Broadly, the following documents are required:

  • Original Police Certificates
  • If applying online: Scans of all original documents
  • If lodging a paper application: Certified copies of all documents
  • All documents are to be attached along with the main application as far as possible
  • Only one copy of each document is to be submitted, even if that document is required for different reasons
  • Any additional information that can provide help to decide the application

Identity documents – evidence of Identity from birth till date is required as given below:

  • Birth Certificate
    • This should specifically show Birth name, Date of birth, Gender, and Parents’ names. If the Birth Certificate cannot be provided, a family registration document or any other collection of documents issued prior to arrival in Australia is required, which when read collectively will confirm the Identity from birth to date
  • Photograph and Signature – some suggested documents:
    • Australian Driver’s Licence
    • National Identity Card
    • Relevant Passport pages (having photo, personal details, and passport issue & expiry dates)
    • Proof of Age Card
    • Student Card
    • Aircrew / Seafarer / Military – Identity document
    • UNHCR document
  • Evidence of residential documents is required. This includes:
    • Electricity, Gas, and/or water bills
    • Rental contract with the landlord
    • Bank statements
  • Official evidence of any change in name is required. This could include:
    • An official Marriage or Divorce Certificate
    • Documents showing a change of name from an Australian/Overseas Authority Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
    • Any other official documents showing a connection between names known in the past
  • Evidence of first entry into Australia. This could include:
    • Current / Previous Passport
    • Travel documents, like Visa
    • Proof of Entry, like Passenger list from the National Archives of Australia
  • Evidence of Identity in the Community:
    • A completed Identity Declaration and a passport-sized photograph – both signed by an Authorised Person
    • If applying online: Complete the Form 1195 Identity Declaration. A separate declaration is required for each person included in the application
    • If lodging a paper application: Complete the Identity Declaration in the Citizenship Application Form
  • Identity documents required for each child (below 15 years) included in the application, or applying on their own:
    • Birth Certificate (showing parents’ details)
    • Passport / Travel document
    • Evidence of change of name (if any)
    • Passport-sized photograph –
      • should be less than 6 months old
      • should have a good color quality
      • should have a full-face view of the head and shoulders. If the head is covered for religious reasons, the only show of face is sufficient
      • can wear un-tinted prescription glasses
      • should have a plain light background
    • The Identity Declaration must be signed by an authorized Australian Citizen. The same person must certify the photograph
    • Any orders relating to guardianship, custody or parental responsibility of the child (if applicable)
    • Proof of Adoption – if the child was adopted overseas
  • Good character documents
    • Documents are required to assess the good character of the Applicant
  • Penal Clearance Certificate
    • If a total of 12 months or more have been spent outside Australia since the grant of a Permanent Visa, overseas police certificates from every country (including home country) where a total of more than 90 days have been spent since turning 18 years, is required.
    • A Penal Clearance Certificate may also be required in certain other circumstances.
  • Australian National Police Check
    • If over 16 years, a check is required from the National Police Checking Service.
  • Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme
    • A letter is required from the Child Migrants Trust stating that the child came to Australia without the parents
    • The child should have entered Australia between 22 September 1947 and 31 December 1967
    • The child should have entered Australia under the Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme

If you are planning to initiate the Australian Citizenship process through an authorized MARA-registered Consultant, we can help relieve you from the troublesome paperwork and effort involved. Feel free to contact us at amitava@dmsmigration.com for further details.