Renewing an Australian passport in the U.S now
requires you submit the application form in person. Read on for some
general information on what to keep in mind should you need to renew an
Australian passport from the U.S
Where can you go to renew your Australian passport in the U.S?
There are numerous Australian consulates in the U.S. These are placed
in:
- Chicago
- Honolulu
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- New York
- San Francisco
The
Australian embassy
is located in Washington, DC. You may choose to visit any of the
consulates listed above to apply for a passport renewal. Only the
embassy in DC and the consulate in San Francisco accept walk-ins. All
other locations require an appointment. You will find contact
information and links to the appointment system
here.
Firstly, keep in mind that you are only eligible to fill out this
specific application form (C7) if your current passport has been
expired for less than 3 years. If you bypass this period, you will have
to fill out a C8 application form which is for the issuing of a whole
brand new passport. You can
fill out your C7 online and then print, sign and post it. Otherwise, you can collect a C7 form at an actual consulate.
Required Documents for an Australizan Passport Renewal
You will need to take along the following supporting documents for the renewal of your passport.
- Your most recent passport
- Two passport photos that meet regulations
- Completed application form
- Correct payment for application. Remember that these fees are adjusted each month.
How to make sure your photos are compliant
Unacceptable photos are one of the main reasons that passport and
passport renewal applications are denied. If you follow a few simple
regulations, your photos will be perfectly compliant. Below are the
characteristics of correct photos:
- Photos must be at least 45mm high by 35mm wide
- Neutral facial expression with closed mouth and no smile
- Head size from top of forehead to chin should be 32mm by 36mm
- Applicant directly facing camera with eyes to camera
- Plain pale background, no shadows
Australian Passport Renewal Fees
Keep in mind that passport fees are adjusted at the beginning of each month. Please check the
fee schedule and payment methods before mailing your application form.
How to send your application and payment
The Australian consulates and embassy do not accept or send
passports via the U.S Postal service. You may include the cost for
Federal Express in your payment or include a return envelope by the
courier of your choice.
This ensures safe and efficient passport
services. Different consulates accept different forms of payment. All
accept cash in the exact change as well as payment via Visa or
Mastercard. None accept personal checks. See
here for individual consulate payment policies.
Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to renew an Australian passport
by mail. All applicants must lodge their applications in person no
matter how distant they are from the nearest consulate.