Citizenship by Descent
Australian citizenship for children born overseas.
Overview
If you are an Australian citizen and your child was born outside Australia, your child may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent. This is a registration process — not an application for a grant of citizenship — and the child does not need to live in Australia or pass a citizenship test. I handle the application process, evidence gathering, and lodgement.
Citizenship by descent under section 16 of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 allows children born outside Australia to an Australian citizen parent to be registered as Australian citizens. The key requirement is that at least one parent was an Australian citizen at the time of the child's birth. The parent must be able to prove their own Australian citizenship.
The application must include evidence of the parent's Australian citizenship (such as a citizenship certificate, Australian passport, or birth certificate showing birth in Australia after 20 August 1986), the child's birth certificate, and evidence of the parent-child relationship. If the parents were not married at the time of birth, additional evidence may be required.
Key Facts
How I Work — Step by Step
Parent Citizenship Verification
I verify the Australian citizen parent's citizenship status and gather the required evidence.
Document Collection
I collect the child's birth certificate, parent-child relationship evidence, and any additional documents required.
Application Preparation
I prepare the citizenship by descent application and review all documents for completeness.
Lodgement
I lodge the application with the Department and track its progress.
Certificate & Passport
Once approved, I advise on obtaining the citizenship certificate and Australian passport for the child.
What I Do
- Confirm the parent's Australian citizenship status and gather evidence
- Prepare the citizenship by descent application with all required documents
- Advise on additional evidence requirements for complex family situations
- Lodge the application and manage correspondence with the Department
- Arrange for the child's Australian passport application once citizenship is confirmed
Who Is This For?
- ›Australian citizens whose children were born overseas
- ›Families where one parent is Australian and the child was born in another country
- ›Adults born overseas to Australian citizen parents who never registered their citizenship
Common questions about
Can my child get Australian citizenship if they were born overseas?+
Is there an age limit for citizenship by descent?+
Your Visa Was Refused — What Now?
I wrote a free guide covering the 5 most common refusal reasons, your appeal options, and the deadlines you cannot miss. It is the same advice I give clients in their first meeting.
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The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Thoughts only — not legal advice.