Australian Citizenship by Descent

Australian Citizenship by Descent

Visit the website of the Department of Home Affairs to apply. Online is the preferred and faster way for lodgement and processing, but you can submit a paper application form. The form is available on their website. 

                                                                                                           APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP

Supporting documents to attach to your application

Child/applicant

• German birth certificate: international version otherwise an official certified English translation must be provided. All German certificates can be issued as an international version by the register office (Standesamt).
  • If your child was not born in Germany, you can find a list of certified translators in Germany here: www.bdue.de
• A passport or other travel document that shows a photograph and current name of the child, if available.
• Completed Identity declaration – Form 1195 (or Part E on the paper application form).
• Evidence of link between birth name and current name, if applicable.
• Evidence of other citizenships held by the applicant, if applicable, such as a passport or other travel document.
• Passport-sized photograph

Parent

• Evidence of parent’s Australian citizenship. Examples below of documents that show one of the applicant’s parents was an Australian citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth, but there may be other documents. Contact the Department of Home Affairs if you don’t have one of the following:
  • Full Australian birth certificate if the parent was born before 20 August 1986, OR
  • Australian citizenship or naturalisation certificate, OR
  • Australian passport issued after 1 July 2005
• Evidence of other citizenships held by the Australian parent, if applicable, such as a letter or certificate showing the date of the acquisition of the citizenship. If the Australian parent acquired another citizenship by descent at birth, provide a full birth certificate giving details of both parents. If the Australian parent acquired another citizenship by naturalisation, provide a citizenship certificate or letter from the relevant authority detailing where, on what date and by what means the other citizenship was acquired.
• Proof of ID: passport or driver’s licence (the ID must show your full name, signature and photograph)
• Proof of address: Utility bill, bank statement or Meldebescheinigung
• Any custody or guardianship orders if applicable