Child Passport Applications

Question

Senator PATERSON: If I'm not a parent and I'm picking up a minor's passport, in addition to that standard form that says I'm picking up a passport on behalf of someone else, I also need a piece of evidence to show that I'm permitted to pick up that child's form. Or is it dealt with in the same form? Ms Veneros: It's the same form; it's just that we make sure that we've got all the correct individuals with parental responsibility providing us with the permission- Senator PATERSON: So you would then check with that minor's parents that I'm specifically authorised to pick up that child's passport? Ms Veneros: Or the person who holds legal responsibility or has been authorised to represent that child. Sometimes there are court orders or there are other legal arrangements in place- Senator PATERSON: A legal guardian, for example- Ms Veneros: A guardian or other, yes- Senator PATERSON: If there are no parents, or parents or grandparents are not available-something like that. Ms Veneros: Correct. Senator PATERSON: How do you determine the validity of those kinds of claims-'The legal guardian authorised me to pick this up'? Ms Veneros: We work with the courts to make sure that there are court orders or guardianship arrangements in place, and then we check those documents. That's part of our assessment process. Senator PATERSON: Are these restrictions a matter of policy for DFAT or are they specified in the legislation? Ms Veneros: I'd have to go back and detail that for you. I'll take on notice that question about which are in policy and which are in legislation. But there are details in the legislation around child applications.

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• QoN 175.pdf (opens in a new tab)