Documentation requirements for citizenship by descent

Documentation for all applications

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.

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 photographs

• a 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)

• Applicants will need to provide penal clearance certificates from overseas countries if, in the last 10 years:
  • they lived or travelled overseas since the age of 18 years or over; and
  • the total time spent overseas added up to 12 months or more; and
  • the time spent in any one country was more than 3 months; or
  • requested to do so by the department.

If the applicant is applying outside Australia, then Australia should be considered an overseas country.

Information about how and where to obtain penal clearance certificates is available.
See: Character and Penal Clearance Requirements

• 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

Additional requirements for applications lodged overseas

The department prefers complete applications for faster processing.

If 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.

You may be required to provide additional documents to those listed above. You should contact your nearest Australian overseas post or see their website for more information before lodging your application.
See: Immigration Offices Outside Australia