How to Get or Replace an Australian Citizenship Certificate
Apply through ImmiAccount for evidence of Australian citizenship or replace a citizenship certificate that has been lost, destroyed or damaged.
AU Australia
Documents & Identity ~ 12 min read
10 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-14
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If you are already an Australian citizen and need official evidence of your citizenship, or your existing citizenship certificate has been lost, destroyed or damaged, apply for evidence of Australian citizenship through ImmiAccount. The standard application fee is AUD290 for applications made from 1 July 2026. You need identity evidence, Form 1195 Identity Declaration with the required photograph, and documents showing how you acquired citizenship. If replacing a certificate and you still have the damaged or previous document, provide it as required. Current Home Affairs processing data shows 90% of evidence-of-citizenship applications are decided within 16 days, followed by certificate printing and registered postage.
What you need
- You must already be an Australian citizen and meet an eligible evidence-of-citizenship situation.
- Apply separately for each person. A child cannot be included in another person's evidence application.
- For a child under 16, the application must be made by a responsible parent.
- Provide three identity documents that together show your birth name, date of birth and gender, photograph, signature and current residential address.
- Provide a completed Form 1195 Identity Declaration with the required photograph and authorised declarant.
- Provide official evidence linking any changes of name.
- Provide supporting evidence showing how you acquired Australian citizenship, where required for your circumstances.
- If you were previously issued citizenship evidence and still have it, provide that certificate or extract as required.
- Upload English translations with all documents that are not in English.
- Pay the AUD290 application fee unless a specific fee exemption applies.
Eligibility
You can apply for evidence of Australian citizenship if you are already an Australian citizen and need an official certificate proving that status, including where a previous certificate has been lost, destroyed or damaged. Home Affairs lists several ways a person may qualify, including citizenship acquired by birth or operation of law, previous issue of a citizenship certificate or extract, citizenship by descent, and certain historical citizenship circumstances. This application does not make you an Australian citizen; it provides evidence of citizenship you already hold. If you are applying to become a citizen, use the relevant citizenship application instead. A person of any age can receive evidence of citizenship, but a responsible parent must make the application for a child under 16.
How to do it
- Confirm that you need evidence of existing citizenship. Use this process if you are already Australian and need proof of citizenship or need to replace evidence that was lost, destroyed or damaged.
- Check how you acquired citizenship. Identify whether your citizenship arose by birth, operation of law, descent, an earlier citizenship grant or another qualifying historical circumstance because this determines the supporting evidence required.
- Prepare your identity documents. Gather three documents that together establish your birth details, photograph, signature and current residential address, plus official documents for any name changes.
- Complete Form 1195 Identity Declaration. Arrange for an eligible Australian citizen who meets the Form 1195 requirements to complete the declaration and endorse the required photograph.
- Gather citizenship evidence. If you still have an earlier citizenship certificate or extract, provide it as required. If citizenship arose through birth or a parent's status, provide the relevant birth, parent citizenship, permanent-residence or residence evidence for your circumstances.
- Prepare translations and scans. Upload the original document and an English translation for every non-English document. Scan original documents in colour and make sure every file is clear and legible.
- Apply through ImmiAccount. Complete the evidence of Australian citizenship application online, upload the required documents and photograph, and review the information before submitting.
- Pay the application fee. For a standard application lodged from 1 July 2026, pay AUD290. If replacing evidence affected by an eligible listed natural disaster, check the fee-exemption conditions before lodging.
- Monitor the application. Check ImmiAccount and respond promptly if Home Affairs requests additional documents or information.
- Receive the decision and certificate. Home Affairs will notify you in writing. If approved, your citizenship certificate is printed and sent by registered post.
When do you need an Australian citizenship certificate?
An Australian citizenship certificate is an official document proving that you are an Australian citizen. You can apply for one when you already hold Australian citizenship but need formal evidence, or when an earlier certificate has been lost, destroyed or damaged.
