1. Prove citizenship
Prepare the original citizenship certificate or other accepted Australian citizenship evidence.
From Australian Citizenship to Your Passport
A practical sequence for the ceremony, citizenship certificate, passport evidence, photos and lodgement.
Citizenship approval is not usually the final step
Most successful applicants become Australian citizens only after making the Australian Citizenship Pledge at a ceremony. The citizenship certificate issued around that stage is important evidence for a first Australian passport.
- Read the approval and ceremony invitation carefully.
- Attend the ceremony and make the pledge where required.
- Check the citizenship certificate details as soon as you receive it.
- Home Affairs advises waiting at least 10 days after the ceremony before applying online for a passport.
First Australian passport: practical sequence
Use the Passport Office's current instructions and allow enough time before international travel.
2. Gather identity documents
Follow the identity-document combination rules and bring originals—not just digital copies.
3. Obtain passport photos
Use photos that meet the Passport Office's current size, quality and recency requirements.
4. Arrange a referee or guarantor
Check which role applies and ensure the person meets the official eligibility requirements.
5. Complete and lodge
Complete the official form, print it as directed and lodge in person at a participating Australia Post outlet.
Before booking international travel
Passport processing is separate from citizenship processing. The Passport Office currently advises allowing at least six weeks, but processing estimates and priority options can change.
- Check the current processing time before making fixed travel plans.
- Make sure certificate and identity details match the passport application.
- Australian citizens should use an Australian passport to leave and enter Australia.
- Child passport applications have separate consent, identity and guarantor requirements.
Common questions after the ceremony
My certificate has an error
Do not copy an incorrect detail into a passport application. Contact the responsible government authority and follow its correction process first.
I need to travel soon
Check current Passport Office processing and priority-service information. Do not assume citizenship approval alone is a travel document.
I have dual citizenship
Check the laws of the other country and use an Australian passport when leaving and entering Australia as an Australian citizen.
My citizenship is not complete
Return to the citizenship guide for residence, identity, character, test and ceremony preparation.
Open citizenship guide Citizenship guidance under MARN 2519006 Content reviewed 21 July 2026 Passport links go to official sources
Still preparing your citizenship application?
Nestway can review citizenship residence, identity, character and application evidence before lodgement.