Embajada de Australia
Bogota
Colombia

Child passport renewal by mail

Child passport renewal by mail


Child renewal applications for children aged 15 or younger can be lodged by mail.

First time passports, passports for children aged 16 and 17 years, and applications to replace temporary or emergency passports must continue to be lodged in person. 

Please check with us via email ([email protected]) whether an in-person interview is required if the following applies to you: 

  • your child was born through surrogacy or adoption
  • one parent or person with parental responsibility has not provided their written consent on the application form
  • Australian court orders have been issued in relation to your child 

Instructions for how to submit a child renewal application by mail

Please follow the step by step instructions below.  

1. Print the application form

a)   Go to http://www.passports.gov.au/ to create an account and fill out the application online

b)   Print the completed application (colour or black & white) on letter-sized paper. You may need to adjust your printer settings so that it fits on letter-size paper, especially if you use Google Chrome. Look for Shrink to Fit or Fit to Page in your print settings. 

c)   Compare the printed form with the image onscreen. Check the printed form shows:

  • A barcode at the top right-hand corner of the printed pages that starts with *111
  • Nothing cut off the bottom of each page
  • A black triangle in the bottom left and right-hand corners of each page.

2. Obtain a guarantor

Have your guarantor complete Section 11 of the application form.  Make sure:

  • They are currently employed in one of the approved occupations OR they are an Australian passport holder
  • They use Australian date format (DD/MM/YYYY) 
  • There are no alterations to their signature or date

They write the following on the back of one photo – “This is a true photo of [child’s full name]” - then sign underneath.

3. Provide parental consent

a)   Both parents should complete Sections 12-15 to provide parental consent.  Please make sure:

  • All sections on the page are completed
  • In particular, make sure the parents’ current names in Sections 13B and 14B have been completed – you can add this by hand if you did not include it in the electronic version of the form
  • You sign in front of an independent witness who is not related to you or the child and not living at your address – see the requirements listed at Section 15 at the bottom left-hand side of the page
  • You use the Australian date format (DD/MM/YYYY)
  • There are no alterations to your signature or date

b)   Both parents must provide a photocopy of one piece of government-issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport or local ID).  If the photo ID does not contain the parent’s current residential address, a photocopy of an additional Category C document must be provided as proof of address (e.g. utility bill or bank statement - please see website for additional Category C documents).

Note:  Parental consent may be provided on two separate pages if preferred by printing Sections 12-15 of the application twice.  Parents may sign in front of different witnesses. 

Parents living separately may send their consent and ID to the lodging office separately if preferred.  They should include a note to indicate this arrangement.

4. Sign Sections 17 and 18

a)   One parent should sign and date the declaration at Section 17. Make sure:

  • You use Australian date format (DD/MM/YYYY) 
  • There are no alterations to your signature or date

b)   Children over 10 years old must sign the form at Section 18 using black pen and make sure:

  • The signature is completely inside the box, and does not touch the box

There are not alterations to the signature.

5. Obtain two photos

a)   Obtain 2 photos that meet the Australian passport standards. Please check the photo requirements.

  • No selfies allowed
  • Photos must be printed on a dye sublimation printer (no inkjet prints).

b)   Make sure the guarantor has endorsed the back of one photo with “This is a true photo of [applicant’s full name]” and signed underneath.

  • Make sure ink from the name doesn’t smudge on to the face of the second photo. It is okay if the ink on the back where the guarantor has signed is slightly smudged so long as it is legible. 
  • Do NOT attach photos to the form.  Protect the photos in a small envelope, baggie or plastic sleeve.

6. Choose payment option

  • You can pay depositing the amount on our Colombian bank account. When your application is ready, send an email at [email protected] requesting fee payment instructions.
  • We can also send you a payment link. If you prefer this option, please send us the application package and we will contact you once we receive it.

7. Complete your Cover Sheet and delivery information

  • Print a Child Renewal Cover Sheet and complete it.  One Cover Sheet per family group is required.
  • Passports are sent by DHL to the home address listed on your application in Section 8. Someone must sign on delivery. To request your new passport be sent to a different address (e.g. work address), make this request in a B11 General Declaration form and include this form with your application kit. Please note passports cannot be sent to PO Boxes.

8. Prepare your application kit

Your application kit must include: 

  • Child renewal cover sheet (one per family group) - see above
  • The completed child renewal application form
  • Two passport photos (one endorsed by the guarantor)
  • Photocopy of both parent’s photo ID and proof of address
  • Deposit slip. Not applicable if you would like to pay with payment link.
  • If you have travel booked: a copy of your tickets 
  • If you need the passport delivered to a different address: a B11 General Declaration
  • If the current passport is damaged: a B11 General Declaration stating how/when/where the damage occurred, plus a photocopy of the photo page of the passport

Do NOT send the child’s current passport or any other original documents unless requested by the Passport Office. 

9. Send your application kit to your lodging office

a)   The Passport office in Bogota receives applications from clients in Colombia and Venezuela only.

b)   Make sure your envelope is clearly marked to the attention of the Passport Office.

c)   If you are applying for an Emergency Passport, clearly write EMERGENCY PASSPORT on the outside of your envelope.

We recommend you use a mail or courier service that provides a tracking number so you can confirm delivery.

Post your application to:
Embajada de Australia en Colombia
Attn: Passport Office
Avenida Carrera 9 # 115-06 Of. 2003
Edificio Tierra Firme
Bogotá, Colombia
110111

What happens next

After delivery, allow up to 1 week for processing of your application to begin.  

Please monitor your email in case we contact you. During assessment, you may be asked to provide more information, including original documents if your details or the child’s details have changed since the last application.

If your application is complete, it will be submitted to Australia for processing and printing. The time to receive your new passport will be approximately 6-10 weeks from the time your application fees are receipted.  If you need a new passport to travel in the meantime, please see our Urgent Travel page. 

We will send you an automated email advising your application is complete when we receive your new passport from Australia.  Your passport will be delivered to you via DHL 1-2 working days afterwards. 

If you applied as part of a family group, your passport will be sent once all the passports are ready and all group members have received their automated email.