Australian Passport Renewal in the USA: Application, Fees and Photo Requirements
Australian citizens can renew or replace a passport while living or travelling in the United States. This guide explains the correct application route, required documents, current fees, processing time, office locations and photo rules.
Table of contents
- Can You Renew an Australian Passport in the USA?
- Australian Passport Renewal by Mail or in Person
- How to Renew an Australian Passport in the USA
- Documents Required for Australian Passport Renewal
- Where to Apply for an Australian Passport in the USA
- Australian Passport Photo Requirements
- Get an Australian Passport Photo Online
- How to Print Australian Passport Photos in the USA
- Australian Passport Renewal Fees in the USA
- Processing, Urgent Travel and Delivery
- Australian Passport Renewal Checklist
- Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Renew an Australian Passport in the USA?
Yes. An Australian citizen in the United States can apply for a new passport through the Australian Embassy or an Australian passport office. The correct form and submission method depend on the applicant's age, previous passport and circumstances.
A Green Card or long-term US visa is not required to renew an Australian passport in the United States. Australian citizens visiting under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) may also apply. The US authorization is called ESTA, not ETA. The Australian mission's instructions specifically cover applicants who are passing through the United States as tourists: they should use their regular overseas address rather than a temporary US address.
Passport renewal and US immigration status are separate matters. A new Australian passport does not extend an ESTA admission period, a US visa or any other permission to remain in the country. Applicants must continue to comply with their authorized US stay and should contact US immigration authorities if their status or departure deadline is uncertain. They should also allow for the passport processing period before making travel plans.
Who Can Use the PC7 Adult Renewal Form?
The PC7 Adult Renewal Form is the one-page, streamlined Australian Passport Renewal Application for eligible adults whose previous passport record can be used to issue a new passport with the same personal details. It is generated after the applicant completes the eligibility questions in the AusPassport application portal, rather than downloaded as a blank form. In the United States, a PC7 application can be lodged by mail or in person and does not require a guarantor.
PC7 is not used for a first passport, a child passport, a lost or stolen passport, or a renewal involving a change of personal details. An adult can normally use it if all of these conditions apply:
- The applicant is at least 18 years old.
- Their most recent Australian passport was issued when they were at least 16.
- That passport was valid for more than two years when issued.
- It was issued on or after 1 January 2006.
- It has not been reported lost or stolen.
- The applicant is not changing the personal details shown in the passport.
- The applicant can answer the security questions in the online application portal.
Eligible PC7 applicants may lodge their application by mail or in person.
When Is the PC8 Overseas Application Required?
The five-page Application for an Australian Passport Overseas, known as PC8, is required in situations including:
- Applying for a first Australian passport
- Applying for a first adult passport when the previous passport was issued at age 15 or younger
- Replacing a lost or stolen passport
- Changing the name or other personal details shown in the passport
- Applying for the first passport after resuming Australian citizenship
- Replacing an emergency, temporary or other limited-validity passport
- Applying when the previous passport was issued before 1 January 2006
- Being unable to answer the PC7 security questions
- Applying for any child under 18
Most adult PC8 applications must be lodged in person.
Australian Passport Applications for Children
All applicants under 18 use the PC8 form, including children who have held an Australian passport before. Most renewal applications for children aged 15 or younger can be lodged by mail, subject to the instructions issued for the child's circumstances.
A first passport application for a child aged 15 or younger must be lodged in person by at least one parent, although the child normally does not have to attend. An applicant aged 16 or 17 must attend in person with at least one parent, even when replacing a previous Australian passport.
Child applications generally require parental consent, witnessed signatures and a guarantor. The Australian mission's current passport application guidance explains which applications may be mailed and which require an appointment.
Australian Passport Renewal by Mail or in Person
The submission route can be summarized as follows:
| Application type | By mail | In person |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible adult PC7 renewal | Yes | Yes |
| Most renewals for children aged 15 or younger | Yes | Where required |
| First adult passport | No | Yes |
| Adult PC8 application | No | Yes |
| Application for a 16- or 17-year-old | No | Yes |
| Lost-passport replacement | No | Yes |
| Replacement of an emergency or temporary passport | No | Yes |
A mail application must be sent to the passport office responsible for the applicant's state or territory. An application sent to the wrong office may be returned.
How to Renew an Australian Passport in the USA
Step 1: Complete the Application Online
Create an account in the Australian Passport Office application portal and answer the eligibility questions. The portal will determine whether you should use PC7 or PC8. Blank forms are not available to download because each application form is generated for the applicant.
Select the option indicating that you will lodge the application overseas. A form intended for lodgement in Australia cannot be accepted by an Australian passport office in the United States.
