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HOW TO OBTAIN AN AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT
The procedures for applying for an Australian passport overseas are different from those used in Australia. Please read this information in conjunction with the instructions in the Application for an Australian Passport Overseas (Form PC8). You will find other useful information on Australian Passport Office website at www.passports.gov.au or the Embassy website at www.usa.embassy.gov.au.
HOW TO LODGE YOUR APPLICATION
| TYPE OF APPLICATION | METHOD OF LODGEMENT |
| First child passport | Must lodge in person. One parent or person with parental responsibility for the child must lodge in person. The child is not required to attend the interview. |
| First adult passport | Must lodge in person - this applies even if you previously held a passport as a child. |
| Child renewal | Lodge by mail or in person – if you are renewing a child’s passport that had an original validity of two years or more, you may lodge either by mail or in person at your nearest passport office. |
| Adult renewal | Lodge by mail or in person - If you are renewing a passport that was issued after 20/08/1986 with an original validity of two or more years, you may lodge either by post or in person at your nearest passport office. |
| Replacement of passport issued before 20/08/86 | Must lodge in person. |
| Replacement of lost, stolen or seriously damaged passport | Must lodge in person. |
| Replacement of emergency passport or other limited validity document | Must lodge in person. |
| First passport since resuming citizenship | Must lodge in person. |
PROCESSING TIME
Normal processing time is up to ten working days from the time your application is received, provided that all the required documentation and suitable photographs are submitted with the application. If you have an urgent need to travel sooner than 10 working days, please contact the office where you will be lodging your application to discuss the matter.
RETURN OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
All original documents, including your old (cancelled) passport will be returned at the interview (or with your new passport if lodging via mail). Damaged passports are not returned and will be destroyed by the Passport Office.
PROVING YOUR CITIZENSHIP
All applicants must provide either an Australian Citizenship Certificate or full Australian Birth Certificate (not an extract) to prove Australian citizenship.
If you were born in Australia after 20 August 1986, you must also provide one of the five documents:
1. Your Australian passport issued after 1 January 2000 that was valid for 2 years or more; or
2. One parent’s Australian birth certificate; or
3. One parent’s Australian passport, issued after 20/8/1986, that was valid at the time of the applicant’s birth; or
4. Evidence of one parent’s Australian permanent residence, valid at the time of applicant’s birth; or
5. One parent’s Australian citizenship certificate, valid at the time of the applicant’s birth.
Note: Children born of Australian citizens outside Australia, including in the United States, must acquire Australian citizenship before applying for a passport. You cannot lodge a passport application at the same time as a citizenship application. For further information on becoming an Australian citizen, please contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) toll-free on 1-888-990-8888, or visit the DIAC pages on this website.
IF YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR NAME SINCE BIRTH OR CITIZENSHIP
If you have changed your name since birth or citizenship, you must provide one of the following approved name change documents:
• If you were born in Australia – a revised birth certificate, marriage certificate or name change certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the Australian state where you were born or married. Foreign marriage certificates are not acceptable for name change purposes.
• If you were born overseas – a revised birth certificate or name change certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Australia OR an official name change document issued by the equivalent overseas authority. This includes official marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees or court orders for change of name.
Special note re marriage certificates: If you were born outside Australia and are changing your name due to marriage, please note that we can only accept official certificates issued by the state or country where you were married, not by the marriage celebrant. Please check your certificate carefully to ensure it is not the ceremonial certificate you received on the day of the ceremony. Additionally, marriage certificates can only be used to evidence a change in your surname. If you wish to add/change your given names, you will need to provide separate name change document in addition to your marriage certificate.
CHILD APPLICATIONS – NAME CHANGE FOR PARENTS
Please check your child’s birth certificate carefully to see how both parents’ names are recorded on the certificate. If either parent is currently using a different name to what is recorded on the birth certificate, that parent must provide a name change document to explain the difference – eg. marriage certificate, death certificate, divorce decree or court order.
In the USA, it is common for birth certificates to show only the mother’s maiden name even if the mother was using a married name at the time of the birth. In these cases, the mother must show a marriage certificate to show the link between the mother’s name on the birth certificate and the current name of the person giving consent.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Make sure your photographs meet the criteria set out on page 4 of the Form PC8. Photos must be sharp and of high quality. In particular, make sure your head measures between 32mm and 36mm from crown to chin, and that your mouth is closed with a neutral expression (no smiling). You must be facing square on, and there must be no “red eye” or flash reflection from spectacles, and no shadowing on the face or behind the head. DO NOT CROP THE PHOTOS SMALLER THAN 2” HIGH X 1.5” WIDE. Your Guarantor (see the notes below) must endorse only one photo, as follows: “This is a true photo of [the applicant’s full name]”, and then sign it below. Do not use paper clips or staples to attach photos to the form as this may make them unusable.
VISAS
Generally, current visas in your old passport will remain valid even though the passport has been cancelled. However, you should check their status with the authority that issued them. For USA visas, contact the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security on 1-800-375-5283. For all other visas, contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the country of issue. You will find contact details at www.state.gov/misc. The Passport Office is unable to assist with any visa matters.