Government of Canada services and information in Canberra, Australia

Refer to International adoption.

Refer to Children born outside of Canada.

If your child is born outside of Canada, you do not need to register the birth in Canada.

Canadian birth certificates are available from the Vital Statistics authorities in the province or territory in which the event occurred.

Applying for a Canadian citizenship certificate from outside Canada and the United States

If you are not eligible to submit your proof of citizenship application online, you must complete a paper application and mail it, along with all required documents, to the following address:

High Commission of Canada
Att: Consular Section (Citizenship application)
150 Commonwealth Ave
Canberra ACT 2600

If you prefer to drop-off your application in person, you are invited to leave your application in the Consular Services drop-box at the guard house from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 4pm (except public holidays).

If you are currently living in Australia and require a criminal record check to cover time spent living in Canada:

Criminal record check with fingerprints

If you are asked for a criminal record check based on fingerprints, you must have your fingerprints taken in Australia. The High Commission of Canada does not provide fingerprinting services, please contact your local Australian state/territory police to enquire about having your fingerprints taken. You will also need to hire a Canadian company to digitize and forward them to the RCMP on your behalf. Refer to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) instructions. No application form is available from the RCMP. The organization you use to digitize and forward your fingerprints to the RCMP will provide you with a form. See accredited fingerprint companies.

Criminal record check without fingerprints

If you are asked for a criminal record check that is only based on your name and date of birth, contact local police in the area where you last resided in Canada and follow their instructions.

An internet search will provide details of private companies in Canada which assist in obtaining police certificates based on your name and date of birth.

Note: The High Commission of Canada to Australia cannot authenticate or confirm the contents of criminal record checks, other than certificates issued by the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa and based on fingerprints.

Refer to Death abroad.

Refer to Marriage abroad.

Marriages that are legally performed in Australia are usually valid in Canada, and you do not need to register them in Canada.

Marriage in Australia

Refer to the following state government links for information on getting married in Australia:

Australian Capital Territory

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Canadian marriage certificates are available from the Vital Statistics authorities in the province or territory in which the event occurred.

Although the Canadian High Commission in Canberra is not in a position to issue a Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage, the office can provide a facilitation letter for a fee, which may satisfy local authorities. If you have questions about this service, please email: cnbracs@international.gc.ca.

The Consular section of the High Commission of Canada in Canberra provides certain notarial services by post or by appointment, to Canadian citizens and, in limited cases, to non-Canadian citizens if the documents are intended for use in Canada. Documents must be in English or French, or accompanied by an official translation in English or French. Notarial services are offered only when no local service providers exist such as a local solicitor or Notary Public.

Consular officials do not provide any legal advice or represent a person in court.

A list of local lawyers is available from the High Commission. Please note that the names and organizations are not an endorsement or a recommendation. Relevant State/Territory Law Societies maintain a more comprehensive listing of lawyers including their specialization:

Australian Capital Territory (ACT): ACT Law Society

South Australia: The Law Society of South Australia

Tasmania: The Law Society of Tasmania

Victoria: Law Institute Victoria

Western Australia: The Law Society of Western Australia

A list of Notary Publics within Australia can be found at: Notary Locator

Instructions below will provide information about the notarial services available. Please note: Some services are only available through the provincial vital statistics office in Canada or through the Authentication section of Global Affairs Canada.

Apostille

As of January 11, 2024, Canadian documents are authenticated with an apostille. The High Commission can authenticate certain documents issued by the Government of Canada or notarized in specific provinces and territories. The following documents may be eligible for authentication:

1. Documents issued by the Government of Canada
2. Vital statistics documents issued by all provinces and territories
3. Certain documents issued or notarized in the following provinces and territories:
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• the Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Prince Edward Island
• Yukon

If your document was notarized in the provinces and territories listed above, the High Commission can also assist no matter where it was originally issued.

Competent authorities in the following provinces will be responsible for authenticating all other documents issued or notarized in their respective provinces. These documents must be submitted to the competent authorities and will not be authenticated at the High Commission.

• Alberta: Ministry of Justice of Alberta
• British Columbia: Ministry of the Attorney General of British Columbia
• Ontario: Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery of Ontario
• Québec: Ministère de la Justice du Québec
• Saskatchewan: Ministry of Justice and Attorney General of Saskatchewan

Visit Changes to authentications services in Canada for more information on how authentication services changed after the Apostille Convention took effect in Canada on January 11, 2024. If you have questions about these services, email cnbracs@international.gc.ca.

Certified copies

The Consular section of the High Commission of Canada in Canberra can produce certified true copies of certain Canadian documents.

You can obtain this service by post. In all cases, your application must include the followings:

• Original documents for which you need certified true copies;
• A payment of 20$CAD per document. Complete and include the Credit Card Authorization form in your application;
• A short letter to explain your request and include a pre-paid Registered Post envelope for us to return your documents;
• Please note: if you are requesting this service to complete your pension application in Canada, this service is offered free of charge. Please include a document to demonstrate that you are applying for certified true copies to complete your pension application in Canada.

Witness a signature, affidavit, sworn statement - by appointment only

Documents presented by a Canadian citizen or a non-Canadian citizen for use in Canada; exceptions apply (fees apply).

If you have questions about notarial services, email cnbracs@international.gc.ca.

Note: Please gather all the necessary documents and draft any affidavit or sworn statement before presenting yourself at your appointment, the date and your signature must be completed in front of the officer.

Note that if witnesses must sign your document, both you and the witnesses must be present at the High Commission on the day. Witnesses must have their own original official and valid pieces of identification.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your witnesses meet the eligibility criteria.