This process does not grant citizenship. If you are still applying to become an Australian citizen, you should use the relevant citizenship pathway instead. For example, if a child was born overseas to an Australian citizen, the appropriate process may be Australian citizenship by descent rather than an application merely for evidence.
A citizenship certificate can also be important when another authority asks you to prove Australian citizenship. Depending on your circumstances, other documents such as a current Australian passport may also be accepted as proof of citizenship.
Who is eligible to apply for evidence of citizenship?
Home Affairs accepts evidence applications from people who may have acquired Australian citizenship through a range of circumstances. These include people previously issued citizenship evidence and people who became citizens automatically under Australian citizenship law.
Examples include eligible people who:
- were born in Australia during periods when citizenship was acquired automatically under the law;
- were born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986 to an Australian citizen or permanent-resident parent;
- were born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986 and acquired citizenship on their 10th birthday after being ordinarily resident in Australia throughout their first 10 years;
- were previously issued an Australian citizenship certificate or extract;
- became an Australian citizen by descent;
- acquired citizenship through an eligible adoption; or
- qualify under one of the historical citizenship categories described by Home Affairs.
The evidence you need depends on the legal basis on which you became an Australian citizen.
Can a child get a citizenship certificate?
Yes. An applicant can be of any age. However, a responsible parent must apply for a child under 16.
Each person needs a separate application. You cannot include children in your own evidence-of-citizenship application.
How do you replace a lost or damaged certificate?
If you were previously issued a citizenship certificate, citizenship extract, descent extract or other qualifying evidence and it has been lost, destroyed or damaged, you can apply for new evidence of citizenship.
If you still possess the previous document, Home Affairs requires you to provide it as part of the application and may require the old evidence to be surrendered. An exception can apply where other people are also named on the document, such as where you were recorded on a parent's certificate.
If the certificate was lost and you no longer have it, explain the replacement circumstances accurately in the application and provide the other required identity and citizenship evidence.
How much does a citizenship certificate cost in 2026?
For a standard application under section 37 of the Australian Citizenship Act, the fee from 1 July 2026 is AUD290.
The current amount is set by the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016. Citizenship fees are subject to indexation, so applicants lodging after a future 1 July should check the current Home Affairs fee before submitting.
You pay when lodging the application. An application cannot be processed if the correct fee is not paid.
When can replacement be free after a natural disaster?
A special nil-fee exemption applies if your evidence of Australian citizenship was lost, destroyed or damaged because of a natural disaster included on the Department's published list and you apply within 18 months of the date specified for that disaster.
To qualify, you must provide a statutory declaration stating that the evidence was lost, destroyed or damaged because of the natural disaster. If the certificate is damaged, you must also provide the damaged citizenship evidence.
If you apply after the 18-month period, the standard application fee applies.
What identity documents do you need?
Home Affairs requires evidence of your identity from birth to the present. Provide three documents that together show:
- your birth name, date of birth and gender;
- your photograph;
- your signature; and
- your current residential address.
You should normally provide a full birth certificate showing your parents' names. If you cannot provide one, Home Affairs accepts specified alternative collections of documents that establish identity from birth.
Documents that can help establish your photograph and signature include a valid passport, Australian driver licence, national identity card, Australian proof-of-age card and certain other official identity documents.
Evidence of your residential address can include a utility bill, rates notice, rental contract or bank statement.
What if your name has changed?
Provide official documents connecting every relevant name you have used. Examples include an official marriage or divorce certificate or formal change-of-name evidence issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages or the relevant overseas authority.
What is Form 1195 Identity Declaration?
Evidence-of-citizenship applicants must provide an identity declaration using Form 1195.
The person completing the identity declaration must meet the conditions on the form. Current Form 1195 requires the declarant to:
- be an Australian citizen;
- have known you for at least one year;
- work in one of the listed professions or occupations;
- not be related to you by birth, marriage or de facto relationship; and
- be contactable by telephone during normal working hours.
The declarant also endorses and signs the required photograph. For an online application, scan and attach the completed declaration and endorsed photograph as instructed by Home Affairs.
