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CONSULAR SERVICES
• American Citizen Services (Passports, Citizenship, Notarials, etc.)
• Visas and Immigration
• Cautions and Notices
• U.S. State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Topics:
Passports and Citizenship
Social Security and Federal Benefits
Income Tax
Customs
Other General Questions
PASSPORTS AND CITIZENSHIP
Q: My passport is still valid, but its pages are all fully stamped. Could I have extra pages added to it, or, should I apply for a new passport?
A: Yes, extra visa pages can be easily added to your passport. You are required to complete an application form and submit it with your passport to the Consulate General serving your consular district. No fee or new photographs are required (see Amending Your Passport). Alternatively, if your passport expires in the next few months, you may consider applying for a new passport. If you are a frequent traveler, you may request a 48-page passport in writing with your application at no extra cost.
Q: How soon should I renew my passport before it expires?
A: You may renew your passport any time before or after it expires. Because your passport is required to be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your stay when you travel to certain foreign countries, you may need to renew your passport before it expires. If your passport was issued 15 years or more prior to your application for a new passport, additional forms, supporting documents and fees may be required. Please click here for information and application forms.
Q: My passport has already expired. I do not wish to get a new one. Can my passport be extended?
A: No, if your passport was issued with full validity (i.e. 10 years for adults and five (5) years for minors), you must apply for a new passport. However, if your passport was issued with limited validity due to certain reasons (e.g. as a replacement for a lost/stolen passport), you may apply for extension without charges (unless otherwise stated on the endorsement printed in your passport). Contact the Consulate General serving your consular district for further information.
Q: Where can I obtain passport application forms?
A: All passport application forms can be obtained from the Consulate General serving your consular district, which will be sent to you upon request. Click here for information and application forms. Please read the conditions before printing the application.
Q: Do I submit my passport application to the passport offices in the U.S.?
A: No, you should submit your application to the Consulate General serving your consular district. Your application will then be forwarded to United States for issuance, which may generally require about 10 days to return your new passport to you, provided your application is all in order. You should include a prepaid self-addressed Registered Post or Express Post Platinum envelope for return of your passports and documents.
Q: Do I need to submit my passport application in person or may I submit it by mail?
A:You may submit your application by mail ONLY if you are eligible to use the APPLICATION FOR PASSPORT BY MAIL (form
DS-82). Click here to check the criteria. If you are applying for your first U.S. Passport and/or must complete an APPLICATION FOR PASSPORT/ REGISTRATION (form DS-11), you must submit your application in person at the Consulate General. Click here for locations and operation hours. However, the Consular Officer will request an interview in person with any applicant when deemed necessary.
Q: Will the passport I have to submit with my application be returned to me? What happens to the foreign visas in my old passport?
A: Yes, your old passport will be cancelled and returned to you with the new passport. You may have to re-apply for your foreign visas previously current in your old passport. Please contact the relevant foreign embassies or consulates for information. Click here for a list of Foreign Embassies in Australia.
Q: I want to apply for passports for my children, do I have to bring them to the Consulate General for their applications?
A: Yes, unless they are eligible to use the APPLICATION FOR PASSPORT BY MAIL (form DS-82) Click here to check criteria. Otherwise, they must use APPLICATION FOR PASSPORT/REGISTRATION (form DS-11) and sign their applications in the presence of the Consular Officer at the Consulate General. Click here for locations and operation hours.
Effective March 26, 2004, children under age 14 must appear in person with their parents to submit their applications, this includes application for first passport or renewal. Click here for further details.
Q: My passport was issued in my maiden name, can I change it to my married name?
A: Yes, your passport may be amended to read in your married name. An endorsement will be printed in one of the passport pages to reflect the change (see Amending Your Passport). If you were married in Australia, you are required to submit with your application a marriage certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The marriage certificate given to you by your marriage celebrant will not suffice.
Q: My child was born in Australia. How do I register my child as U.S. citizen, and obtain a U.S. passport and Social Security Number Card?
A: There are transmission of citizenship requirements to be met by the U.S. citizen parent(s) before a child could be documented as a U.S. citizen. (see Consular Report Of Birth Abroad). The application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad/Social Security Number (Form DS-2029/SS-5) is not available online and must be obtained from the Consulate General. You may submit this form and the passport application at the same time.
Q: My mother and I were born in Australia, my maternal grandfather is a U.S. citizen, can I obtain U.S. citizenship through him?
A: No, only U.S. citizen parent(s) may transmit citizenship to children, NOT grandparent(s). Therefore, you should first check whether your mother has derivative claim to U.S. citizenship through her father, then your possible claim to citizenship through your mother. (See Possible derivative claim to U.S. citizenship).
Q: My son was born in Australia, is he entitled to Australian citizenship? If yes, how does it affect his U.S. citizenship? Does he have to choose either citizenship when he turns age 18?
A: You should inquire at the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (telephone: 131881 or www.immi.gov.au) in regards to your son’s possible claim to Australian citizenship. Generally, a child born in Australia on or after August 20, 1986, is an Australian citizen provided at least one of the parents is an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of the child’s birth. If your son does acquire Australian citizenship by birth, it does not affect his U.S. citizenship. See the U.S. policy on dual nationality.
Q: What is the U.S. policy on dual nationality?
A: See the U.S. policy on dual nationality.
