Passport Services

• You must first create an online account on the APO website and follow the prompts to generate and print the Overseas Passport Application form.
• You must print the application form use A4 size paper. You may need to adjust your printer settings (look for ‘Shrink to Fit’ or ‘Fit to Page’ settings) to ensure the top/bottom of the form is not cut off and the barcodes at the top of all pages prints correctly.
• You must print the passport application form ONE-SIDED. Passport application forms printed double-sided will be returned unprocessed.
• 5-page passport application form - Check that the 12-digit form number at the top right of the form is the same form number and that all 5 pages are provided.

APO password or troubleshooting:

We are unable to assist you with setting up your account, resetting your APO password or troubleshooting. Please visit the APO website for FAQ:

• Multi-Factor Authentication
• Website advice and troubleshooting guide
• Log-on issues - Try to make a new AusPassport account using a different email and your overseas phone number.
• Printing issues – Try to download and print the form using a different computer or web browser.

Paper passport application forms:

If required, we can send you a hardcopy adult renewal (1-page) form or the full (5-page) form by post. Contact our office by email for information.

• Carefully check that ALL sections are completed in full and signed before you lodge the passport application (including signatures for the guarantor, both parents and witnesses where required for child applications).
• Passport staff CANNOT witness signatures on child passport application forms.
• Check there are no alterations to signatures or dates. We can't accept passport applications with whiteout or overwritten signatures and dates.
• If you make a mistake print and sign a new passport application form.

Two printed passport photos are required for all passport applications.

Check the Passport Photo Requirements and Camera Operator Guidelines as poor quality photos are the most common reason for the passport application being rejected or delayed.

In Switzerland most professional photographers do not use the acceptable printing process and/or photo paper quality required for Australian passports. We recommend that you also request and provide an unedited (raw) digital image of your photo.

Top 10 reasons passport photos are rejected:

• Poor Print Quality - Usually caused when the photo was printed using an inkjet printer (must print using a thermal process of dye sublimation) or the photo was printed using matte photo paper (must print using heavy-weight, glossy colour photo paper - 200 gsm minimum).
• Blurry - Usually caused when the image was taken using 'Portrait Mode' which blurs the surrounds of the face impacting on overall image quality.
• Lighting/Brightness/Contrast – We require uniform (even) lighting across the face, no shadows or surface light reflections. Appropriate brightness & contrast to show natural skin tone. The edges of the face, head, and ears are visible against the background (no background flash).
• Distortion - This is due to the subject being too close to the camera. The distance between the eyes can appear wider, the nose appears wider, and ear appear tucked behind the head and/or not visible at all. The image must be taken at a minimum of 1.2m distance from the person.  
• Background & Facial Editing - The background was removed or lightened. Smoothing of the skin, the removal or editing of features including marks and creases on the face, and/or the addition of features to the image.
• Damaged Photos – Photos which contain numerous scratches or marks (ink or printing spots/lines).
• Expression – We require a neutral facial expression, which can be explained as a relaxed face with closed mouth, no smiling, no frowning, and eyes open.
• Pose - We require a neutral pose, looking directly at the camera. The head should not be tilted up to, or down to the camera. The head should not be turned, both ears need to be clearly visible.
• Glasses – Since July 2019 wearing glasses is no longer allowed in Australian passport photos.
• Old Photos – Photos which were provided in a previous passport application. Not recent, more than 6 months old.

Adult and child passport renewals which do not require an in-person appointment must be lodged by post.

If you don’t meet the below criteria, you’ll need to book an appointment to lodge the passport application in-person (see step 6).

Eligibility:

Adult Passport Renewal, you must be 18 years or older and your most recent passport:

• was issued when you were aged 16 or older
• was issued on or after 1 January 2006
• had, when it was issued, at least two years’ validity (not an emergency passport)
• has your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender, and
• has not been reported lost, stolen, or cancelled.

Child Passport Renewal applications can be lodged by post provided your child:

• is currently aged up to 15 years old; and
• has held a previous passport (even if expired).

How to lodge the passport application by post. Print the checklist below and follow the simple step-by-step instructions:

• Adult Renewal (1-page application form) - ADULT MAILED-IN CHECKLIST.
• Child Renewal (5-page application form) - CHILD RENEWAL BY MAIL CHECKLIST.

If you require a replacement passport due to minor damage or full visa pages, contact our office by email for information before lodging your application to check if you are eligible to renew by post or require an in-person appointment.

The following passport applications MUST be lodged in-person:

• Adult - First passport or replacing an old passport issued before 1 January 2006.
• Adult and child - Replacement passport due to full visa pages or minor damage. Contact our office by email for information.
• Child - First passport.
• Child - Renewal passport for a child aged 16 & 17 years.
• Adult and child - Name, gender or other change in your passport.
• Adult and child - Replace a seriously damaged, lost, stolen or emergency passport.

Who must attend the in-person appointment:

• All child first and/or emergency passport applications BOTH parents must lodge in-person, it does not matter whether the parent is an Australian citizen.
• All children aged 16 and 17 years MUST lodge in-person, together with one parent. Your child will receive an adult 10-year valid passport (not optional).
• All children aged 0-15 years are not required to attend the in-person appointment.

Incomplete passport applications will not be accepted and require a new in-person appointment to lodge.

Print the correct CHECKLIST below and carefully follow the step-by-step instructions to avoid common errors, including missing documents and signatures:

• Adult All Other In-person
• Adult Replacement due to full visa pages or minor damage – Contact our office by email for information.
• Replace a seriously damaged, lost, stolen or emergency passport - see 'Adult or Child All Other In-person' checklists.
• Child All Other In-person
• Name, gender or other change in your passport
• Concurrent passport – Contact our office by email for information.

