What documents do you need?
Main contentGenerally, applications for citizenship require:
- Proof of identity documents
- Good character documents
- Supporting documents.
Your application form provides a checklist with further details on the documents required.
Originals or certified copies?
Do not mail original documents to the department. In some circumstances, the department may request you provide your original documents.
In Australia
If you attend a citizenship appointment to lodge your application bring your original documents with you. Your original documents can be copied and certified by an officer of the department.
If you are not required to attend a citizenship appointment or are mailing your application to the department, you will need to send certified copies of your original documents. They must be certified by a person from the designated list of occupations.
Outside Australia
If you are overseas when lodging your application, copies of your documents can be certified by an Australian consular officer or departmental employee. Otherwise, a person from your country of residence who has known you for at least 12 months and who belongs to one of the designated list of occupations can certify copies of your original documents.
Getting documents from overseas
If you have to get your original documents from overseas this can take time. You will not be able to complete your application process without these documents.
Providing translations of original documents not in English
If your documents are not in English, you will need to provide official translations.
In Australia, you must use translators accredited by the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters.
If you are outside Australia when applying, contact the Australian mission in the country which issued the documents for advice on acceptable translators.
You must provide the translation and the original document or certified copy with your application.
Documents for children
Generally, proof of identity and other document requirements for children under the age of 16 years are the same for those of an adult.
For children under 6 years of age
Often children under 6 years of age have difficulty in getting copies of their documents certified and their Proof of identity and declaration form and photograph signed by a person with the appropriate authority.
Further information on proof of identity requirements for children is available.
Documents to assist long-term Australian residents
If you are a British subject who does not have evidence of entry to Australia and you arrived before 1 January 1975, evidence of residence is required, for example employment, taxation and school records. The National Archives of Australia can help with documents pre-1974,
Telephone: 1300 886 881.
About the information you give
The department is authorised to collect, use and disclose personal information and personal identifiers provided under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (the Act) and the Australian Citizenship Regulations 2007 for the following purposes of:
- identification and authentication of person’s identity
- combating identity and document fraud in citizenship matters.
The department may disclose your personal information to other Commonwealth (and in some circumstances, State and Territory) Government agencies where that disclosure is required or authorised by legislation administered by another agency or to verify with the issuing agency, the authenticity of a document you have presented to the department.
Agencies include but are not restricted to:
- Local governments and other organisations that conduct and host citizenship ceremonies
- Australian Electoral Commission for the purpose of administering the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the purpose of administering the Australian Passport Act 2005
- Centrelink for the purpose of administering the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Family Assistance (Administration) Act 1999
- Medicare and Centrelink for the purposes of administering the citizenship test
- Commonwealth, state and territory police and other agencies to help assess character requirements for citizenship
- Local government councillors and Commonwealth, state and territory Members of Parliament for the purpose of formally welcoming new citizens.
Personal identifiers collected under the Act are photographs and signatures. The department and DFAT have signed an arrangement in accordance with the Act that permits disclosure of your personal identifiers for the purposes of administering the Australian Passport Act 2005. When your application for Australian citizenship is approved, your photograph, client number, name, date of birth and gender will be provided to DFAT.
The Act permits disclosure of your personal identifiers in the following circumstances:
- for the purposes of the Act or its regulations, or of the Migration Act 1958 or the Migration Regulations 1994, or
- for the purpose of administering or managing the storage of identifying information, or
- for the purpose of making the identifying information in question available to you, or
- to an agency of the Commonwealth, a state or a territory in order to verify that you are an Australian citizen, or
- under an arrangement entered into with an agency of the Commonwealth, or with a state or territory or an agency of a state or territory, for the exchange of identifying information, or
- when reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the criminal law of the Commonwealth, a state or a territory, or
- when required by an Australian law, or
- for the purpose of a proceeding before a court or tribunal relating to you, or
- for the purpose of an investigation by the Privacy Commissioner or the Ombudsman relating to action taken by the department, or
- if the disclosure takes place with your written consent.
Your personal identifiers can also be disclosed if a person believes on reasonable grounds, that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of you or of any other person.
Privacy Act 1988 and Freedom of Information Act 1982
You have a right to make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner about the handling of your personal information and personal identifiers.
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) gives you the right to access certain information and documents in the possession of the Government of the Commonwealth and its agencies. You have a right under the FOI Act to seek access to information or documents about you. You can request the department to amend records containing your personal information that is incomplete, incorrect, out of date or misleading.
The department’s collection, access, storage, use and disclosure of your personal information and personal identifiers is governed by the Privacy Act 1988 and the 11 Information Privacy Principles. For more detailed information you should read information from: