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By Descent
If your child was born overseas and you are an Australian citizen, they may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent. This pathway allows children of Australian citizens to obtain Australian citizenship, even if they were not born in Australia.
We guide families through the entire process — from application to approval — ensuring every detail meets legal and documentation standards.
Australian citizenship by descent is for individuals born outside Australia to at least one Australian citizen parent at the time of their birth. This is a legal recognition of your child’s connection to Australia through family ties.
You can apply at any age — whether your child is a newborn or an adult.
To qualify for citizenship by descent, you must show that:
Children born through surrogacy or to same-sex couples may be eligible — though extra legal documentation might be required.
You will typically need to provide:
All non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator.
As of 2025, the citizenship by descent application fee is AUD $360. You should always confirm the current fee using the Form 1298i or the Department of Home Affairs website.
Processing times can vary based on volume and the completeness of your application. However, on average:
Check the Global Visa Processing Times page for the latest updates.
If your child is born abroad, don’t delay the citizenship process. Australian citizenship by descent can open the door to:
Our lawyers ensure your application is complete and compliant from the start.
Whether your child is newly born or an adult applying later in life, we can help.
📞 Call us on 0485 907 989 or book online. We assist clients across Australia and internationally.
Citizenship by descent is for individuals born outside Australia who have at least one parent who was an Australian citizen at the time of their birth.
Yes. If you were an Australian citizen when your child was born, you can apply for their Australian citizenship by descent at any time.
Most applications are processed within 5 to 7 months, depending on the completeness of your documents and application.
You need to complete Form 118, which is specifically for Australian citizenship by descent applications.
Yes. Once granted citizenship, your child is eligible to apply for an Australian passport immediately.