ශ්රී ලංකා ප්රජාතාන්ත්රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජයේ මහ කොමසාරිස් කාර්යාලය, කැන්බරා, ඕස්ට්රේලියාව
இலங்கை ஜனநாயக சோஷலிசக் குடியரசின் உயர்ஸ்தானிகராலயம், கன்பரா, ஆஸ்திரேலியா
The High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Canberra, Australia
Application for a New Sri Lankan Passport
Minor Applicant – Age Under 16
1. Eligibility
A child below the age of 16 years may apply for a new Sri Lankan passport if he or she is a bona fide Sri Lankan citizen by descent or by registration.
2. Passport Validity
A minor passport is generally valid for 03 years, unless otherwise specified.
3. Where to Apply
Applicants must submit the application to the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission responsible for their place of residence.
| Respective Area | Office and Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Western Australia (WA), Northern Territory (NT), Australian Capital Territory ( ACT), New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD) | Sri Lanka High Commission 61 Hampton Circuit, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia Tel: 02-6198-3756 Fax: 02-6198-3760 Email: slhc.canberra@mfa.gov.lk Website: |
| Victoria (VIC), South Australia (, Tasmania | Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne Suites 9.02, 432, St'Klida Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia Tel: +61 3 9290 4200 Fax: +61 3 9867 4873 Email: mail@slcgmel.org Website: www.slcgmel.org |
4. Who Can Apply
Holder of Permanent Residence (PR) Certificate OR valid visa for the country as appropriate (Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Samoa). Sri Lankan citizens who have applied for, and gained, refugee or asylum status in Australia are not entitled to a Sri Lankan passport, in accordance with Sri Lankan Immigration Laws. However, they are eligible to apply for temporary travel documents for the sole purpose of returning to Sri Lanka.
Note: Individuals holding citizenship in two or more other countries in addition to Sri Lankan dual citizenship are not eligible to apply for a Sri Lankan passport. Those with dual citizenship must maintain the citizenship of the country specified on their Sri Lankan dual citizenship certificate at the time it was granted. If you obtain citizenship in a third country after being granted dual citizenship in Sri Lanka, your Sri Lankan dual citizenship will be automatically revoked.
5. When to Apply
A new passport may be applied for in the following situations:
| Situation |
|---|
| Existing passport has expired |
| Passport pages are exhausted |
| Passport is physically damaged |
| Passport is required for a newborn baby |
| Passport is due to expire soon |
(In the case of a lost or stolen passport, a different application procedure will apply. Please see Lost or Stolen Passport Application section (CBR003)
If you are applying for a New Passport prior to one year or more before the expiry date of the current passport, you must provide a letter with the reason.
6. Processing Time
The issuing authority is the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka Colombo.
Therefore, the processing time for new passports by the Immigration Department typically is more than 8 weeks. Processing times vary based on volume, complexity and completeness of applications.
The High Commission will forward completed applications to the Department of Immigration in Sri Lanka.
The High Commission cannot guarantee the issuance of passport within a specific time period.
Document Checklist
Submitting forged birth certificates, false documents, or false declarations about citizenship status is an offence. Such cases may be reported to the relevant authorities, and fees will not be refunded.
Required Documents and Details
| Description | Further Details | |
| 1. | Application form | Minor Passport application form with 01 copy – Compulsory(Click here to get the Specimen)Note: Please read the instructions carefully and refer to the Specimen before filling out the application form |
| 2. | If the minor has a Current Passport | with 02 photocopies of the data page and alteration page– Compulsory |
| 3. | Original birth certificate | With 02 photocopies (Birth Certificates issued by the Registrar General, District Registrar, Divisional Registrar or consular birth certificate issued by Sri Lanka Overseas Missions) only.Photocopies certified by a third parties and translations will not be accepted by the Department of Immigration and Emigration Sri Lanka.) – Compulsory |
| 4. | Original Citizenship certificate (If the applicant was born outside Sri Lanka only) | with 02 photocopies, issued by the Citizenship Division of the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Sri Lanka– CompulsoryFor first-time passport applicants – a copy of the payment receipt for Citizenship (Sri Lankan citizenship applied and pending) registration.– Compulsory |
| 5. | Consent letter signed by both parents (Click here to get a sample of Consent Letter ) | A letter with a copy including signatures of both parents stating that they have no objection to issuing a separate passport to their child. (Written in English OR Sinhala OR Tamil) – Compulsory |
| 6. | Parents’ passport copies | 02 copies of each of both parents’ bio page of the passports,Alteration and Observation pages– Compulsory |
| 7. | Adopted children | The certificate of adoption, the court order, and a letter from the Commissioner of Probation and Child Care, Sri Lanka. – Compulsory |
| 8. | Australian Visa holders | “VEVO “[Visa Entitlement Verification Online] from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection in Australia. This certificate can be obtained free of charge from https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online This Certificate should be obtained less than a week prior to submitting the application. – CompulsoryNote – If you are on a Bridging visa, you must submit the Visa Acknowledgment from the Department of Home Affairs, which corresponds to the visa application you submitted. |
| 9. | If the applicant is a dual citizen | 02 photocopies of dual citizenship certificate and data page of foreign passport– Compulsory |
| 10. | If the applicant is a Newborn and still does not have a visa | 02 copies of recently obtained visa details of parents should be submitted (for further information check No.8 & No.9 ) – Compulsory |