Your presence is mandatory for this service; please contact us to make an appointment cnbracs@international.gc.ca.

Wills, probate and estates

Records of wills and estates are a provincial / territorial responsibility in Canada. To access these records, contact the appropriate provincial or territorial authority.

If submitting your request by mail, send your documents to the High Commission of Canada in Canberra at:

High Commission of Canada

Attention: Consular Section

150 Commonwealth Ave

CANBERRA ACT 2600

This section applies to anyone submitting a passport application from Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu.

If you are applying from New South Wales, Queensland, or the Northern Territory, contact the Consulate General of Canada in Sydney, Australia for instructions.

Please read the information below carefully before applying or contacting the High Commission with questions.

It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure their passports are valid for travel prior to making travel arrangements. If your passport has expired or does not have sufficient validity to accommodate your need to travel, we are unable to guarantee we can process your application prior to your departure date.

To confirm passport and visa requirements to enter a country other than Canada, please consult www.travel.gc.ca

It is recommended that you do not finalize your travel plans until you receive your new passport.

Preparing your application

Complete your passport application by selecting the appropriate application:

Adult Abroad Simplified Renewal passport application Check to see if you are eligible to renew your passport

Adult Abroad General passport application

Child Abroad General passport application (under 16 years of age)

Canadian passports: Applying from abroad.

Photographs

Ensure your photos meet the required specifications. Australia Post is able to provide Canadian passport photos.

Submitting your application

By mail: Send your application by traceable mail to:

High Commission of Canada

Attention: Passport Section

150 Commonwealth Ave
CANBERRA ACT 2600

In person at the High Commission: Lodge your documents in person. The Consular Section at the High Commission of Canada is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon, Monday to Friday (except public holidays). You do not need to make an appointment if lodging an application with the Consular Section during these hours.

Drop-off: Place your application in the drop box at the High Commission guard house during business hours.

If you are sending your application by mail or courier, we recommend using a trackable mailing service to monitor delivery. You can enclose several applications in a single envelope.

Processing times

Standard processing time for Canadian passport applications is 20 business days from the date of receipt of a complete application, excluding holidays and excluding postal delivery time.

Please note that as passports are printed in Canada, it is not possible to expedite this processing time. Do not contact the High Commission during the 20 business days of processing time. Unnecessary enquiries may delay processing.

Urgent travel

If you are travelling within the next 20 business days, email cnbracs@international.gc.ca to seek further instruction. Your email must specify your travel dates, destination(s), and whether you hold dual nationality. Mark your email as urgent in the subject line and ensure you provide a phone number(s) where we can easily reach you.

Receiving your new passport

Your passport and original documents will be returned to you by registered mail and require a signature upon delivery. You do not have to provide an envelope or pay extra fees for this return mail service. Delivery times vary depending on your location.

Entering Canada on your non-Canadian passport

If you are a dual national and need to travel urgently without a valid Canadian passport, you might be eligible for special authorization to enter Canada using your non-Canadian passport. This service is free and allows eligible individuals to board their flight to Canada under specific circumstances.

Questions

Email passport questions to cnbracs@international.gc.ca only if an answer is not available on this website and cannot be found in the Passport Help Centre.

Passports - Frequently asked questions

Do dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada?

Who can act as a guarantor?

What proof of Canadian citizenship is acceptable?

I have changed my surname. Can I obtain a new passport?

In the event of separation or divorce, who can apply for a passport on behalf of a child?

Who can act as a reference?

See other top questions about passports.

Refer to Benefits for Canadians living abroad.

Canadian residents in Australia will receive their Canada pension, Old Age Security and Québec pension in Australian dollars by direct deposit.

Here is a list of toll-free numbers that can be used to access information on the Government of Canada from locations outside Canada and the United States. Service is provided in English and French, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Eastern time.

Information about veterans’ services is available from Veterans Affairs Canada.

Refer to Cancel Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits if someone has passed away. The estate/relatives of the deceased may be entitled to benefits following the death.

Refer to Marriage outside Canada.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 2017.

See general information on getting married in Australia.

Refer to Students and youth and EduCanada.

Find out if you need a study permit.

The Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ)

The Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ) is an interdisciplinary organisation that encourages interest in Canadian Studies and aims to promote greater understanding of Canada. The Association's members are academics researching and teaching about Canada in Australia and New Zealand.

ACSANZ is funded by the Government of Canada, through the International Council of Canadian Studies (ICCS). ACSANZ was formally established in 1982 and was one of the founding members of the ICCS.

ACSANZ and the Canadian High Commission in Canberra manage a range of programs and awards, which promote Canadian Studies in tertiary institutions in Australia and New Zealand. Support is given to teaching and research in a number of areas, particularly in the social sciences and humanities, and to work of a comparative nature.

ACSANZ activities include:

• The ACSANZ biennial conference in Canadian Studies, held in even numbered years
• Periodic regional mini-conferences, which focus on special topics
• A refereed scholarly journal, Australasian Canadian Studies, published twice annually
• A newsletter with information about forthcoming conferences, funding schemes, and other news, sent to all members
• Several postgraduate research travel grants offered annually, to stimulate and support interest in Canadian Studies among potential academics

Refer to Travel documents – Visas.

• Apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada.
• Find a visa application centre (VAC) to book an appointment to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
• Submit an enquiry using the IRCC web form to contact a visa office.

Permanent residents of Canada: Find out how to apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD).

Refer to Voting in an election while outside Canada.