What photo do you need?
Your citizenship application photo must be recent and meet Home Affairs quality requirements. It must be no more than 6 months old, in colour, clear, unedited and taken against a neutral or light-grey background that contrasts with your face.
For online citizenship applications, the digital image should be a JPEG between 70 KB and 3.5 MB. Home Affairs prefers a resolution of 1200 by 1600 pixels and recommends using a professional passport-photo provider rather than a mobile app or online photo generator.
What documents prove how you became an Australian citizen?
The supporting documents depend on the basis on which citizenship was acquired.
If you were previously issued evidence of citizenship, provide the earlier certificate or extract if you still have it.
If you were born in Australia between 26 January 1949 and 19 August 1986 and acquired citizenship by birth, Home Affairs states that apart from your identity evidence, additional citizenship documents are generally not required for that birth category.
If you were born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986 and acquired citizenship because a parent was an Australian citizen or permanent resident when you were born, provide evidence of that parent's status if available. Examples include an Australian citizenship certificate, qualifying Australian passport, Australian birth certificate or evidence of permanent residence.
If you rely on acquiring citizenship on your 10th birthday, Home Affairs requires evidence of your parents' status at your birth where available and evidence showing your residence in Australia throughout the first 10 years of your life. Examples can include passports, school reports, immunisation records, club memberships and banking records.
How should you prepare overseas or non-English documents?
For every document that is not in English, provide both the original document and an English translation.
If the translation is completed in Australia, the translator must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. An overseas translator does not have to be NAATI accredited, but every translation must show the translator's full name, address, telephone number, qualifications and experience in the language.
Scan original documents in colour. Files must be clear and legible, and a multi-page document should be saved as one file. Home Affairs advises applicants to attach each document only once even if it supports more than one requirement.
How do you apply online in ImmiAccount?
The Department of Home Affairs directs applicants to apply online through ImmiAccount. You can apply while you are in Australia or overseas.
- Create or sign in to ImmiAccount.
- Start an application for evidence of Australian citizenship.
- Complete the personal and citizenship-history questions accurately.
- Upload your identity documents, Form 1195, photograph and supporting citizenship evidence.
- Upload original documents and translations where a document is not in English.
- Review the entire application before submission.
- Pay the required application fee unless you qualify for the natural-disaster exemption.
- Submit the application and monitor ImmiAccount for further requests.
Home Affairs states that applying online where possible and providing all required documents can help it finalise the application more quickly.
How long does a citizenship certificate application take?
Current Home Affairs processing statistics show that 90% of evidence of Australian citizenship applications are processed within 16 days.
The current published breakdown is:
- 25% processed within 1 day;
- 50% processed within 3 days;
- 75% processed within 7 days; and
- 90% processed within 16 days.
These figures measure the period from application to decision and are a guide, not a guaranteed deadline. Incomplete applications, missing documents and additional identity or citizenship checks can take longer.
How long does the certificate take to arrive after approval?
After approval, Home Affairs prints the certificate and sends it by registered post.
For applicants in Australia, allow about 2 additional weeks for printing and postage. If you are overseas and have not supplied an Australian postal address, Home Affairs says printing and postage may take about 6 weeks.
What happens after you apply?
Home Affairs tells you its decision in writing. If your application is approved, it sends an approval letter and posts your citizenship certificate.
If the application is refused, Home Affairs sends a letter explaining the reasons. The decision may be reviewable by the Administrative Review Tribunal. The refusal letter explains where to lodge a review request and the applicable time limit.
What if your new certificate contains an error?
Check your name and date of birth as soon as the certificate arrives. If you believe Home Affairs made a printing or departmental error, contact the Department promptly.
If Home Affairs made the error and you notify it within 6 weeks of receiving the certificate, you may not need to make a new change application. If you report it later, or the incorrect information came from details you supplied, you may need to apply to change the citizenship evidence.
Where a departmental error caused the incorrect evidence and a new evidence application fee was paid, the regulations allow the Department to refund the fee in qualifying circumstances.