Step 2: Print the Application Correctly
Print the generated form on US Letter, Legal or A4 paper. US Letter paper is smaller than A4, so use "Fit to Page" or "Shrink to Fit" if necessary. Compare the printout with the on-screen form and make sure the barcode, lower corners and the bottom of every page are visible.
Step 3: Sign and Date the Form
Sign the applicant declaration and use the Australian date format, DD/MM/YYYY. Do not use correction fluid or alter the signature or date.
For a child application, both parents should complete the consent sections when applicable. Each parent must sign before an independent witness who is not related to the parent or child and does not live at the same address. Passport office staff cannot act as the witness.
Step 4: Prepare Two Australian Passport Photos
Obtain two identical colour photos that meet the Australian dimensions, composition and printing standards. The photographs must be less than six months old. Check the detailed requirements below before submitting them because incorrect photographs can delay acceptance of the application.
Step 5: Collect the Required Documents
Follow the checklist generated with the application. PC7, PC8 and child applications have different document and endorsement requirements. Do not rely on a generic passport-renewal checklist if the application portal asks for additional evidence.
Step 6: Lodge the Application
Eligible PC7 adults and most eligible child renewals up to age 15 may apply by mail. All other applications must be lodged in person by appointment.
If genuine urgent travel is approaching, do not rely on a mail application. Contact the appropriate passport office and be prepared to provide evidence of the travel date.
Step 7: Pay the Fee and Arrange Delivery
Payment is taken when the application is lodged. A mail application must include the current Credit Card Authorisation Form. The passport office can arrange FedEx delivery, or the applicant can provide an approved prepaid return envelope that requires a signature.
Step 8: Track the Application
Once processing begins, use the Australian Passport Office application status tracker. The application reference can be found in the confirmation information. Courier tracking is used only after the finished passport has been dispatched.
Documents Required for Australian Passport Renewal
The correct documents depend on the application form and the applicant's circumstances.
PC7 Adult Renewal by Mail
A PC7 mail application kit normally includes:
- The completed PC7 application form
- A PC7 cover sheet
- Two compliant Australian passport photos
- The applicant's full name written on the back of one photo
- A completed Credit Card Authorisation Form
- A copy of booked travel, when relevant
- A B11 General Declaration when requesting delivery to a different address
- A B11 General Declaration and a copy of the passport photo page when the current passport is damaged
A PC7 renewal does not require a guarantor to endorse a photo. Do not attach the photos to the form. Do not mail the current passport or other original documents unless the passport office specifically requests them.
PC8 Adult Application
An adult lodging PC8 should prepare:
- The completed and printed PC8 application
- The current or previous Australian passport, where applicable
- Original identity and Australian citizenship documents listed on the form
- Two compliant photos, including the required guarantor endorsement
- Supporting documents for a change of name or other personal details
- Information required for a lost or stolen passport, where applicable
- An accepted payment card or signed payment authorisation
The applicant must bring the original documents requested for an in-person interview. If an original document is outside the United States, contact the lodging office for the official procedure instead of sending an ordinary photocopy.
Child Passport Application
A child application may require:
- The completed PC8 child application
- Evidence of the child's Australian citizenship and identity
- Two compliant photos, one endorsed by the guarantor
- Consent from each person with parental responsibility
- Copies of both parents' government-issued photo identification for an eligible mail application
- Proof of a parent's address if the identification does not show the current residential address
- Relevant court orders or additional consent documents
- The required payment authorisation and delivery information
Follow the personalized form and the current child-application instructions. Adoption, surrogacy, court orders or missing parental consent can change the procedure and may require an interview.
Where to Apply for an Australian Passport in the USA
Australian passport services are available through offices in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
In-person applications require an appointment. Applicants may generally attend any passport office for an interview, but mail applications must be sent to the office allocated to the applicant's state or territory. Denver has limited interview capacity and does not accept mail applications.
The Australian mission also schedules occasional passport interview visits to other US cities. Check the official passport office locations and state jurisdictions for the correct mailing office, appointment link and any temporary outreach location. Do not mail an application to an office simply because it is geographically closest.
Australian Passport Photo Requirements
An Australian passport application lodged in the USA requires two good-quality colour prints. The photograph must meet Australian biometric standards as well as the physical printing rules.
Australian Passport Photo Size
| Requirement | Official specification |
|---|---|
| Printed photo width | 35-40 mm |
| Printed photo height | 45-50 mm |
| Chin-to-crown measurement | 32-36 mm |
| Number of photos | Two identical prints |
| Maximum photo age | Six months |
| Paper | Heavy-weight glossy paper, at least 200 gsm |
| Printing process | Dye sublimation, not inkjet |
The chin-to-crown measurement means the distance from the tip of the chin to the top of the skull, not to the top of the hair. The official Australian passport photo guidelines provide compliant and non-compliant examples.
