Requirements for certificates

Proof of ID (identification)

Copies of proof of ID documents sent to us by post with your application must be certified as a true and correct copy by a qualified witness—don't send original proof of ID by post. If you apply in person at a counter, customer service officers are able to sight your original proof of ID.

If you currently live overseas, you may use the local equivalent for the ID items listed. If your overseas ID is not in English, you need to provide a translation from a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

You must provide 3 forms of current ID:

  • 1 from each category below

OR

  • 2 from Community ID and 1 from the Home address evidence categories below.

All forms of ID must either be:

  • current—document has an expiry date.is valid , and not past the expiry date

OR

  • recent—document does not have  an expiry date, and was issued no more than 6 months before being submitted to us.

Types of ID (categories)

Personal ID

  • Australian photo driver licence
  • Australian passport
  • Overseas passport
  • Adult proof of age card (formerly 18+ card)

Community ID

  • Medicare card
  • Concession or health care card
  • Student ID
  • School or other educational report from the last 12 months
  • Salary advice or payslip
  • Private health provider ID card
  • Defence force or police service identification card
  • Australian firearms licence
  • Document of identity issued by the passport office
  • Naturalisation, citizenship or immigration certificate
  • Birth certificate (does not expire)
  • Security guard or crowd control licence
  • Government employee photo ID
  • Blue card

Home address evidence

Only provide the page with your name and current home address details. If the home address evidence provided is older than 6 months, we may still accept it.

  • Utility account—such as gas, electricity, home phone
  • Rent or lease agreement
  • Rates notice
  • Vehicle registration or driver licence renewal notice from the last 12 months
  • Official letter from other government service providers (not us)
  • Electoral enrolment document
  • Insurance policy notice from the last 12 months

Certified identity documents

If you are not applying in person, you must have your supporting documents certified.

You can do this in Australia with a:

  • Justice of the Peace
  • commissioner for declarations
  • barrister or solicitor
  • notary public.

Or outside Australia with a:

  • notary public
  • Australian Embassy officer
  • Australian Consulate officer.

Translating and interpreting services

For original documents that are not in English, you must provide a translation from a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).