Do not alter or write on the citizenship certificate
An Australian citizenship certificate is an important legal document. Do not write on it, alter it or allow another person to alter it. Home Affairs states that alteration of citizenship evidence is an offence under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007.
Keep the original in a safe place. If you need Australian travel documentation after proving your citizenship, a separate passport application is required. For a first adult passport, see the Helpydo guide on applying for your first Australian adult passport.
Common citizenship certificate mistakes to avoid
- Using this process to become an Australian citizen. An evidence application proves citizenship you already hold; it does not confer citizenship.
- Using an outdated fee. The statutory standard fee increased to AUD290 for applications made from 1 July 2026.
- Leaving out Form 1195. The identity declaration and correctly endorsed photograph are important parts of the identity evidence.
- Providing only one type of identity evidence. Home Affairs requires three documents that collectively establish the specified identity elements.
- Failing to connect different names. Supply official documents linking previous and current names.
- Uploading untranslated foreign-language documents. Include both the original and compliant English translation.
- Using the natural-disaster exemption without the required declaration. The exemption has specific disaster, evidence and 18-month timing requirements.
- Applying for multiple family members in one application. Each applicant needs a separate evidence-of-citizenship application.
- Writing on or altering a certificate after it arrives. Citizenship certificates are legal documents and must not be altered.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace an Australian citizenship certificate in 2026?
For a standard evidence of Australian citizenship application made from 1 July 2026, the fee is AUD290. A qualifying replacement after a listed natural disaster can be fee-free if the statutory conditions are met.
Can I replace a lost Australian citizenship certificate online?
Yes. Home Affairs directs applicants to apply for evidence of Australian citizenship online through ImmiAccount. The same process can be used where an earlier certificate was lost, destroyed or damaged.
How long does it take to get a replacement citizenship certificate?
Current Home Affairs data shows 90% of evidence-of-citizenship applications are decided within 16 days. After approval, allow about two additional weeks for printing and postage within Australia, or about six weeks for overseas delivery where no Australian postal address is provided.
What documents do I need for an Australian citizenship certificate?
You need three identity documents that collectively show your birth details, photograph, signature and address, Form 1195 Identity Declaration with the required photograph, evidence of name changes where relevant, and documents supporting how you acquired Australian citizenship.
Do I need my old citizenship certificate to get a replacement?
If you still have the previous citizenship certificate or extract, Home Affairs requires you to provide it as part of the application and may require it to be surrendered. If it was lost or destroyed, you can still apply using the other required evidence.
Can a child get an Australian citizenship certificate?
Yes. There is no minimum age, but a responsible parent must make the application for a child under 16. Each child requires a separate application.
Can I get a free replacement if my citizenship certificate was destroyed in a flood or bushfire?
Potentially. No fee is payable if the certificate was lost, destroyed or damaged because of a natural disaster on Home Affairs' qualifying list, the application is made within 18 months of the specified event date, and the required statutory declaration and any damaged evidence are provided.
Do I need Form 1195 for an evidence of citizenship application?
Yes. Home Affairs requires an Identity Declaration using Form 1195, together with the required photograph endorsed by an eligible Australian citizen who meets the form's conditions.
Can I apply for a citizenship certificate while outside Australia?
Yes. Home Affairs states that you can apply for evidence of Australian citizenship from inside or outside Australia through ImmiAccount.
What should I do if Home Affairs printed my citizenship certificate incorrectly?
Contact Home Affairs as soon as possible. If the Department made the error and you notify it within six weeks of receiving the certificate, you may not need to lodge a separate change application.
Official sources
Department of Home Affairs - Get a citizenship certificateDepartment of Home Affairs - Evidence of citizenship and certificatesDepartment of Home Affairs - Replace citizenship evidence after a natural disasterDepartment of Home Affairs - Citizenship processing timesDepartment of Home Affairs - Photo requirements for citizenship applicationsFederal Register of Legislation - Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016, current from 1 July 2026Related procedures
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