Application process by adoption

The following steps are a guide to the application process for Australian citizenship under the full Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

Click on Step 1 below to begin.

Step 1. Determine that you are eligible

You may be eligible to be registered as an Australian citizen by adoption if:

• you were adopted by an Australian citizen under the full Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption
• an adoption compliance certificate has been issued
• the adoption is recognised and effective for the laws of the Commonwealth and each state and territory, and
• there is no need for your adoptive parent to seek further legal recognition of your adoption in Australia.

All applicants aged 18 years and over must be of good character.

Children

Applications for children under 16 years of age must be made by an adoptive parent.

Step 2. Gather your original documents

Use this checklist as a guide to the original documents usually required.

Step 3. Copy and certify your documents

Have your documents copied and certified and your identity declaration and photograph signed.

You must copy your original documents and have them certified by an Australian citizen from the designated list of occupations.

Applicants outside Australia

If you are overseas when applying, you can have your original documents certified by a citizen of your country of residence who is employed in one of the designated list of occupations.

Step 4. Complete and lodge your application

Complete and lodge your application together with your certified documents, photograph and fee.

Once you have had your documents copied and certified you will need to complete all parts of the application form.

There is a checklist to help you understand how to complete the form.

The time it takes to apply for and be approved for Australian citizenship varies. For many applicants it takes between three to six months. Citizenship commences on the date the application is approved. You do not need to attend a citizenship ceremony.