SOCIAL SECURITY & FEDERAL BENEFITS
Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov
Veteran Affairs: www.va.gov
Q: How do I apply for a Social Security Number?
A: You may contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the Consulate General in your consular district to request the application form and instructions. You may also download the form SS-5 here.
Q: I’m 62, retired and want to apply for my Social Security retirement benefits. How do I do it?
A: You may contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the Consulate General in your consular district to request the initial claims questionnaire or obtain the information from the Consulate’s website at
http://usembassy-australia.state.gov/consular/socsec.html.
Upon completion, the questionnaire may be either faxed to the Consulate General in your consular district or to the Social Security Regional Office at the American Embassy, Manila at 0011-632-522-1514. For more information, consult www.ssa.gov
Q: How do I change my name on my social security card?
A: You may change your name on your social security by completing application form SS-5 available here and submit it with original name change documents, e.g. marriage certificate or current passport showing the old and new names to the Consulate General in your consular district.
Q: I need to change my address on my social security record, what form do I need?
A: No form required. Just send in your written request to the Federal Benefits Unit at the Consulate General serving your consular district with your full name, correct address and your social security number. Alternatively, you may contact Social Security in the U.S. on 0011-1800-772-1213 and report your change of address.
Q: Can I have my checks paid by direct deposit to my Australian Bank?
A: Yes, direct deposit to your Australian bank is available. You may contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the Consulate General serving your consular district and request the appropriate form.
Q: How can I have my social security payments paid to my U.S. bank?
A: You may have your payments paid by direct deposit to your U.S. Bank by completing a form SSA-1199. Click here to download the form.
Q: I need proof of what I receive from Social Security. What form can I use?
A: You may request a personal earnings and benefit estimate statement (PEBES) by completing form SSA-7004. Click here to download the form.
Q: I would like to apply for Veteran Affairs benefits. How do I do it?
A: You may complete the VA form 21-526 which may be obtained from the Consulate General serving your consular district or you may download the form and instructions from the Veteran Affairs website at www.va.gov
Q: I would like to change my address for receipt of my monthly Veterans benefits. What form should I complete?
A: You may submit your request in writing to the Federal Benefits Unit at the Consulate General serving your consular district.
Q: Upon my death, will my spouse be paid a benefit?
A: Your surviving spouse may be entitled to receive a payment. Further information concerning surviving spouse entitlement may be obtained from www.va.gov for veterans benefits, or www.ssa.gov for Social Security benefits.
U.S. INCOME TAX
U.S. Internal Revenue Service: www.irs.ustreas.gov
Q: I need tax forms, how do I obtain them?
A: You may download the forms from the IRS website www.irs.ustreas.gov. Alternatively, you may contact the Consulate General serving your consular district to obtain the necessary forms.
Q: What is an Individual Tax Identification Number? How do I apply for it?
A: An Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) is used by persons who are NOT U.S. citizens/nationals or permanent residents (they have Social Security Numbers). You may apply for an ITIN by completing a W-7 form and attaching a certified copy of your identification, e.g. current passport. Click here to download the form. For further information, please contact sydneyacs@state.gov
GENERAL
Q: How do I obtain a certified copy of my U.S. birth certificate?
A: You may obtain information on how to obtain a U.S. birth/marriage/divorce/death certificates by consulting www.vitalchek.com, or U.S. CDC National Center for Health Statistics
Q. How do I get a copy of my Australian birth/death/marriage certificate?
A. Contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in the state or territory where the event took place.
Births, deaths & marriages registrars of Australasia
Q: I am currently outside the U.S., how do I register to vote, and where can I obtain an absentee ballot?
A: You may obtain information on how to vote by checking the Federal Voting Assistance Program at www.fvap.gov. Alternatively, you may contact the Consulate General serving your consular district to obtain the necessary voting forms and information.
Q: I am currently residing in Australia and my U.S. driver’s license has expired. What do I do to renew it?
A: The Embassy and Consulates in Australia cannot assist with the renewal of your U.S. driver’s license. You should contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in the U.S. where your license was issued.
Q: I wish to extend my stay in Australia, what do I do to extend my Australian tourist/student/resident visa?
A: Contact the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) at telephone: 131881, or www.immi.gov.au.
Q: How do I obtain up-to-date travel warnings/public announcements about the countries I will be traveling to?
A: The Department of State has current lists of travel warnings/public announcements at www.travel.state.gov
Q. How do I locate friends/relatives in the United States?
Consult Locating Relatives and Friends in the United States.
Q. How do I join the U.S. military forces?
A. Consult Joining the US Military.
CUSTOMS INQUIRIES
U.S. Customs Service: www.customs.ustreas.gov
Q: I am an American citizen returning to the U.S. What is the maximum amount of duty free items I may take back to the U.S. with me?
A: Consult the “Know before you go – customs regulations for U.S. residents” at www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import
Q: I am an Australian citizen traveling to the U.S. What is my personal exemption?
A: Consult the “Tips for visitors – customs regulations for visitors to the U.S.” at www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import
Q. Will I have a problem taking my medication into the U.S?
A. Consult
www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import
Q. How much alcoholic beverages may I take with me to the United States?
A: Consult www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import
Q: What are the requirements for taking my pet to U.S.?
A: Consult www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import
Q: I am an Australian citizen planning a driving holiday in the U.S. for a few months, I wish to buy a car upon arrival there. How do I register and insure the vehicle?
A: Consult www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel
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