PC7 mail instructions

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

b)   Print your completed application (colour or black & white) on US Letter-size 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 your printed form with the image onscreen. Check your printed form shows:

• a barcode at the top right-hand corner of the printed page that starts with 778
• Office Use Only section at the bottom of the page with nothing cut off
• a black triangle in the bottom left and right-hand corners of the printed page.

d)   Sign and date your form at Section 5 using black pen and make sure:

• You use Australian date format (DD/MM/YYYY) 
• There are no alterations to your signature or date
• Your signature is completely inside the signature box, and does not touch the box. 

Note:  Some PC7 renewal application forms display an expiration date of 3 years after your passport expiration, due to a technical issue.  You may still apply using these forms if you meet all other criteria for a PC7 renewal application. You can check the criteria here. 

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 can provide 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)   Print your full name on the back of one photo.  

c)   Make sure ink from your name doesn’t smudge on to the face of the second photo. 

d)   Do NOT attach photos to your form.  Protect your photos in a small bag, envelope, or plastic sleeve.  Do NOT use paperclips or staples on photos under any circumstances. 

a)   Print a Credit Card Authorisation Form and complete the details. 

b)   Mark the boxes to authorise payment for Application Fees and the FedEx Fee (plus Emergency Passport if travelling within 3 weeks).

c)   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.

d)   Alert your bank to the upcoming charges - many of our transactions are declined because your card is not physically present when we process the transaction.  If your payment 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. 

a)  Print a PC7 Cover Sheet and complete it.  One coversheet per family group is required. 

b)   Passports are sent by FedEx to the home address listed on your application.  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: 

• PC7 cover sheet (one per family group) - see above
• Your completed PC7 application form
• Two passport photos 
• Credit card authorisation form (one per family group) 
• If you have travel booked: a copy of your tickets 
• If you need your passport delivered to a different address: a B11 General Declaration. 
• If your current passport is damaged: a B11 General Declaration stating how/when/where the damage occurred, plus a photocopy of the photo page of your passport.

Do NOT send your current passport or any other original documents. 

Please disregard the instruction on the application form to include your passport. 

a)   Find out which Passport Office accepts mail applications from your state.  Applications sent to the incorrect office will be returned. 

b)    Make sure your envelope is clearly marked to the attention of the Passport Office.

c)    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.