFI Pubs
How to Apply for Garda Age Card
The Garda age card application is done online and here is a step-to-step instruction.
Submit Application Online
Go to official website and click on the “Apply Now” button on the top menu. Check the “Agree” after reading the notice and click on the “Continue” button. Then fill in all required fields with asterisk (*), such as name, DOB, Eircode, address, email, Garda status, and payment method. Please note that the address you provide is used to receive the application form and it must be within Ireland.
Finally, pay €10 for the card with voucher or credit/debit card. The voucher could be bought at the post office. The form and voucher will expire in 90 days, please complete the application and payment as soon as possible.
Wait for the Printed Application Form
The authority will print out the application form according to the information you entered and send it to you, which will take 3 business days to arrive.
Attend an Authentication
After receiving the form, take it to a local Garda Station along with other supporting documents which include two IDs and a passport-style photo. One of the identity documents should be a birth certificate, Irish Residence Permit Card, or a valid passport. You will sign the form and attach the photo to it in the presence of an officer.
Send the Application to the Issuing Body
When the officer review and confirm your documentation, he/she will send your form to make your card.
Wait for the New Card
Your Garda age card will be printed and mailed to the address you provide in 10 business days upon authentication.
Take Garda Age Card Photo at Home
As we stated before, a biometric photo is required and it must satisfy official photo guidelines. Nowadays, smartphones are so advanced that they can take high-quality photos. Moreover, taking an age card photo at home is more convenient than going to a photo store or photo booth.
Requirements for Garda Age Card Photo
First of all, it is necessary to learn about official photo requirements.
● Background
The applicant should take the photo in front of a white or light-colored backdrop and make sure the background is smooth and clear of stains or distracted items.
● Age card photo size
It should be 35mm (width) x 45mm (height). The measurement from the chin to the top of head should be 34.5mm. The blank space over the head should be 3mm high. To ensure the printed photo is sharp and clear, the resolution is supposed to be 600 dpi.
● Subject
Only the applicant appears in the picture and shows the head and upper shoulder. The whole face must be fully visible. Don’t leave shadows on the face or a red-eye effect.
● Facial expression
Keep a natural and neutral expression with eyes open and mouth closed. It is unacceptable to smile, laugh, grin, frown, pout, raise eyebrows or make faces.
● Pose
Keep the head in the center. Don’t tilt your head. It is advised to raise the camera to eye level and look straight at the camera, which helps to avoid high- or low-angle shots. It is acceptable to sit or stand erect. Just let your arms hang naturally instead of shrugging your shoulders.
● Glasses
Eyeglasses are not prohibited as long as they don’t obscure your eye, cast shadows on the face or reflect eyes. That is to say, tinted lenses and sunglasses are not permitted.
● Accessories
Don’t wear any shiny or exaggerated jewelry because it might look reflective or cover your facial features. Remove headphones, hats, and wireless earphones while taking a photo.
● Attire
Casual dressing is recommended and it should contrast with the white background. Uniforms are not acceptable. Don’t wear head coverings unless for religious reasons.
● Photo alteration
It is allowed to crop the photo, but don’t retouch it or add any special effects with Photoshop or other photo editing software. Make sure it presents your current look.
Garda Age Card Photo Tool
Now that you have got acquainted with age card photo specifications, are you ready to DIY? To guarantee that your picture is 100% compliant, here is a powerful ID photo editor, AiPassportPhotos.
Supported by built-in AI technology, it will scan the photo and decide whether it is qualified or not. If yes, it will resize the photo and replace the unqualified background. All these are done automatically once the photo is imported. Here is how to use AiPassportPhotos.
● Go to AiPassportPhotos and select “garda age card photo“.
● Click on the “Upload a photo” and choose to upload an existing photo or take a new picture.
● Wait for a few seconds and preview the results.
● If you are satisfied with it, click on “Get the photo now” to download a printable template. Printing photos in a physical store is much cheaper and more time-saving than purchasing their full service. Moreover, if you want to DIY photos for passports, visas, driving licenses, etc., AiPassportPhotos will also satisfy your needs.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to get my Garda age card?
A: It takes at least 13 working days, including 3 working days to receive your printed application form after online submission it online and another 10 working days to send you the card after the form is submitted at the local Garda Station.
Q: Can I provide another two forms of ID if I can’t provide a birth certificate, Irish residence permit card or a passport?
A: No. One of these 3 proofs is mandatory, otherwise, you can’t apply for the Card.
Q: What if my age card is lost or stolen?
A: Report to the police first, and then replace it within 3 months. The replacement process is the same as the first-time applications.
Q: Do I need to pay again for replacement?
A: Yes, and it also costs €10.
Q: Will my card expire?
A: No. There is no expiry date on your card, but the old-style age card is not acceptable in many establishments and doesn’t have security features. Try to get a new one if possible.
Q: Will my application form expire if I don’t bring it to be authenticated?
A: Yes, it will be invalid after 3 months and the fees will not be returned. You have to pay again to file a new application.
Summary
As we stated before, a Garda age card is necessary to prove that one has reached the legal age to buy and drink alcohol. Only those who are at least 18 years old and have a birth certificate, Irish Residence Permit Card or a valid passport are eligible to apply for it. The application is quite simple, including filling out the application form online and asking for authentication in a Garda Station. To ensure everything goes smoothly, we hope our photo instructions will also help you.
Erin Lo