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Frequently Asked Questions – Child Applications
Can my child travel on my passport?
No. A separate passport (and separate passport application) is required for each child.
My child already has a passport - do I need to provide full birth certificate in this case?
Yes. The birth certificate must be submitted along with an official English translation.
Can Embassy Consular staff witness the parent's signature on the Parent's Consent (Section 17)?
Parental consent cannot be witnessed by staff involved in the passport process.
My child's passport photo is out of date - can I apply to have the photo changed?
You can update the passport photo once free of charge only for children under the age of five who have been issued with a passport in the first year of their life. The passport with the new photograph will be valid only until the expiry date of the original passport issued.
Please note that to update a child's photograph you must complete a new passport application and submit it along with original supporting documentation and photographs endorsed and signed by a guarantor.
I live some distance from my nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate. Do I need to apply for my baby's first passport in person?
Generally yes. For children's passports, one or both parents must lodge the passport application and a first passport must be lodged in person.
If one of the child's parents is Chinese should they sign in Chinese characters?
Parents need to sign the passport application form in the same way as their passport. Should the signature in one parent's passport be in Chinese characters then the signature on the form should also be in Chinese characters.
What is the best way to take a new-born's photo for their first passport?
The best way to ensure a baby's passport photo is suitable is to have the photograph taken with the baby lying on the floor. See also photo requirements.
Our baby has just been born. Who can be nominated as the guarantor? Our baby's guarantor has not known our baby for a period of a year, as stated in the passport application. What should we do?
The one year rule does not apply to new-borns. The identifier can write 'since birth', or specify the number of months they have known your baby.
My child's Mother/ Father is currently overseas. How should I go about getting their consent?
If one parent is currently outside the country in which you are lodging the child's passport, then that parent needs to take their passport into their nearest Passport Office in Australia or the nearest Australian Embassy if overseas. The parent must fill out and sign a Parent's Consent for the child. This will then be forwarded along to the lodging office to allow for them to continue to process the child's passport application.
Can I apply for my baby's citizenship and passport at the same time?
No - you must obtain the citizenship certificate before applying for a passport.