Australian Versus US Passport Photo Size
A standard US passport photo is a 2 × 2-inch, or 51 × 51 mm, square. Australian passport photos use different proportions and a specific 32-36 mm chin-to-crown measurement.
A 2 × 2-inch physical print may be accepted if the portrait inside the square satisfies every Australian size, composition and quality requirement. However, a conventional US passport crop should not be assumed to comply. Leave the photos untrimmed because passport staff can trim them when necessary.
Australian Passport Photo Quality and Appearance
The two photographs must:
- Be sharp, clear and in focus
- Show natural skin tone and appropriate contrast
- Have a plain white or light-grey background that contrasts with the face
- Use uniform lighting across the face
- Show the applicant facing the camera directly
- Show the face centred, with its edges clearly visible
- Show open eyes and a neutral expression for anyone over three years old
- Be free from red-eye, marks, scratches, printing lines and pixels
The photos must not contain shadows, reflections, filters, skin smoothing, red-eye correction, digital makeup or other retouching. The background must not be digitally removed or replaced. Portrait mode should not be used if it blurs or alters the background or the outline of the applicant.
Glasses, Head Coverings and Accessories
Glasses must normally be removed. They may remain only when they cannot be removed for medical reasons. In that situation, the frames must not cover the eyes and the lenses must not create reflections.
A plain religious head covering is permitted if it is normally worn and the entire face remains visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead. Jewellery and piercings must not obscure the face or create reflections. Hearing aids may remain, but wireless earbuds must be removed.
Australian Passport Photos for Babies and Children
No other person, hand, toy or supporting object may appear in a child's passport photo. Children over three must face the camera with their eyes open and a neutral expression. A child under three may have their mouth open, but the photograph must still meet the background, lighting and print-quality requirements.
Get an Australian Passport Photo Online
Visafoto helps prepare an Australian passport photo without requiring you to calculate the print dimensions or chin-to-crown measurement yourself. Ask another person to take a clear picture of you with a phone or digital camera.
Upload the image to Visafoto and select Australia and the passport document type. Visafoto prepares the dimensions, crop, face position and printable layout for the selected format. Download the print-ready template and have it produced as high-resolution glossy dye-sublimation prints. Inspect the final prints carefully because the Australian Passport Office makes the acceptance decision.
Visafoto provides 24/7 support if you need help with the result. Its passport and visa photos have a 99.7% acceptance rate, and the service offers a 100% money-back guarantee if officials reject the photo.
Take a source photo like this one:
The prepared result includes an individual digital image and a printable template:
How to Print 35x45 Passport Photos in the USA
Australian passport offices in the United States require dye-sublimation printing and do not accept inkjet prints. The photographs must be printed at high resolution on heavy-weight glossy paper of at least 200 gsm.
The Australian mission warns that ordinary passport-photo services at US pharmacies, post offices and courier stores may not meet Australian lighting and print-quality standards. Before ordering, ask whether the provider uses a dye-sublimation printer and can preserve the required Australian portrait proportions without retouching the image.
If you start with a digital file, keep the JPEG in case a print is smudged or damaged and must be reproduced. Examine the prints in good light for ink spots, scratches, stripes, visible pixels and other defects. Do not use staples or paper clips and do not attach the photos to the application form. Place them in a small protective sleeve or envelope.
Read our passport photo printing guide for practical information about ordering a print-ready template and choosing a suitable printing service.
Australian Passport Renewal Fees in the USA
The following US-dollar fees apply from 1 September 2026:
| Service | Total fee in USD |
|---|---|
| Adult passport, 10-year validity | $430 |
| Passport for an applicant aged 16 or 17, 10-year validity | $362 |
| Child passport for ages 0-15, 5-year validity | $215 |
| Senior passport for age 75 or older, 5-year validity | $283 |
| Replacement passport, subject to eligibility | $186 |
| Emergency passport, subject to eligibility | $186 |
| FedEx delivery for up to three passports | $15 |
| FedEx delivery over 0.5 pounds | $20 |
The totals for ordinary adult, senior and child passports include the applicable overseas processing surcharge. Passport fees and exchange-rate-based US-dollar amounts can change, so check the official Australian passport fees in the USA shortly before lodging the application.
All US passport offices accept Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards. Some offices accept additional card types. Cash and cheques are not accepted. A person paying for somebody else may complete the official card-authorisation form. For a mail application, include that form as instructed.