Other important information and requirements:

• Approved guarantors (referee) for applications lodged in Switzerland - See relevant checklist for information.
• Original document located in Australia or another country? - See relevant checklist for information.
• B-11 General Declaration
• Citizenship
• Names and name changes
• Translation of foreign documents
• Parental responsibility and consent

The current waiting time for an appointment is 1-2 weeks. Please advise us if your travel is urgent.

Passport appointments in Geneva are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

To book an appointment send an email to: [email protected] (click this email link to auto-populate the below required information in your email).

In your email, you MUST include:

1. Subject line of your email: Last name, First Name – Passport Appointment.
2. Number of passports you are lodging at the same appointment (include the names, ages and most recent passport numbers).
3. Your contact phone number and email address.
4. Type of passport application (i.e., adult/child first, child aged 16/17 years, adult replacing an old passport issued before 01/01/2006, name/gender/other change, replace a passport due to full visa pages/damaged/lost or stolen/emergency passport).
5. First passport applications: Confirm you have received either the original Australian citizenship certificate or the confirmation email which mentions that citizenship was ‘Acquired’.
6. All child first and/or emergency passport applications: BOTH parents are required to attend the appointment. Provide the full names of both parents. Children aged 0-15 years are not required to attend. 
7. Children aged 16 & 17 years MUST attend the appointment. They will receive a 10-year valid passport, not optional.
8. Your preferred ‘days’ (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and ‘times’ (morning/afternoon).
9. Where you will be arriving from.
10. If you require an urgent appointment - Provide specific details of your urgency (e.g., evidence of confirmed travel plans).

Adult and child passport renewals which do not require an in-person appointment must be lodged by post (See step 4).

We provide Passport Services once a month in Bern and Zurich (places are limited) - the next passport appointments will take place in:

• ZURICH on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 between 9:00am and 2:30pm
• BERN on Wednesday, 2 April 2025 between 9:00am and 2:30pm
• BASEL on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 between 9:00am and 2:30pm

We only accept the following passport types that require an in-person appointment:

• Adult - First or replacing an old passport issued before 1 January 2006.
• Adult - Replacement passport due to full visa pages or minor damage. Contact our office by email for information.
• Child - First passport.
• Child  - Renewal passport for a child aged 16 & 17 years. They will receive an adult 10-year passport (not optional).
• Adult & child - Name, gender or other change in your passport.
• Adult & child - Replace a seriously damaged, lost, stolen or emergency passport.

We will not accept the following passport types which can be sent by post (see step 4):

• Adult renewal – excluding the passport types mentioned above.
• Child renewal – up to the age of 15 years.

To book an appointment send an email to: [email protected] (click this email link to auto-populate the below required information in your email).

In your email, you MUST include:

1. Subject line of your email: Last name, First Name – Passport Appointment in <Bern/Zurich>.
2. Number of passports you will lodge at the same appointment  (include the names, ages and most recent passport numbers for all applicants).
3. Type of passport application (see above accepted passport types).
4. Your contact phone number and email.
5. Full names of all persons attending the appointment: BOTH parents are required to attend the appointment for ALL child first and/or emergency passport applications.
6. Children aged 16/17 years must attend the appointment. They will receive a 10-year valid passport (not optional). Children aged 0-15 years are not required to attend.
7. Your preferred appointment location (Bern or Zurich) and time (between 9:00am to 2:30pm).
8. First passport applications: Confirm you have received either the original Australian citizenship certificate or the confirmation email which mentions that citizenship was ‘Acquired’.
9. IMPORTANT - Attached to your email you MUST send us a good quality PDF copy (not photo images using your phone) of the completed and signed application form and ALL the supporting documents listed on the checklist BEFORE we will book your appointment to ensure the application and documents are correct. Please provide a copy of both the front & back of all documents and certificates.

• You should allow a minimum of 6 weeks, although it may be faster, to receive your new passport.
• Priority processing is not available overseas.
• If you have urgent travel, please contact our office to discuss applying for an Emergency Passport (additional fee of AUD$ 259) to use while the new passport is being processed. The Emergency Passport can take up to 2 business days to process, it does not have a chip, has only four visa pages and will be issued with a validity of between 7-12 months (depending on your travel plans).

• DO NOT send us your current passport by post.
• Your current passport will remain valid for use while the new passport is being processed. Check with the countries you plan to visit/transit and the airline concerning passport validity and entry requirements.
• When ready the new passport will be sent to you by registered mail. We will only send your passport to a Swiss address (home, friend, work) or you can collect it in Geneva, by appointment only (you will be notified by email to make an appointment).

Please see the following websites for information on passport validity and entering and leaving Australia:

• Australian Border Force - Entering and leaving Australia – Crossing the border
• Australian Passport Office – Passport validity and foreign visas
• Smartraveller – Passport validity

Australians who hold dual or multiple nationalities should leave and enter Australia on their Australian passport. If you are an Australian dual national and have questions regarding entry and exit requirements for Australia please visit:

• Dual nationals leaving and returning to Australia. Which passport should you use? | Australian Passport Office
• Advice for dual nationals | Smartraveller
• Travel documents (abf.gov.au)
• Travelling as a dual citizen (homeaffairs.gov.au)

It is the responsibility of the passport holder to ensure their travel document is suitable for entry, transit, exit and for any ongoing travel including visa requirements and passport expiry dates.