Finnish passport renewal in the United States: application, fees and photo requirements

Finnish citizens living in the United States can renew a passport in person at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C., or at a Finnish Consulate General in New York, Los Angeles or Houston. An appointment is required, and the application cannot be submitted at a Finnish honorary consulate.

One detail deserves special attention before the appointment: the printed Finnish passport photo measures 36 × 47 mm. A standard U.S. passport photo measures 2 × 2 inches, or approximately 51 × 51 mm, so it is not the correct format for a Finnish passport application.

This guide explains where to apply, how to book an appointment, what documents to bring, how much the service costs, how long delivery normally takes, and how to prepare a compliant Finnish passport photo in the United States.

In this guide

• Where to renew a Finnish passport in the United States
• How to renew a Finnish passport in the U.S.
• Finnish passport renewal fees in the United States
• How long Finnish passport renewal takes in the U.S.
• Finnish passport photo requirements
• Finnish passport validity
• Finnish passport renewal checklist
• Frequently asked questions

Where to renew a Finnish passport in the United States

Passport applications are accepted by appointment at four Finnish missions:

• Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C.
• Consulate General of Finland in New York
• Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles
• Consulate General of Finland in Houston

Finnish honorary consulates in the United States and the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations do not accept passport applications. Some mobile passport-service visits are arranged outside the four permanent locations, but dates and locations vary and appointments can fill quickly.

Choose the mission responsible for the state or territory where you live. The current jurisdictions are:

Check the official jurisdiction list before booking, especially if you have recently moved or plan to use a mobile passport service.

How to renew a Finnish passport in the U.S.

Renewing a Finnish passport abroad is a new passport application, not an extension of the existing document. Follow these six steps.

1. Check your information in the Finnish Population Information System

The passport application can be processed only when your personal information is correct in Finland's Population Information System. Before booking travel to a mission, check that the following details are current:

• Full name
• Date and place of birth
• Finnish citizenship
• Permanent address, including a U.S. address where relevant
• U.S. citizenship, if you are a Finnish-U.S. dual citizen

If information is missing or incorrect, arrange an update through the Digital and Population Data Services Agency before the passport appointment.

Dual Finnish-U.S. citizens should pay particular attention to how their U.S. citizenship is recorded. If you acquired U.S. citizenship after June 1, 2003, and it has not been entered in the Finnish register, prepare your U.S. naturalization certificate and valid U.S. passport. If you obtained U.S. citizenship at birth and it is not registered, prepare your U.S. birth certificate and U.S. passport. The mission may require an apostille or the original civil document, depending on how the evidence is presented.

2. Book a passport appointment

Every applicant must have an appointment. Use Finland's official booking service, select the United States as the country of submission, choose the correct mission, and select the passport or passport and identity card service.

Current appointment links, mission hours and notices about mobile passport-service visits are published on the official Finnish passport application page.

Book before making firm travel plans. An available appointment may be several weeks away, and the normal passport production estimate begins only after the in-person application has been accepted. Also allow time for the document to be mailed if you will not collect it at the mission.

3. Get a Finnish passport photo

For an in-person application at a Finnish mission in the United States, bring one recent printed passport photo. The U.S. mission instructions state that an electronic photo is not accepted for this application route.

The Finnish format is 36 × 47 mm, not the standard U.S. 2 × 2-inch format. Review the complete size, composition and printing instructions in the dedicated photo section below before taking or ordering the picture.

4. Prepare the required documents

Bring original documents unless the mission's instructions specifically permit a copy. The standard checklist includes:

• Your previous Finnish passport or Finnish identity card. This is the main document used to verify your identity.
• Another valid government-issued photo ID if the Finnish document has expired. Examples include a valid U.S. passport or U.S. driver's license.
• One printed Finnish passport photo. It must measure 36 × 47 mm and be no more than six months old.
• Proof of lawful status in the United States, where applicable. A Finnish citizen may need to show a U.S. visa, Permanent Resident Card, or other evidence of U.S. immigration status.
• Dual-citizenship evidence, if the U.S. citizenship is not registered in Finland. Depending on the circumstances, bring the original naturalization certificate or U.S. birth certificate together with a valid U.S. passport.
• Military or civilian-service documents, where applicable. The current attachment guidance asks men aged 23 to 30 to bring a military passport, civilian serviceman certificate or certificate of call-up. If the document is unavailable, the issuing authority may verify the status directly.
• A local police report if the previous passport was lost or stolen. Report the loss or theft to the U.S. police before the appointment and bring the report.
• Documents for a minor. Both parents or guardians must consent. Bring their passports or identity cards, or written consent and a copy of the absent guardian's valid ID if one guardian cannot attend.
• A debit or credit card for the fee. Confirm the accepted payment method with the selected mission, particularly Houston, before the appointment.
• A secure, prepaid and self-addressed return envelope if you want the new passport mailed to a U.S. address. Keep the tracking number because the mission does not track the shipment for you or accept responsibility for the carrier.

