Adult Passport - Streamlined Renewal - Applying by mail
Child Passport - Renewal - Applying by mail
Child passport renewal applications can be lodged by mail provided the applicant is:
- aged 0 -15 years old and
- has held a previous passport
For all first-time child applications and applicants aged 16 or 17, the application must be lodged in person at an appointment. Information on scheduling an appointment can be found in the section "All Other Passport Applications" below.
All Other Passport Applications - How to apply
All of the below passport applications must be lodged in person at the Australian Consulate-General in Geneva.
- First Adult passport - your most recent Australian passport was issued when you were a child or you have never held an Australian passport
- First Child passport - your child has never held an Australian passport - both parents to attend the appointment
- Adult renewal - your most recent passport was issued before 1 January 2006 (not eligible for the mailed-in/streamlined renewal)
- Child renewal - aged 16 or 17 (not eligible for mailed-in renewal). Will be issued with a 10-year validity passport - the child togther with at least one parent must attend the appointment
- Name Change (or other changes) in your passport
- Replacement of a Lost, Stolen or Seriously Damaged passport (full 5-page application) *
- Replacement of a passport - Full Visa Pages or Minor Damage (1-page streamlined renewal application, lodged in-person at an appointment, new passport issued with the same expiry date) *
* For damaged passports of any type, please send a photo of the damage to determine which application is required (damaged passports must be brought to the appointment)
Passport Processing Times
Passport processing times are currently around 4 - 6 weeks (not including postage and transit times). Why is the passport office telling people to allow at least 6 weeks to get their passport?
Passport Photos
Two identical high-quality photos are required for all passport applications. Requirements for photos can be checked at: Photo Requirements | Australian Passport Office (passports.gov.au). Photos not meeting these requirements will be rejected resulting in passport processing delays.
Many photographers also provide a digital image in addition to the physical photo - if you have this we recommend sending it to us via email (before your appointment or before applying by mail) to: [email protected]
Additional Important Information
Do both parents need to attend child application appointments? Both parents are required to attend appointments for all Child First passports, Emergency passports and all Child passport applications from neighbouring countries.
Incomplete applications (including missing documents and incorrectly executed parental consent) will not be accepted. You will be required to rebook an appointment or, if applying by mail, your application will be returned to you. We recommend downloading and using the detailed checklists from our website to assist you in preparing your application.
Urgent / Confirmed Travel If you have confirmed travel plans or need to travel urgently, it may be possible to have an Emergency Passport. Emergency Passports take 2 business days to process (once the application has been finalised). There is an additional Emergency Passport fee. More information can be found at APO Emergency Passports. If you have urgent or confirmed travel plans, please email us at [email protected] to discuss your situation. Please note both parents are required to attend appoinements for Emergency passports.
Safeguarding your personal information from cyber security incidents and identity thefts/scams
If you are concerned that your passport and/or identity may have been compromised by a cyber security incident and/or an identity theft/scam please consult the following websites:
Cyber Security Incident:
Australian Passports Office
IdentityThefts/Scams:
Australian Passports Office
Australian Cyber Security Centre