| 11. | If the applicant desires to include his/her status as a student | A letter from the University/Institute/College/School [original] should be attached– Compulsory |
| 12. | If the applicant is a member of the Buddhist clergy | Certificate of Higher ordination (Upasampada Sahathikaya) in addition to the Birth Certificate– Compulsory |
| 13. | (If applicable) Original Death Certificates of Parent/s | if the death of a parent, with 02 copies of the death certificate – translations not accepted– Compulsory |
| 14. | (If applicable) Parents’ Original Divorce Certificate | with 02 copies of Divorce Certificate/ Court Decision along with the custodianship of the child – translations not accepted– Compulsory |
| 15. | Visa Holders in Countries other than Australia and New Zealand | 02 photocopies of the current visa page of his/her passport– Compulsory |
| 16. | Request letter with all contact details | Address, telephone number, and email address, enabling High Commission to contact applicant speedily. – Compulsory |
| 17. | Applicable fees | Within AustraliaAUD 184.00 ( Three years validity period)+ Postage AUD 10.00 = AUD 194.00 |
| Outside AustraliaAUD 184.00 ( Three years validity period)Applicant is responsible for arranged prepaid currier service to return documents. | ||
| 18. | Payment method | Minors’ passports are usually valid for 3 years. You can request a 10-year passport by paying the adult fee (AU$ 225) and submitting a letter from the parents accepting all responsibilities and acknowledging the implications. This letter must accompany the application.If the applicant physically visits the High Commission or Consulate offices, he/she can pay by Cash/ Card. Note: Personal or Company cheques will not be accepted. Please send your application by post to us. Then we will advise you the bank details via email.Important: If the applicant sends Money orders, Bank Draft or directly credit money into the High Commission or consulate bank accounts, without prior instructions, the responsibility lies with the applicant for any loss/shortage or delay. |
| 19. | Special Notes (Important) | In case of expired passports, an additional fee of AUD 5.00 will be added for each year from the date of expiry;Fees will not be refunded under any circumstance, after issuance of an official receipt;Translations will not be accepted as originals;All photocopies should be on A4 size paper;High Commission will attest the documents and return the originals to the applicant;If the applicant needs to send/receive documents (by express courier service or speed post etc) on an urgent basis, he/she must organise them independently.The High Commission is unable to take any responsibility for documents lost or delayed in the post/ courier. |
Fees
| Applicant Location | Fee |
|---|---|
| Within Australia | AUD 184.00 + AUD 10.00 postage = AUD 194.00 |
| Outside Australia | AUD 184.00. Applicant must arrange prepaid courier service for return documents. |
Payment Method
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Physical visit | Cash or card accepted |
| Postal application | Bank details will be advised by email |
| Not accepted | Personal or company cheques |
Applicants should not send money orders, bank drafts, or directly deposit money without prior instructions. Any loss, shortage, or delay will be the applicant’s responsibility.
Important Notes
| No. | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | For expired passports, an additional fee of AUD 5.00 will be charged for each year from the date of expiry. |
| 2 | Fees are non-refundable after issuing an official receipt. |
| 3 | Translations are not accepted as originals. |
| 4 | All photocopies must be on A4 size paper. |
| 5 | The High Commission will attest documents and return originals to the applicant. |
| 6 | Urgent courier or speed post must be arranged independently by the applicant. |
| 7 | The High Commission is not responsible for documents lost or delayed in post or courier. |
Who Can Certify Documents
The following persons may certify the required documents:
| Authorized Certifiers |
|---|
| Honorary Consul |
| Solicitor |
| Justice of Peace |
| Medical Practitioner / GP |
Services provided by Honorary Consuls are free of charge.
Important Tips to Avoid Delays
Name in Passport
The passport will be issued according to the name shown on the original Sri Lankan birth certificate, unless the name has been officially changed by the Registrar General in Sri Lanka under cage No. 13 of the birth certificate.
Name changes made overseas or names currently used in foreign documents will not be accepted.
Permanent Address
Provide the current Australian residential address with postcode and state.
Place of Birth
Mention only the state, country, or both.
Examples:
| Correct Format |
|---|
| Western Australia |
| Canberra, Australia |
| Queensland, Australia |
Do not mention the hospital name or any specific location.
Photograph Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of photos | 03 colour photographs |
| Size | 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm |
| Time period | Taken within the last 03 months |
| Face | Full front face |
| Visibility | Both ears and forehead must be clearly visible |
| Background | Light colour background |
| Not allowed | Spectacles or headdress |
Click here to get guidelines for Photo
Where to Affix Photographs
| Photo | Location |
|---|---|
| First photograph | Box on the upper right-hand side of the first page |
| Second photograph | Box on the left-hand side of the second page |
| Third photograph | Box on the right-hand side of the second page |
The third photograph must be attested by a Justice of Peace, Medical Officer, Solicitor, or Sri Lankan Consular Officer. The seal and signature must cross both the photograph and application form.
Signature and Declaration
Applicant’s Signature
The applicant’s signature must be placed inside both signature cages without touching the border.
For minors who cannot sign, parents may write part of the child’s name in the signature cages. (Parents must not place their signature or their name)
Declaration of Applicant
The applicant must complete and sign the declaration. If the applicant cannot sign, a parent may sign the declaration.