Passport Orders (Children)

Child Passport Orders Overview

Passport orders are Court-approved permissions that allow children to obtain or renew Australian passports when both parents cannot provide consent. Under Australian law, both parents who hold parental responsibility must agree to a child’s passport application. When this consent cannot be obtained due to separation, disagreement, or one parent being unavailable, a Court order for passport becomes necessary to proceed with the application.

The Australian Passport Office requires specific documentation when parents are separated, including evidence of sole parental responsibility or Court orders permitting passport issuance. Passport orders can be temporary, allowing single-trip travel, or ongoing, permitting multiple journeys within specified timeframes and destinations.

Courts consider various factors when granting passport orders, including:

• Purpose of travel
• Proposed destinations
• Duration of travel
• Existing parenting plans
• Risk of the child not returning to Australia

The child’s best interests remain paramount, with Courts examining whether proposed travel serves educational, cultural, family, or health benefits while ensuring appropriate safeguards protect ongoing relationships with both parents.

Passport orders often include specific conditions such as requiring detailed travel itineraries, posting security bonds, surrendering passports between trips, or providing regular contact with the non-travelling parent during overseas stays.