Documentation requirements for citizenship by descent
Original documents must be provided.
Certified copies of the documents must also be provided with the application. The people who can certify documents are the same as those that can endorse photographs - see below. The person that certifies the documents does not have to be the same person who endorses the photograph and completes the proof of identity declaration on the application form. The original documents will be returned.
Note: If you are applying overseas and you provide copies of identity documents certified by an Australian consular officer or Australian Diplomatic officer you do not need to provide original documents with your application.
If documents are not in English, an official translation also must be provided. In Australia translations should be done by translators accredited by the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
See: NAATI
The following documents will be required to support an application for Australian citizenship by descent:
an endorsed passport size photograph – for full details on photograph requirements
See: Endorsed photographsa full birth certificate of the applicant or its equivalent, showing details of the applicant’s parents
evidence that at least one parent was an Australian citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth, (such as a full birth certificate or certificate of Australian citizenship)
the Australian citizen parent's full birth certificate, if available
passport held, if any
if the Australian citizen parent is an Australian citizen by descent, evidence of that parent’s 2 years residence in Australia (such as passport showing entry to Australia, school or employment records, any documents issued by an Australian Government agency)
for applicants aged 16 or over, a penal certificate from all countries they have lived in (except Australia) since the age of 16 if the absences totalled 12 months or more. Information about how to obtain penal certificates is available in the form 47P.
See: Form 47P Character requirements - penal clearance certificates (150KB PDF file)- if applicable, official evidence of any name change (such as an official change of name certificate issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths or Marriages (RBDM) or a marriage certificate issued by an Australian RBDM. Overseas marriage certificates are not acceptable evidence of a change of name).
See: Births, Deaths & Marriages Registries