Australian Citizenship Certificate Application Guide in 2026
Do you need to replace or accidentally lost your Australian citizenship certificate? Or are you an Australian citizen under certain conditions and need evidence to prove it? This page provides a detailed overview of the application process for the Australian citizenship certificate, which is essential for proving your identity. As a registered migration agent, we guarantee that all information provided on this page is directly sourced from the Department of Home Affairs.
This is not an application to obtain Australian citizenship. This application is for Australian citizens who require evidence of their status.
Eligibility Criteria
To obtain an Australian citizenship certificate, you must meet one of the following situations:
- Born in Australia between 26 January 1949 and 19 August 1986.
- Born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986, and at least one of your parents was an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986, and you’ve stayed in Australia throughout your first 10 years since your birth.
- You were previously issued an Australian citizenship certificate but lost it.
- You were born in the former Australian Territory of Papua before 26 January 1949 and became an Australian citizen on that date.
- You were born in the former Australian Territory of Papua on or after 26 January 1949 and before 16 September 1975 and didn’t lose your Australian citizenship status before or after 16 September 1975.
- You were adopted in Australia by an Australian citizen on or after 22 November 1984.
- Born in Australia to New Zealand citizen parents and meet the additional criteria.
- Born in Australia before 26 January 1949 and were a British subject on 25 January 1949.
- You were born in New Guinea before 26 January 1949 as a British subject.
- You were born in New Guinea from 26 January 1949 to 15 September 1975.
- You were a British subject born outside of Australia before 26 January 1949 and meet the additional criteria.
Additional criteria if your parents were New Zealanders
- you were born between 24 November 1952 and 19 August 1986, or
- on or after 20 August 1986, and lived in Australia for the first 10 years of your life; or
- between 1 September 1994 and 26 February 2001, and your parent held a permanent visa or a Special Category Visa (SCV) or
- on or after 27 February 2001, and your parent held a permanent visa or
- between 27 February 2001 and 0 June 2022, and your parent:
- was in Australia on 26 February 2001 on an SCV, or
- lived in Australia for at least 12 months on an SCV in the 2 years before 26 February 2001 or
- had a centrelink certificate confirming residency in Australia on a specific date; or
- between 1 January 2022 and 30 June 2023, before your parent was granted a 189 Visa – New Zealand stream, which was granted during that same period, or
- between 1 January 2022 and 30 June 2023, before your parent was granted a subclass 189 visa as a dependent of a family member in the New Zealand stream, with the visa granted in that timeframe; or
- on or after 1 July 2022, and your parent held an SCV.
Additional criteria if you were a British subject born outside of Australia before 26 January 1949:
- You were a British subject on 25 January 1949 and lived in Australia for five years from 26 January 1944 to 25 January 1949; or
- You entered Australia before 1 May 1987, and you father was:
- born in Australia or New Guinea, or
- Naturalised in Australia as a British subject; or
- You are a woman who:
- was a British subject on 25 January 1949,
- was married to someone who became an Australian citizen on 26 January 1949, and
- entered Australia and were granted permanent residence before 26 January 1949; or
- you were born in New Guinea and were a British subject on 25 January 1949.
Australian Citizenship Certificate Application Fees
The application for an Australian citizenship certificate costs AUD 280. This cost is non-refundable.
Fee exemption
An exemption is available if you need to replace an Australian citizenship certificate that has been lost, destroyed, or damaged due to a natural disaster, such as a bushfire, flooding, or storm. You must apply for a new certificate within 18 months after the natural disaster.
You must provide the following documents to support your claim for fee exemption:
- Statutory declaration stating that your Australian citizenship certificate is lost, destroyed or damaged due to a natural disaster
- Proof of the damaged citizenship certificate, if you’re claiming an exemption due to your damaged certificate.
Australian Citizenship Certificate Application Process
You can apply to get an Australian citizenship certificate online through ImmiAccount.
Unless you need to replace your Australian citizenship certificate due to a natural disaster, you must apply by paper using Form 119 – Application for Evidence of Australian Citizenship.
Attaching Documents to Your Australian Citizenship Certificate Application
Here are some essential notes about attaching documents and evidence to your application:
- If the application does not include all of the required documentation, processing may be delayed.
- A completed paper Form 1195 – Identity Declaration and an endorsed photograph must be scanned and uploaded to the application.
- An official translation must accompany any documents not written in English. If you’re in Australia, you must engage a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). If you’re offshore, visit the DHA’s official website for information on suitable translators.
- Combine the official translation and any non-English documents into one file and upload it to the online application.
Processing Time
First, the Department of Home Affairs will inform you of the outcome by writing. If it’s granted, you will receive your Australian citizenship certificate within 1 to 17 days from the date of application.
Frequently Asked Questions
ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your questions about Australian citizenship!
- Can I apply for citizenship from outside Australia?
- You can apply for Australian citizenship when you’re onshore or offshore as long as you’ve met the requirements.
- What documents do I need for a citizenship application in Australia?
- The required documents for a citizenship application in Australia include identity documents, proof of residency in Australia, evidence of your parents’ status (if applying through the descent pathway), Form 118 – Identity Declaration, and other relevant documents.
- Who issues citizenship certificates in Australia?
- The Department of Home Affairs issues the Australian citizenship certificates.
- Does Australia allow dual citizenship?
- Yes, Australia allows dual citizenship. So, if you’re planning on obtaining Australian citizenship, ensure that the law in your home country also allows it.
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Let Us Help You With Your Australian Citizenship Certificate Application
To obtain a new Australian Citizenship Certificate is pricey. Once you feel that you are eligible for this pathway, please engage us to be your migration agent to take care of your application so you will not experience refusal.
ONE derland consulting will take the time and compile all documents needed and guarantee that your application is 100% ready before submitting, ensuring a positive outcome for your application.
Contact us through the form below to take the first step of your journey to Australia.
“Thank you again Mba Indah and team for all your assistance throughout my migration journey—from my student visa to permanent residency and, finally, citizenship. Your expertise, professionalism, and support ensure smooth process. Greatly appreciated and recommended. Thank you!”
Yen L.
Australian Citizenship by Conferral
Indah Melindasari, B.Com
Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448
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