Replace an Australian Citizenship Certificate: Form 119, Fee and Evidence

Updated September 2026. An Australian citizenship certificate is official evidence of citizenship. If it has been lost, destroyed or damaged, you can apply for replacement evidence of Australian citizenship.

For citizenship assistance, see our Australian Citizenship service.

When should you apply for replacement evidence?

You may need a new certificate if the original is lost, destroyed or damaged, or if you need formal evidence of citizenship and do not have an acceptable existing document.

What form is used?

The evidence-of-citizenship process uses Form 119 where a paper application is required. Many applicants can follow the Department’s online evidence-of-citizenship process.

What is the 2026 fee?

From 1 July 2026, the prescribed fee for an application for evidence of Australian citizenship is AUD 290, subject to any applicable exemption. Citizenship fees are indexed and should always be checked immediately before lodgement.

Natural disaster fee exemption

Home Affairs provides a fee exemption where a citizenship certificate was lost, destroyed or damaged because of a listed natural disaster and the replacement application is made within the specified 18-month period. Supporting evidence, including a statutory declaration, is required.

What if the certificate is wrong rather than lost?

If the certificate contains an error or your details have changed, the Department has a separate process for changing a citizenship certificate. Applicants may be required to return the old certificate.

What documents may be required?

• identity documents;
• current and previous passports;
• evidence of name changes where relevant;
• the damaged certificate if available;
• documents showing citizenship status; and
• additional evidence requested by Home Affairs.

Do not apply for a certificate if you are currently applying for citizenship

Home Affairs states that applicants who are applying to become citizens should not separately apply for evidence of citizenship merely to obtain a certificate. If the citizenship application is approved and citizenship is acquired, the certificate process follows that approval.

Official guidance

See Home Affairs’ Get a citizenship certificate guidance and current citizenship fee rules.

Need help resolving citizenship evidence problems?

Emigrate Lawyers can assist where identity, name history, citizenship status or inconsistent records complicate the evidence application. Contact our citizenship team.

This article is general information only and is not legal advice.

About the author

Madhab Kharel

Principal Lawyer & Director, Emigrate Lawyers

Madhab Kharel is the Principal Lawyer and Director of Emigrate Lawyers, an Australian law firm assisting clients across Australia and internationally. His migration law practice includes Partner Visas, Protection Visas, visa refusals and cancellations, Administrative Review Tribunal matters, health and character issues, Schedule 3, Section 48, sponsorship limitations and employer-sponsored migration. He regularly advises clients with complex immigration histories and matters requiring detailed legal submissions and evidence strategy.

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