Ginger1002

Hi,

My husband and I are sitting the test next week and I want to apply in person at the same time so am getting all my stuff together and I have a couple of questions.

From what I understand, my husband and I can bring all of our original docs with us and they will scan and use those for application. We don't need to get a photo endorsed as they will take one and use that (correct?). My first question is on the 'Proof of Identity' (Part E) part of the form. Do I still need to fill that part out and if so, will a JP be sufficient if I don't know anyone in a relevant profession (obviously JP hasn't known me for 12 months).

Also, I am including 2 children in the application. I understand that their photos needs to be endorsed and I need to complete Part E for them. Will a JP suffice again? Also, can I bring along just their original docs and they will be scanned or do I need to get them certified?

I am getting a bit confused as want to make sure that I have everything with me to lodge app. there and then......

Thanks in advance
Emma

JAJ

The instructions are quite clear:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1300t.pdf

"The proof of identity declaration IS NOT TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT, but by an Australian citizen who has known the applicant for at least 12 months and belongs to one of the professions or occupations listed on page 7 of form 1299i How to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral.

The signature must be in the same format as on the back of the photograph.
A proof of identity declaration must be made for ALL PEOPLE included in this application (including children).

Note: If the child is under 6 years of age the photograph may be endorsed and the declaration made by an Australian citizen who has known the child for less than 12 months and who belongs to one of the listed professions or occupations."

The list of acceptable professionals is long.

Proof of identity

People from the following list of professions and occupations can complete proof of identity declarations if they:
• are an Australian citizen; and
• are not related to the applicant by birth or marriage; and
• have known the applicant for at least 12 months; and
• are easily contactable by telephone during the day; and
• are currently employed in one of the professional or occupational groups listed below; and
• have endorsed the back of the applicant’s photograph(s).

1. Australian Consular Officer or Australian Diplomatic Officer (within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1955)
2. Bailiff
3. Bank officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
4. Building society officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
5. Chiropractor (licensed or registered)
6. Clerk of court
7. Commissioner for Affidavits
8. Commissioner for Declarations
9. Credit union officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
10. Dentist (licensed or registered)
11. Fellow of the National Tax Accountant’s Association
12. Finance company officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
13. Judge of a court
14. Justice of the peace
15. Legal practitioner (licensed or registered)
16. Magistrate
17. Marriage celebrant licensed or registered under Subdivision C of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961
18. Master of a court
19. Medical practitioner (licensed or registered)
20. Member of Chartered Secretaries Australia
21. Member of Engineers Australia, other than at the grade of student
22. Member of the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants
23. Member of the Australian Defence Force with 5 or more years of continuous service
24. Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants or the National Institute of Accountants
25. Member of the Parliament of the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory Legislature, or a local government authority of a State or Territory
26. Minister of religion licensed or registered under Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961
27. Nurse (licensed or registered)
28. Optometrist (licensed or registered)
29. Permanent employee of Commonwealth, State or local government authority with at least 5 or more years of continuous service
30. Permanent employee of the Australian Postal Corporation with 5 or more years of continuous service
31. Pharmacist (licensed or registered)
32. Physiotherapist (licensed or registered)
33. Police officer
34. Psychologist (licensed or registered)
35. Registrar, or Deputy Registrar, of a court
36. Sheriff
37. Teacher employed on a full-time basis at a school or tertiary education institution
38. Veterinary surgeon (licensed or registered).

Are you really saying you don't know anyone in any of the categories on this list?

iamthecreaturefromuranus

I often wonder about these lists of 'approved' people... just why is, for example, a Chiropractor consider more trustworthy than a mere IT specialist like me?.

moneypenny20

Most schools have at least one or two teachers who are JPs. Ask at your kids school.

Failing that, having had this discussion with various JPs over the past few years, providing you take along all documentation as well as your birth certificate, British passport and current driving licence, they will certify regardless of whether they know you or not. (They will round here anyway).

JAJ

Because the Australian Computer Society has either not asked, or not been successful, in being added to the list?

spottydog

A teacher doesn't need to be a JP to sign the form as long as they work full time (item 37 on the list)

SunshineGirl

We did our citizenship test last week and applied for citizenship immediately afterwards whilst we were still at the test centre. We did not need to have our photos endorsed as they take a picture of you there and as they have your birth certificate and passport, they do not need anyone else to prove the picture is of you.

We were slightly worried as I knew people on that list who could endorse my picture but hubby didn't. Anyway, we checked and they confirmed that, by applying in person, we did not need the endorsement nor did we need the UK police checks.

That was last Thursday afternoon. Our citizenship approval letters arrived Tuesday morning, dated the prior Thursday, even though they said it may take 2 weeks.

Applying in person immediately after the test is the best way to do it IMHO.

PM me if you wish.

kitty4

I take my test tomorrow. I wanted to apply straight after the test, but haven't yet managed to get someone to endorse my identification. In addition, after validating my visa, it took a tad over 12 months to sell the house in the UK and come back to Australia permanently. Having just read the penal clearances, it seems I will need to obtain UK police certificates. However, from what you say, this was not required when applying straight after the test (or were you lucky enough to be able to get to Australia permanently within 12 months of PR being granted)? Hope I'm making sense

moneypenny20

You need to apply for the UK PCC. Not too complicated but it helps if you still have a British cheque book. Either that or someone to send the form to so they can pay on your behalf.

kitty4

Thanks Moneypen

No problems with paying from a UK account. However, when we needed them for the visa application in the UK, we went to the local police station and arranged it. How do we do it from here?
Thanks

moneypenny20

Well I went to my old county headquarters website and got the form from there but now I believe it's a central thing - different form and more money. Assistant Police Chiefs site. I'll check. More expensive but comes back much quicker (still a rip off though).

Edit: Here you go - http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp

kitty4

Thanks again moneypen

SunshineGirl

Yes, that's what we were going to do until we realised we didn't need the checks. We got PR in July 2005 and validated in Nov 2005 and moved out in Sept 2006. So neither period was more than 12 months, thus no checks. They'll tell you during the interview if you need them or not, they had all our dates of entry and departure on the screens for the last 6 years!