The mission can request additional evidence when identity, citizenship, guardianship or personal data cannot be confirmed from the available records. Check the appointment confirmation carefully, as it may contain instructions specific to your case or location.

5. Attend the appointment

The applicant must appear in person, including a child for whom a passport is being requested. At the appointment, the consular officer will:

• Verify your identity and supporting documents
• Check the information that will appear in the passport
• Review the passport photo
• Collect your signature and fingerprints when required
• Confirm the delivery or collection method
• Collect the application fee

Check names, dates and other personal details before signing the application. The passport processing fee is non-refundable once the application is submitted.

6. Receive your new Finnish passport

Finnish passports applied for in the United States are produced in Finland and sent to the mission. You can normally:

• Collect the passport from the mission where you applied
• Authorize another person to collect it with the required authorization
• Request delivery to a U.S. address using the secure prepaid envelope brought to the appointment

Standard delivery in the United States is normally estimated at 2 to 3 weeks after the application. A fast-track passport is generally delivered only 2 to 3 days sooner than an ordinary passport, not within 2 to 3 days overall.

Treat these periods as estimates. Appointment availability, additional document requests, production in Finland, public holidays and mailing can all increase the total time. Do not schedule international travel around the earliest possible delivery date.

Finnish passport renewal fees in the United States

The Finnish missions collect passport fees in U.S. dollars when the application is submitted. Current 2026 fees are:

Service	USD fee
Ordinary passport	$275
Fast-track passport	$295
Emergency passport	$295
Temporary passport	$315

These are consular service fees, not estimates. Check the official Finnish mission fee schedule shortly before your appointment because U.S. dollar amounts can be updated.

Fees can change when the applicable Finnish regulation or the mission's euro-to-dollar conversion is updated. Use the amount shown for the month of your appointment rather than relying on an older receipt or screenshot.

Plan to pay by debit or credit card at the appointment. The current fee schedule explicitly states that New York, Washington and Los Angeles accept debit or credit cards only. It does not separately list a payment method for Houston, so Houston applicants should check their appointment confirmation or ask the Consulate General before attending. Cash and personal checks should not be assumed to be acceptable.

An ordinary passport uses the standard production and delivery schedule. A fast-track passport enters an expedited process when that service is available, but in the United States it is generally delivered only 2 to 3 days sooner than an ordinary passport. The higher fee therefore does not turn the overseas application into same-day or next-day service.

A higher fee does not automatically make every urgent document available. Emergency and temporary passports are issued only when the legal and practical conditions for that document are met. A temporary passport may also be refused by a destination or transit country, so confirm that it will be accepted before relying on it for travel.

How long Finnish passport renewal takes in the U.S.

An ordinary Finnish passport applied for at a U.S. mission generally takes 2 to 3 weeks after a complete application has been submitted. A fast-track passport is usually only a few days faster, with the U.S. mission estimating a 2-to-3-day reduction compared with ordinary delivery.

For most applicants, the useful planning estimate is:

1. Appointment waiting time: varies by mission and season
2. Ordinary passport production and delivery to the mission: normally 2 to 3 weeks
3. Mailing to your address: additional carrier time, if you choose delivery instead of collection

The total process can take longer because of:

• Limited appointment availability
• Missing or incomplete documents
• Outdated information in the Finnish Population Information System
• A passport photo that does not meet the requirements
• Additional identity, citizenship or guardianship checks
• Production in Finland and shipment to the United States
• Delivery from the mission to your U.S. address

Start well before the current passport expires, especially before summer and holiday travel. If a trip is already booked, tell the mission when making the appointment, but do not assume that a fast-track, emergency or temporary passport will be available in your circumstances.

