Citizenship for children adopted in Australia
If I adopt a child born overseas in Australia, will the child become an Australian citizen?
A child born overseas will automatically become an Australian citizen if:
- the child is adopted in Australia under Australian law
- at the time of the adoption the child holds a permanent visa
- at least one of the adoptive parents is an Australian citizen.
If I adopt a child overseas, will the child become an Australian citizen?
If the adoption process is completed in Australia through an Australian State or Territory Government process, the child will automatically acquire Australian citizenship if at least one of the adoptive parents is an Australian citizen and the child is in Australia as a permanent resident.
Children adopted overseas through other processes do not become Australian citizens automatically.
See:
Children adopted overseas
Fact Sheet 36 Adopting children from overseas