If you’re concerned your child could be issued a passport or travel document without your consent, you can request a child passport alert.
Child alerts warn the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to give special scrutiny to any passport application for the child.
It doesn’t guarantee we’ll refuse the child a passport. If the child is entitled to a passport by law, we may issue them a passport even if a child alert is in place.
A child alert won't stop your child from travelling if they already have, or are entitled to, an Australian or foreign travel document.
Requesting a child alert
To request a child alert, you must have parental responsibility for the child. This generally means you're a person listed on the child’s birth certificate or in a relevant court order.
Step 1: Get a Child Alert Request form
If you're in Australia, you can get a Child Alert Request form (PC9 form) from your nearest passport office or by contacting us.
If you're overseas, contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate(Opens in a new tab/window).
Step 2: Complete and sign the form
After you've completed and signed the form, you must include:
- a statement explaining why you’re requesting the alert
- copies of any court orders relating to your child.
Step 3: Lodge the form and documents
If you're in Australia, you can lodge the completed form and relevant documents by:
- taking it to your nearest passport office
- mailing it to Passport Operations (PC9), GPO Box 9807, in your capital city
- scanning and emailing it to the passport office in your capital city at:
If you're overseas, you can lodge the completed form and documentation by:
- taking it to your nearest Australian embassy or consulate(Opens in a new tab/window)
- scanning and emailing all documents to overseas.alerts@dfat.gov.au.
Include any attachments (in PDF or JPG format) if you’re scanning and emailing documents.
Child alert validity
A child alert not supported by a court order is valid for up to 12 months.
A court-ordered child alert is valid until the child turns 18 or legally marries, or as directed by the court, whichever comes first.
Taking a child overseas without consent
If you're concerned your child may be taken overseas without your consent, you can place them on the Family Law Watchlist(Opens in a new tab/window) while they're still in Australia. If the child is already overseas, you’ll need to contact police or border authorities in that country.
If you want to travel or live outside Australia with your child without the other parent’s consent, you should seek legal advice. If you take your child overseas without the consent of the other parent, this may be considered a criminal offence.
For more information, see the Attorney-General’s Department(Opens in a new tab/window).
Need help?
If you need help or advice with any part of the process, contact us.