Content:

Passport

Austrian passports are generally valid for ten (10) years. Passports for children up to the age of 12 are issued with a limited validity of between 2 and 5 years, depending on the age of the applicant. 
All passport applicants age 12 and above will have their fingerprints taken. These data will be stored on the microchip of the passport for additional document security.
The biometric passports are printed in Austria only. It usually takes two to four weeks from filing the application until the new passport is handed over to the applicant.

In accordance with the EU-principle "one person - one passport" as of 15 June 2009 it is no longer possible to have children entered into the passport of the Austrian parent(s). Existing entries of children will automatically loose validity by 15 June 2012.

Since the introduction of the biometric passport with fingerprint in March 2009 all passport applications have to be filed in person at the Embassy in Canberra, or (since 1 September 2009) the Austrian Honorary Consulates Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.   
In New Zealand the Austrian passport can be applied for at the Austrian Honorary Consulate Auckland only.

Austrian citizens can also apply for an Austrian passport during vacation in Austria. A residence address is not required. Every passport office in Austria is able to process the application.
Applicants holding permanent residence status in Australia or New Zealand have to show proof of residence status. For this purpose a recent Certificate of Evidence of Residence Permit (issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship) or a Denial of Citizenship (issued by the Immigration New Zealand) has to be produced at the time of application of the passport in Austria.

All supporting documents have to be presented in original together with one copy. Please note that all documents issued in Australia and New Zealand have to be legalized by an "Apostille" (see "Authentication" for details) and have to be submitted in original. Documents issued by other countries have to be issued with the relevant legalization (Apostille or other) and have also to be translated into German (except for documents in English):

1. Application form - If the applicant is under age 18 (please note there is a separate application form for minors), one of the parents (if parents are married) or the legal guardian must sign the application as well. (The legal guardian for children born out of wedlock is the unmarried mother. If the parents are divorced and share custody, both parents have to sign the application form).
2. Affidavit - completed and signed (see below) 
3. one (1) recent passport photo. For specifications see passport picture criteria website (in German). Additionally to the listed criteria the eyes on the picture have to be in the upper half of the photograph!
4. Recent "Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status" (not be older than 3 months) for Austrian Permanent Residents in Australia (in New Zealand: "Denial of Citizenship") to be obtained from the local Department of Immigration. If you hold dual citizenship or a temporary visa this document is not required.
5. Birth Certificate 
6. Citizenship Certificate
   Children up to 12 years of age: Certificate of Citizenship of either parent (if child was born in wedlock) or of mother (if child was born out of wedlock)
7. old passport
8. if applicable: Birth Certificate of child(ren) to be entered into the passport of the parent
9. if applicable: Marriage (issued by Registrar Office) and Divorce Certificates
10. if applicable: Proof of academic degree (e.g. diploma)
11. if applicable: Austrian Change of Name Document
12. if passport has been lost or stolen: proof that loss/theft has been reported to police. You must also prove your identity and your Austrian citizenship.
13. Self-addressed prepaid envelope if you want your passport returned by mail (the Embassy cannot be held liable for any loss or theft of documents while handled by a mail/postal service)
14. Cash, Bank cheque (no personal cheques) or money order made out to "Austrian Embassy" for the applicable consular fee.
15. Please state a day-time phone number on your application.

Austrian citizens who are unable to apply for a new passport in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Auckland may be able to lodge the passport application locally through the mobile passport application unit.

Currently the following visits are planned:

• Honorary Consulate General Brisbane: 23 March 2010 - fully booked! (next visit planned for September/October, exact date to be announced)
• Honorary Consulate Adelaide: 30 March 2010
• Honorary Consulate Cairns: --------
• Honorary Consulate Hobart: 27 March 2010
• Honorary Consulate Christchurch: August 2010 (to be confirmed)
• Honorary Consulate General Wellington: --------

Please contact the relevant Consulate to set up an appointment for the submission of your passport application.

The following changes can be made in valid Austrian passports:

• cancellation of entry of children
• change of place of residence (only passports issued before 16.06.2006)

As of 15 June 2009 the entry of a child into the passport of the parent(s) is not longer possible. Existing entries will automatically loose validity by 15 June 2012!

A change of one's family name is not possible. In that case, you have to apply for a new passport.

1. Application form for change in passport - dated and signed
2. Current passport
3. Change of place of residence: Proof of address in Australia (e.g. driver's licence)
4. Self-addressed prepaid envelope if you want your passport returned by mail (the Embassy cannot be held liable for any loss or theft of documents while handled by a mail/postal service)
5. Cash, Bank cheque (no personal cheques) or money order made out to "Austrian Embassy" for the applicable consular fee.
6. Please state a day-time phone number on your application.

It is now possible to apply for the Austrian ID-Card (Personalausweis) through the Austrian Embassies. This document can also be used to travel from Austria to many European countries and allows additional functions to be added (for use in Austria only). However, this document is not recognized in Australia.
For a list of necessary documents see information for passport applications above.

For further details on the Austrian ID-Card see www.help.gv.at.

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