Finnish passport photo requirements

For an in-person Finnish passport application in the United States, bring one recent printed photo in the Finnish format. A digital photo file or photo retrieval code does not replace the print required by the U.S. mission route.

Finnish passport photo size

The required printed Finnish passport photo measurements are:

• Photo size: 36 mm wide by 47 mm high
• Face length: 32 to 36 mm from the crown of the head to the chin, excluding hair and beard
• Space above the head: 4 to 6 mm above the crown
• Space below the chin: 7 to 9 mm

A standard U.S. passport photo is not interchangeable with a Finnish one. The American format is square at 2 × 2 inches, or approximately 51 × 51 mm. The Finnish photo is a narrower 36 × 47 mm rectangle with different head-positioning measurements.

If you use a U.S. photo counter, do not request only a generic "passport photo," since the operator may automatically create the American format. Ask for a Finnish 36 × 47 mm photo or bring a correctly prepared printable template.

Finnish passport photo rules

Use the following checklist when taking and printing the photo:

• The photo must have been taken within the previous six months.
• Bring a color print for the U.S. mission application. Current Finland Abroad guidance says black-and-white is still accepted, but color is preferred.
• Face the camera directly with your head upright and centered.
• Keep a neutral expression, close your mouth, and keep both eyes open and clearly visible.
• Use even, natural-colored lighting across the whole face.
• Avoid shadows on the face or background, glare, overexposed areas and red-eye.
• Use a plain, flat, light and neutral background. Light gray is recommended.
• Make sure no other person, object, toy, chair back or supporting hand is visible. This also applies to a baby's photo.
• Use a sharp, in-focus image without graininess or lens distortion.
• Do not use filters, digital makeup or excessive retouching.
• Do not alter facial features, skin texture, scars or other identifying details.

The same positioning requirements apply to adults and children. A very young baby's mouth may be slightly open, but the eyes must still be open. The Finnish Police passport photograph instructions contain the full technical standard.

Can I wear glasses in a Finnish passport photo?

Yes, ordinary clear glasses are allowed when the eyes remain completely visible. There must be no reflections, glare or shadows, and the frames must not cover any part of the eyes. Thick frames that make the facial structure difficult to see can also cause a problem.

Tinted glasses and an eye patch are allowed only for a medical reason. Removing ordinary glasses is usually the simplest way to avoid reflections or obstruction.

Can I wear a head covering in a Finnish passport photo?

A head covering may be worn for religious, established traditional, health or medical reasons. It must not obscure any part of the face or cast shadows over it. The full facial outline and both eyes must remain clearly visible.

Get your Finnish passport photo online

You can prepare the required Finnish passport photo with Visafoto without visiting a photography studio. Use a phone or digital camera, but ask another person to take the picture from a comfortable distance instead of holding the camera close to your face. This helps prevent the wide-angle distortion common in arm's-length selfies.

1. Take a clear photo while looking directly at the camera. Use soft daylight, keep your face fully visible, and leave space around your head and shoulders. The original background does not need to be perfect because Visafoto can replace it with the required light, uniform background.
2. Upload the image to Visafoto and select Finland passport 36 × 47 mm.
3. Visafoto automatically sets the correct dimensions, head size, position and crop. It also adjusts the background and improves lighting, contrast and resolution without changing your identifying facial features.
4. Download the printable template, print it at its original scale on good-quality photo paper, and cut out one 36 × 47 mm photo for the appointment.

Example of the photo you can upload

You'll receive both a digital version perfect for online submissions and a print-ready version:

Visafoto reports a 99.7% acceptance rate for the document photos it prepares. Support is available 24/7, and if an authority rejects a photo prepared by the service, Visafoto offers a refund. For more examples and preparation advice, read our Finnish passport and ID photo guide.

Finnish passport photo for an online application

Electronic-photo requirements apply to the separate Finnish Police online application route, not to an in-person application at a Finnish mission in the United States. A digital Finnish passport photo must meet these technical specifications:

• Exactly 500 × 653 pixels
• JPEG format, with a .jpg or .jpeg file extension
• No JPEG2000 files
• Maximum file size of 250 KB

Visafoto can also prepare this digital format when it is needed for the Finnish Police route. Applying online from abroad requires strong electronic identification. If an identification visit is required, it must take place at a police service point in Finland, and the passport is collected through the Police collection network in Finland. Do not bring only the digital file to a U.S. mission appointment; that route requires a printed photo.

