Citizenship by Descent
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On this page: Introduction; Applying for Australian citizenship by descent; Where to apply; Applying in person; Applying by mail; Applying online; Further information
Introduction
Australian citizenship by descent may be acquired by a person born outside Australia who is the natural child of an Australian citizen parent.
A person becomes a citizen on the date they are registered as a citizen by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). A certificate of Australian citizenship is issued at the time of registration.
Any person who was born outside Australia on or after 26 January 1949 may make an application to be registered as an Australian citizen by descent if at least one natural parent was an Australian citizen at the time of their birth. Applicants aged 18 years and over must satisfy the Minister that they are of good character.
If the Australian parent acquired Australian citizenship by descent, that parent must have been lawfully present in Australia for a period or periods totalling at least 2 years at some time in their life.
Applying for Australian citizenship by descent
The following checklist is designed to assist you in preparing and submitting your application. See: Checklist for Citizenship by Descent (including application forms)
Please note:
• The standard processing time for applications for Australian citizenship by descent overseas is one month.
• This is a guide only. Further information and/or documents may be requested during the processing of your application to assist our assessment. Please contact us should you have any questions about any of the listed documentary requirements.
• Any document in a language other than English is to be accompanied by an English translation. A translator outside Australia does not need to be accredited but they must endorse the translation with their full name, address, telephone number and details of their qualifications and experience in the language being translated. All supporting documents must be clear and legible.
• We reserve the right to verify any documents lodged with your application with a document issuing authority, a relevant third party, or via document examination techniques. Applications containing false or misleading information are likely to be refused. Please advise us of any changes to the information you have provided as soon as the change happens.
Applying in Person
If you wish to lodge your application for Australian citizenship by descent in person, you should apply at the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in Ulaanbaatar. An AVAC Service Fee applies. Your application will be processed at the Beijing Visa Office.
Applying by Mail
If you are in Mongolia and wish to apply for Australian Citizenship by descent by mail, please send your application and supporting documentation to the Beijing Visa Office at the address listed on the Contact Us page.
Please ensure that you include a receipt for the correct application fee or credit card details. See: Visa Application Charge.
If you send your application for Australian citizenship by descent directly to the Beijing Visa Office, you do not need to pay the AVAC Service Fee.
For applications lodged in Beijing, please also include an additional RMB 20 to cover the EMS return of your documents and/or certificate. For applications lodged in Shanghai and Guangzhou, your documents and/or certificate will be returned by EMS and the receiver will be charged on delivery.
Applying online
If you are in Mongolia and wish to apply for Australian citizenship by descent online, please visit www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/immiaccount.aspx
If you do not already have one, you will need to first create an ImmiAccount.
When completing the online form, please ensure you select the Beijing Visa Office. If you select the incorrect office, your application will be transferred to the correct office and this may delay processing.
Please ensure that you prepare all required supporting documents (see checklist), as well as Form 1195 Identity Declaration before you commence an online application.
If you need to submit further documents during processing of the application, you should do this through your ImmiAccount.
Please ensure that in all cases you submit colour scans of the original documents (not certified or notarised copies) together with English translations at the time of application.
Further Information
If you are intending to lodge an application for Australian citizenship by descent and would like to speak to somebody about your application, please send an email with your name and contact number to the Beijing Visa Office. A client service officer will return your call within one working day.
Beijing: [email protected]
For more information on Australian citizenship, please visit the citizenship website at www.citizenship.gov.au
Page Last Updated 18 September 2014