How Long Does Australian Passport Renewal Take in the USA?
Allow at least six weeks after a complete application has been lodged and accepted. This period does not include time spent securing an appointment, correcting the form, providing replacement photos or waiting for courier delivery.
Overseas Australian passport applications are not eligible for the ordinary priority or fast-track processing available in Australia. Avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements until the passport has arrived.
Urgent Travel and Emergency Australian Passports
If you expect to travel within the next 7-10 days, do not rely on a mail application. Contact the passport office responsible for your area and provide evidence of the urgent travel date. An earlier interview or emergency passport may be considered depending on the circumstances, but this is not an expedited ordinary-passport service.
An emergency passport has limited validity and does not contain an electronic chip. It cannot be used to enter or transit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program with an Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA. Confirm the entry and transit rules for every country on the itinerary before relying on an emergency passport.
Receiving the New Australian Passport
The passport office normally returns a completed passport by FedEx. Up to three passports can be sent to one address for the standard FedEx fee if the shipment remains within the applicable weight limit.
Applicants may instead provide an approved prepaid letter-size return envelope, but the service must require a signature on delivery. The passport cannot be sent to a PO box or returned through the US Postal Service. Washington, Houston and New York do not accept prepaid UPS return envelopes.
Track the application through the Australian Passport Office status tracker. Once the passport has been dispatched, use the courier tracking details provided for the delivery.
Can You Renew an Expired Australian Passport in the USA?
Yes. An Australian passport does not have to remain valid for the holder to apply for a new one, and it can also be renewed before it expires. However, an expired passport does not automatically qualify for the one-page PC7 route.
PC7 eligibility depends on when the previous passport was issued, the applicant's age at issue, its original validity, whether it was lost or stolen, whether personal details are changing and whether the applicant can answer the online security questions. If the PC7 form is unavailable, the applicant must use PC8 and normally attend an in-person interview.
Australian Passport Renewal Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Renew My Australian Passport by Mail From the USA?
Yes, if you qualify for the one-page PC7 adult renewal form. Most eligible renewals for children aged 15 or younger can also be lodged by mail. Other PC8 applications require an in-person appointment.
Do I Need an Appointment to Renew an Australian Passport in the USA?
You need an appointment if your application must be lodged in person or if you choose to lodge an eligible PC7 application in person. A PC7 application sent by mail does not require an appointment.
Can I Use a Standard US 2 × 2-Inch Passport Photo?
Only when the portrait within the 2 × 2-inch print meets every Australian dimension, head-size, lighting and quality requirement. A standard US crop is not automatically acceptable. Leave the print untrimmed.
What Size Is an Australian Passport Photo in the USA?
The print must be 35-40 mm wide and 45-50 mm high. The face must measure 32-36 mm from the chin to the crown of the head.
Can Walgreens or CVS Take Australian Passport Photos?
The Australian mission in the United States says standard photos from common US pharmacies and similar stores may not meet Australian lighting and printing requirements. The provider must use high-resolution dye-sublimation printing, not inkjet, and the finished image must meet the Australian composition rules.
Do I Send My Current Passport With a PC7 Mail Application?
No. The current US instructions state that PC7 mail applicants should not send their current passport or other original documents unless requested by the passport office.
Can I Renew an Australian Passport Before It Expires?
Yes. Australia does not require applicants to wait until a passport expires. Renew early enough to allow at least six weeks after lodgement, plus any appointment and delivery time.
Is Priority Passport Processing Available Outside Australia?
No. Ordinary adult and child passport applications lodged overseas are not eligible for faster processing. Applicants with genuinely urgent travel should contact their passport office to discuss whether an emergency passport is appropriate.
How Do I Renew an Australian Passport for a Child in the USA?
Complete a PC8 child application online. Most renewals for children aged 15 or younger can be mailed, while first applications and all applications for 16- and 17-year-olds require an in-person lodgement. Follow the form's consent, witness, guarantor and document instructions.
Can I Travel While My Australian Passport Application Is Being Processed?
You may retain your current passport during an eligible PC7 mail application, but do not assume it will remain usable for the entire process. It may be cancelled as part of issuing the new passport. Contact the lodging office before making travel plans while an application is pending.
How Do I Track an Australian Passport Application?
Use the Australian Passport Office application status tracker after processing begins. Courier tracking becomes relevant only after the completed passport has been dispatched.
What Should I Do if My Australian Passport Is Lost or Stolen in the USA?
Report the passport lost or stolen through the official Australian passport process and contact the nearest Australian passport office if travel is urgent. A lost-passport replacement requires PC8 and must be lodged in person.
Last updated: 22 September 2026