Alternative evidence to prove parentage of a child

If you don't have the preferred evidence you may provide the documents from Alternative 1 or Alternative 2.

Documents must:

• Name you as parent(s) of the child
• Be originals, not copies

Each parent needs two documents naming them as a parent of the child.

Alternative 1

Provide both the following:

• A statutory declaration (External link) from each parent stating that they are the parent of the child AND
• A birth certificate of a younger brother or sister of the child. The certificate must name this child's 'previous issue'. The birth certificate may be Australian or from overseas.

Alternative 2

Provide:

• A statutory declaration (External link) from each parent stating that they are the parent of the child AND
• Two items for each parent from the list below. Each parent can use only one of the asterisked (*) items. The second item must come from remaining items in the list:
  • Medicare card*
  • Centrelink card*
  • Document issued by the Department of Home Affairs*; for example:
    • Visa*
    • Document for Travel to Australia (DFTTA)*
  • Parent's citizenship certificate
  • Parent passport
  • Child's passport
  • Baptismal or other religious certificates
  • Official hospital record
    • Registration or identity document issued by a recognised provider of international refugee protection. For example:
    • The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
    • International Organisation of Migration (IOM)
  • A written statement that you acted as the child's parent(s) for the six months before applying. The statement may be from:
    • The child's school
    • The child's doctor
    • A maternal and child health nurse
    • A religious leader
    • A settlement or case worker in Australia who is employed by a:
      • Humanitarian Settlement Services provider
      • Status Resolution Support Services provider
      • Settlement Services Program
      • Complex Case Support Program.

The statement must be on the organisation's letterhead.

Documents in languages other than English must be translated by a NAATI translator (External link).