AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT – APPLICATION CHECKLIST

PART ONE: INFORMATION REQUIRED FROM/ABOUT THE APPLICANT                                                                                                  

Check Box 

Form 118: Application for Australian citizenship by descent.
Completed and signed by or on behalf of the applicant by their responsible parent.

Evidence that the Application Charge has been paid (include your receipt with your application).
Information on our current charges can be obtained from our website.
See: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1298i.pdf

One (1) passport sized photograph of the applicant (photograph should not be more than 3 months old).

Please note that this photograph needs to be endorsed (with the words ‘this is a true copy of (applicant name)) by the same person that signed the proof of identity declaration in the application form.
 

The original full birth certificate of the applicant.

Australian citizenship by descent certificates will list the child’s name in this order: first name; middle name; surname. Please provide a statement with your application if you prefer the Australian citizenship certificate to be issued in a different name order.
 

A certified copy of a passport or other identity document of the applicant (if relevant).

If the applicant is aged 17 years or under and the biological parents have separated or divorced:

a. Evidence of access and custody arrangements.

If the applicant is aged 17 years or under and their guardian is not a biological parent:

a. Certified copy of guardianship issued by the local authorities.

If the applicant is aged 16 years or over:

a. A certified copy of their National Identity Card; and

b. An original Curriculum Vitae certified by the local People’s Committee.

If the applicant is aged 18 years of over:

a. An original certificate of No Criminal Record issued by the local Service of Justice.

b. Police clearances from any countries that the applicant has spent three months or more in the last ten years since turning 18 years of age.
 

PART TWO: INFORMATION REQUIRED IF THE BIOLOGICAL MOTHER IS AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN

Evidence of your Australian citizenship, such as:

a. A certified copy of your full Australian birth certificate; or

b. A certified copy of your Australian citizenship certificate; and

c. A certified copy of the bio-data page of your Australian passport

If you have changed your name, you will also need to provide evidence of name change.
 

PART THREE: INFORMATION REQUIRED IF THE BIOLOGICAL FATHER IS AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN

Evidence of your Australian citizenship, such as:

a. A certified copy of your full Australian birth certificate; or

b. A certified copy of your Australian citizenship certificate; and

c. A certified copy of the bio-data page of your Australian passport

If you have changed your name, you will also need to provide evidence of name change.
 

Certified copies of the relevant pages in your Australian passport to demonstrate entry and exit from Vietnam.

If your details are not included on the birth certificate of your child, then please provide:

a. A certified copy of the Decision to Acknowledge Recognition of the Child; and if relevant

b. A certified copy of your Temporary Residence Certificate (Confirmation) for Vietnam.

If you are currently married to the biological mother of the child:

a. A certified copy of the full Marriage Certificate.
 

Other Information

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing

Depending on evidence provided with the application, we may invite you to undergo Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing to establish the biological relationship between you and your child.
Please note that this is not a standard requirement for all applications, so please do not undertake this testing unless we have invited you to do so.

Further information on the requirements for DNA testing can be found on the website of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
 

Australian passports

Once your child has been registered as an Australian citizen by descent, it is preferably that they travel to Australia on an Australia passport. Information on the requirements for obtaining an Australian passport can be found on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.