Child renewal by mail

a)   Go to www.passports.gov.au to create an account and fill out an application online. 

b)   Print the completed application (colour or black & white) on US letter-sized paper. You may need to adjust your printer settings so that it fits on US letter-size paper, especially if you use Google Chrome.  Look for Shrink to Fit or Fit to Page in your print settings. 

c)   Compare the printed form with the image onscreen. Check the printed form shows:

• A barcode at the top right-hand corner of the printed pages that starts with *111
• Nothing cut off the bottom of each page
• A black triangle in the bottom left and right-hand corners of each page

Read the guarantor requirements on our website and have your guarantor complete Section 11 of the application form.  Make sure:

• They are currently employed in one of the approved occupations OR they are an Australian passport holder
• They use Australian date format (DD/MM/YYYY) 
• There are no alterations to their signature or date
• They write the following on the back of one photo – “This is a true photo of [child’s full name]” - then sign underneath.

a)   Both parents should complete Sections 12-15 to provide parental consent.  Please make sure:

• All sections on the page are completed
• In particular, make sure the parents’ current names in Sections 13B and 14B have been completed – you can add this by hand if you did not include it in the electronic version of the form
• You sign in front of an independent witness who is not related to you or the child and not living at your address – see the requirements listed at Section 15 at the bottom left-hand side of the page
• You use the Australian date format (DD/MM/YYYY)
• There are no alternations to your signature or date

b)   Both parents must provide a photocopy of one piece of government-issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license or passport).  If the photo ID does not contain the parent’s current residential address, a photocopy of an additional Category C document must be provided as proof of address (e.g. utility bill or bank statement - please see website for additional Category C documents).

Note:  Parental consent may be provided on two separate pages if preferred by printing Sections 12-15 of the application twice.  Parents may sign in front of different witnesses. 

Parents living separately may send their consent and ID to the lodging office separately if preferred.  They should include a note to indicate this arrangement.

a)   One parent should sign and date the declaration at Section 17. Make sure:

• You use Australian date format (DD/MM/YYYY) 
• There are no alterations to your signature or date

b)   Children over 10 years old must sign the form at Section 18 using black pen and make sure:

• The signature is completely inside the box, and does not touch the box
• There are not alterations to the signature

a)   Obtain 2 photos that meet the Australian passport standards. See our website for a list of photographer locations.  

• For quality reasons, we reject 95% of photos from locations not listed on our website
• We CANNOT accept photos from Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, USPS, Costco, Staples, Walmart, AAA or FedEx
• No selfies allowed
• Photos must be printed on a dye sublimation printer (no inkjet prints).
• If your photographer offers a digital copy of your photo, we recommend you keep a JPEG copy in case your photo has a printing imperfection, is smudged with ink, or is damaged during transit to our office, and requires reprinting.  

b)   Make sure the guarantor has endorsed the back of one photo with “This is a true photo of [applicant’s full name)” and signed underneath.

• Make sure ink from the name doesn’t smudge on to the face of the second photo. It is okay if the ink on the back where the guarantor has signed is slightly smudged so long as it is legible. 
• Do NOT attach photos to the form.  Protect the photos in a small bag, envelope, or plastic sleeve.
• Do NOT use paperclips or staples on photos under any circumstances. 

• Print a Credit Card Authorisation Form and complete the details. We need a wet ink signature - not digital.  Only one form per family group is required. 
• Mark the boxes to authorise payment for Application Fees and the FedEx Fee (plus Emergency Passport if travelling within 3 weeks).
• Check our Fees page for current application fees and the type of payment card(s) accepted by your lodging office. We do not accept cash or cheques.
• Alert your bank to the upcoming changes.  Some transactions are declined because your card is not physically present, particularly if you are out of state. If your transaction is declined, your application may be returned.  Fees may be charged in Australian or US dollars, depending on the date and location of processing.

Make sure you have sufficient funds in your account to cover the fees or your application will be returned. 

• Print a Child Renewal Cover Sheet and complete it.  One Cover Sheet per family group is required.
• Passports are sent by FedEx to the home address listed on your application in Section 8.  Someone must sign on delivery. To request your new passport be sent to a different address (e.g. work address), make this request in a B11 General Declaration form and include this form with your application kit. Please note passports cannot be sent to PO Boxes.

Your application kit must include: 

• Child renewal cover sheet (one per family group) - see above
• The completed child renewal application form
• Two passport photos (one endorsed by the guarantor)
• Photocopy of both parent’s photo ID
• Photocopy of proof of address for both parents (if the parent's photo ID does not also show the current address)
• Credit card authorisation form (one per family group)
• If you have travel booked: a copy of your tickets 
• If you need the passport delivered to a different address: a B11 General Declaration
• If the current passport is damaged: a B11 General Declaration stating how/when/where the damage occurred, plus a photocopy of the photo page of the passport. 

Do NOT send the child’s current passport or any other original or photocopied documents unless requested by the Passport Office. 

• Find out which Passport Office accepts mail applications from your state.  Applications sent to the incorrect office will be returned. 
• Make sure your envelope is clearly marked to the attention of the Passport Office.
• If you are applying for an Emergency Passport, clearly write EMERGENCY PASSPORT on the outside of your envelope.  We do NOT recommend applying by mail if your application will reach the lodging office within a week or less of your desired travel date, unless your departure date is flexible. Please apply in person instead if your travel is genuinely urgent. 
• We recommend you use a mail or courier service that provides a tracking number so you can confirm delivery.

Do NOT send the child’s current passport or any original or photocopied documents unless requested by the Passport Office.