What to do if your Finnish passport photo is rejected

A mission may request a replacement if the photo has the wrong dimensions, poor positioning, shadows, an unsuitable background, low image quality or prohibited alterations. The application cannot proceed with a non-compliant photo, so replacing it can delay production and delivery.

Check the size, head measurements, print scale, background and image quality before the appointment. Visafoto's format preparation and photo-quality checks help identify common crop, background and lighting problems in advance. If the mission asks for a replacement of a photo prepared by Visafoto, contact the 24/7 support team for assistance; the service also offers a refund when an authority rejects its prepared photo.

Finnish passport validity

An ordinary Finnish passport is valid for a maximum of five years. You do not receive a new five-year period by extending the old passport; renewal means applying for a newly issued document.

A shorter validity period can apply in special circumstances. For example, unresolved military-service obligations can limit the passport issued to some applicants, while temporary and emergency travel documents are issued only for the period justified by the case. The officer handling the application determines the document type and validity.

Finnish passport renewal checklist

Before leaving for the mission, check that you have everything relevant to your application:

• ☐ Appointment confirmation
• ☐ Previous Finnish passport or Finnish identity card
• ☐ Additional valid government-issued photo ID, if required
• ☐ Proof of U.S. immigration status or U.S. citizenship, where applicable
• ☐ One recent printed Finnish-format passport photo, 36 × 47 mm
• ☐ Debit or credit card, using the payment method confirmed by the mission
• ☐ Secure prepaid and self-addressed return envelope, if requesting delivery
• ☐ Military or civilian-service documents, if applicable
• ☐ U.S. police report for a lost or stolen passport, if applicable
• ☐ Guardian consent and identity documents for a minor, if applicable

Frequently asked questions

Can I renew my Finnish passport if I live outside my assigned consular district?

The Finnish missions publish a state-by-state jurisdiction list and applicants should normally use the mission responsible for their place of residence. If another mission is substantially more practical, contact it before booking. Do not assume that an available appointment outside your district means the mission will accept the application.

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What if my Finnish passport is expired but I do not have a Finnish ID card?

Bring the expired Finnish passport and another valid government-issued photo ID. The U.S. instructions give a valid U.S. passport or U.S. driver's license as examples. The mission may request additional evidence if your identity or Finnish citizenship cannot be confirmed from its records.

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Do I need to bring my old Finnish passport if it has expired?

Yes. Bring the old Finnish passport even if it is no longer valid. If you have a Finnish identity card, bring that as well. Because an expired Finnish document is not sufficient as current identification, also bring a valid official photo ID.

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Can someone else collect my Finnish passport from the Finnish mission?

Yes. You or a person authorized by you can collect the passport from the mission where the application was submitted. Ask the mission what authorization and identification the collector must present. You can also ask for delivery to another Finnish foreign mission.

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Can I apply for a Finnish passport while my current passport is still valid?

Yes. You do not need to wait for the current passport to expire. Applying early is sensible when appointment availability, production and mailing must all be included in your schedule. Remember that the old passport expires automatically once the new passport is issued.

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What happens to my old Finnish passport when I receive a new one?

The old passport becomes invalid automatically when the new passport is issued, even if its printed expiry date has not passed. Follow the cancellation or destruction instructions supplied with the new document. An invalid passport must not be used for travel.

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Can I travel while my Finnish passport renewal is being processed?

A current passport can generally be used until the new one is issued, unless it has expired, is damaged, contains outdated personal information, or has been cancelled for another reason. Confirm at the appointment whether the mission will return or retain the old document. Once the new passport is issued, the previous passport is no longer valid, so avoid travel plans that depend on using it close to the expected issue date.

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What should I do if my Finnish passport was lost or stolen in the United States?

Report the loss or theft to the local U.S. police and obtain a police report. Contact the Finnish mission responsible for your area, book the appropriate appointment, and bring the report and any other available identification. A passport reported lost or stolen is cancelled and cannot be used again if it is later found.

Last updated: 18 September 2026