What Do You Need For a Passport?

Making sure you get the right paperwork in order before you travel overseas is crucial, and the most important document you need is a passport. But what exactly do you need to do to obtain your passport?

Application Form and Photo

The first step to getting a passport is filling out the application form. You need to answer a variety of questions and also provide a colour passport photo that meets the specific standards set by the government. The Department of Home Affairs will reject a passport application if the picture isn’t up to scratch. You can take your passport photo at a participating post office or at a pharmacy.

Proof of Identity and Citizenship

The second step is providing additional documents to prove your identity and citizenship. Australian citizens need to submit a birth certificate or Australian citizenship certificate to prove their identity and an official form of identification to prove their citizenship. For some applicants, additional documents may be needed, such as passport photos of parents if the name on the birth certificate is different.

Payment

Once an application is completed, there is usually a fee due for processing the passport. The fee must be paid with a credit card or debit card. Debit card fees are usually lower than credit card fees. The cost of a passport will depend on the age of the applicant and the number of pages needed. All passport applications should be submitted and all fees must be paid before the passport can be processed.

Lodge the Application

Once all items are in order, the passport application is ready to be lodged. Passport applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Australian Passport Office. If you choose to mail the application, you must include certified copies of the supporting documents. Hand-delivered applications need to include original copies of documentation.

Conclusion

Applying for a passport is easier than you think. All you need is a completed application form, a colour passport photo, proof of identity and citizenship documents, the necessary payment and a form of certified identification. Once you have all these items in order, you will be ready to travel in no time.