Does a newborn need a passport / travel to Ireland

[Dahliasings91]

Due to pop imminently and have a short flight booked to Cork in August with DH & LO.

Ive been keeping an eye on the availability for birth registration for my local council and as of today there isn’t anything available until mid July. If baby comes in a week or two this is likely to push it to start of August. We need the birth certificate before we do the passport app.

1. does a tiny baby need their own passport to travel from the UK to cork?
2. if not, is there a way I can secure a date to book a slot to register baby before they’re born (ie put a tentative date down on the system) so I can easily get a slot and enough time to sort passport?

I don't think anyone with British citizenship needs a passport to travel to Ireland. Obviously a passport makes things easier as it is a trusted form of ID.

Maybe take the baby's birth certificate with you.

Yes most airlines require a photo ID from UK to Ireland.
Who are you flying with?

Check with the airline. I think you’d get away with it on the ferry.

Aer lingus allow travel between Ireland and the UK with a birth cert but Ryan air insist on a passport

I would just contact the Register office when baby is born and explain the situation. They will probably be able to get you a sooner appointment

Check with your airline that they don't have a minimum age for babies. For example, it's 8 days on Ryanair (https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-rs/articles/12891532701457-What-are-the-rules-for-travelling-with-infants-0-2).

Technically no however most airlines and ferries you do need a passport or they won't let you thru