Passport Services

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

Adult Passport Renewal - Eligibility:

• You are 18 years or older
• You were 16 years or older when your last passport was issued
• Your last passport was issued on or after 1 January 2006 (expired in 2016 or later)
• Your last passport was valid for two or more years
• You are not changing your name, date of birth, place of birth and gender
• Your last passport has not been reported lost, stolen, or cancelled.

 Child Passport Renewal - Eligibility:

• Your child is 15 years or younger
• Your child has previously been issued an ordinary Australian passport (full validity, can be expired)
• Your child is not changing their name, date of birth, place of birth or gender
• Your child’s passport has not been reported lost, stolen, or cancelled.

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

 

How to lodge the mailed-in renewal application:

Print the checklist (click link below) and follow the simple step-by-step instructions to correctly prepare your passport application:

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

Note: The checklist provides detailed information on how to prepare the application, where to send the application and includes the credit card authorisation form to pay the passport fee.

 

Replacement passport due to full visa pages:

Contact our office by email ([email protected]) before lodging your application to check if you are eligible to renew by mail or require an in-person appointment.

 

Urgent travel within the next 6 weeks (emergency passport)

Only permitted when applying for BOTH an emergency passport AND ordinary passport renewal (adult and child). If you require an emergency passport only, you must lodge in-person.

Note: You must show us evidence of the urgency, such as a confirmed flight booking or a letter from your employer confirming travel dates.

Contact our office by email ([email protected]) for information before lodging your application. Additional documents must be provided with the renewal application.

You must first create an online account (click link) on the APO website and answer the questions to complete, generate and print the passport application form.

• Use A4 size paper to print the application form. 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. Compare the printed application form with the image on the screen.
• PRINT the passport application form ONE-SIDED. 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.

 

Which application form to use when lodging overseas:

We accept the below passport application forms. By answering the online questions, the system will automatically generate the correct application form for you to print.

• Australian Passport Renewal Application – 1-page form to use for an adult mailed-in renewal, replacement due to full visa pages or minor damage.
• Overseas Passport Application – 5-page form to use for all adult in-person applications and all child applications (both in-person and mailed-in).

 

APO – Create an account, password reset or troubleshooting:

We are unable to assist you with setting up your account, resetting your APO password or troubleshooting.

• Visit the APO Help centre - AusPassport tech support page for detailed information.

This page will take you through the process of creating an AusPassport account, setting your password, setting up multi-factor authentication and managing your online passport application. It also covers troubleshooting advice and support for managing your account.

 

Hardcopy 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 ([email protected]) to request a hardcopy form.

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.
• The witness cannot be related to or living with a parent or the child - ask a friend, colleague or neighbour to be your witness.
• The witness can either be the same or different for both parents.
• 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, you must print and sign a new passport application form.

Two printed passport photos are required for all passport applications.

See the APO passport photo guidelines as poor quality photos are the most common reason for application being rejected or delayed.

• Watch this video for advice on getting a good passport photo and a few important dos and don'ts to keep in mind.
• Passport photo requirements and examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos. 

 

Passport photo quality in Switzerland:

In Switzerland most professional photographers do not use the Australian standard acceptable printing process of dye sublimation (they use an inkjet printer which is not acceptable quality) and/or the photos are not printed using heavy-weight, glossy colour photo paper (200 gsm minimum).

We strongly recommend that you also request an unedited (raw) digital image of your photo to send to us by email ([email protected]) prior to lodging your application.

 

Top 10 reasons passport photos are rejected:

• Poor Print Quality – 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 – 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, paperclip 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.

The following passport applications MUST be lodged in-person:

Adult

• First Australian passport as an adult (18 and over)
• First adult passport, where your last one was issued when you were aged 15 years or younger
• New passport to replace a lost, stolen or seriously damaged passport
• New passport to replace an emergency passport
• New passport due to name, gender or other change
• Renewing a passport that expired before 2016

Child

• First Australian passport
• Renewal passport for a child aged 16 & 17 years
• New passport due to name, gender or other change
• New passport to replace a lost, stolen or seriously damaged passport
• New passport to replace an emergency passport

For a replacement passport due to minor damage or full visa pages - Contact our office by email ([email protected]) before lodging your application to check if you are eligible to renew by post or require an in-person appointment. For a damaged passport kindly provide a scan of the passport showing the damage.

 

Who must attend the in-person appointment:

Adult applicants aged 18 years or older.

Child applications:

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

Incomplete passport applications, including missing signatures and documents, will not be accepted and require a new in-person appointment to lodge.

Print the correct CHECKLIST (click link 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 the checklist for information.
• Original document located in Australia or another country? - See the checklist for information.
• B-11 General Declaration
• Australian citizenship - Proving your citizenship
• Change of name or gender
• Translation of foreign documents -  See the checklist for information.
• Parental 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).

 

Note: Adult and child passport renewals which do not require an in-person appointment must be lodged by mail (See step 1).

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, 1 October 2025 between 9:00am and 2:00pm
• BERN on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 between 9:00am and 2:30pm
• BERN on Wednesday, 3 December 2025 between 9:00am and 2:30pm

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

• Adult - First adult passport 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.
• Adult & child - Emergency passport only.

We will not accept the following passport types which can be sent by post (see step 1):

• Adult renewal – excluding the passport types mentioned above.
• Child renewal – up to and including 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.

 

Note: Adult and child passport renewals which do not require an in-person appointment must be lodged by mail (See step 1).

Passport processing times:

• 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 planned during this time, please contact our office to discuss applying for an Emergency Passport to use while the new passport is being processed . The same passport application form and photos will be used to process both passports. Additional fee of AUD$ 259 for the emergency passport. You must be able to show us evidence of the urgency, such as a confirmed flight booking or letter from your employer.

 

Emergency passport processing times:

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).

Check with any country you plan to enter or transit and the airline concerning passport validity and entry requirements. 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.

• Emergency passports
• Smartraveller

 

• DO NOT send us your (or your child’s) current passport by post with the passport renewal application.
• The current passport will remain valid for use while the new passport is being processed. We will not cancel the current passport until the new passport is ready.

 

 

Receiving your new passport:

• Sent to you by registered mail (Swiss address only) - The old passport will automatically cancel in our system 30 days after we have sent you the new passport. You will receive an email notification when the new passport is activated and sent to you. Once sent, your passport should arrive in about 2-3 business days.

• Collect in-person (by appointment only) - You will receive an email notification when the new passport is ready to arrange an in-person appointment to collect. The old passport will be cancelled and the new passport activated at the appointment. The current passport will remain valid for use while the new passport is being processed. We will not cancel the current passport until the new passport is ready.

 

Using your expiring passport:

Check with any country you plan to enter or transit and the airline concerning passport validity and entry requirements. 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.

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
• Smartraveller – Passport validity

 

Australians who hold dual or multiple nationalities should leave and enter Australia using their Australian passport. Australian nationals are not eligible to receive a visa in their foreign passport.

If you are an Australian dual national and have questions regarding entry and exit requirements for Australia, please visit:

• Smartraveller - Advice for dual nationals
• Australian Border Force - Travel documents
• Department of Home Affairs - Travelling as a dual citizen