Australian Citizenship By Descent
Mar 27th 2019, 4:11 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 5
Australian Citizenship By Descent
Hello
My Grandmother was Australian and moved to the UK in her 20s (during the 1950s). When she passed away in the 1980s, my mother applied for and was granted Australian Citizenship by Descent. She spent just over 2 years in Australia during the 1990s, not consecutively but over three trips.I have contacted an Australian Immigration Law firm who have confirmed that I am eligible to apply for Australian Citizenship by Descent because my mother held citizenship when I was born and lived in Australia for 2 years. The firm have offered to handle my application for a fee of $1000 (AUD). I still feel like my case is extremely weak and my chances are slim because I have next to no evidence of my mother living in Australia for those 2 years, the 2 years were not consecutive and this was all a long time ago.I have no idea of the likelihood of me receiving citizenship and just wanted to know whether this $1000 will be worth it. Will using a law firm make it much more likely I get citizenship? Could I just apply for this on my own? Please help!
My Grandmother was Australian and moved to the UK in her 20s (during the 1950s). When she passed away in the 1980s, my mother applied for and was granted Australian Citizenship by Descent. She spent just over 2 years in Australia during the 1990s, not consecutively but over three trips.I have contacted an Australian Immigration Law firm who have confirmed that I am eligible to apply for Australian Citizenship by Descent because my mother held citizenship when I was born and lived in Australia for 2 years. The firm have offered to handle my application for a fee of $1000 (AUD). I still feel like my case is extremely weak and my chances are slim because I have next to no evidence of my mother living in Australia for those 2 years, the 2 years were not consecutive and this was all a long time ago.I have no idea of the likelihood of me receiving citizenship and just wanted to know whether this $1000 will be worth it. Will using a law firm make it much more likely I get citizenship? Could I just apply for this on my own? Please help!
Mar 27th 2019, 6:18 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2018
Location: London and Brisbane
Posts: 181
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
It should be possible to confirm your mother's movements from 1990s.
You don't really need a "law firm" for this; rather a Registered Migration Agent will be able to assist you with the application if you feel that you need help. Having professional assistance will make sure that your application addresses all the required criteria properly, but in and of itself does not make a positive outcome more or less likely if the facts are properly presented.
You don't really need a "law firm" for this; rather a Registered Migration Agent will be able to assist you with the application if you feel that you need help. Having professional assistance will make sure that your application addresses all the required criteria properly, but in and of itself does not make a positive outcome more or less likely if the facts are properly presented.
Mar 27th 2019, 8:57 am
#3
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,193
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
Providing you are sure that your mother has spent enough time in Australia then your case is neither weak or slim - you are eligible. No need for lawyers or agents. DoHA will be able to calculate your mother’s movements - they have electronic records going back to 1981.
Mar 27th 2019, 11:17 pm
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 5
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
Providing you are sure that your mother has spent enough time in Australia then your case is neither weak or slim - you are eligible. No need for lawyers or agents. DoHA will be able to calculate your mother’s movements - they have electronic records going back to 1981.
Mar 27th 2019, 11:38 pm
#5
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,193
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
The Department of Home Affairs, or whatever they’re calling themselves this week. You don’t need to request them; they already have them on their system. Just make sure to include evidence of any change of names your mother may have had to help them find them.
Mar 28th 2019, 1:59 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2018
Location: London and Brisbane
Posts: 181
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
You need to request them using form 1359.
Mar 28th 2019, 9:30 pm
#8
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 5
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
It should be possible to confirm your mother's movements from 1990s.
You don't really need a "law firm" for this; rather a Registered Migration Agent will be able to assist you with the application if you feel that you need help. Having professional assistance will make sure that your application addresses all the required criteria properly, but in and of itself does not make a positive outcome more or less likely if the facts are properly presented.
You don't really need a "law firm" for this; rather a Registered Migration Agent will be able to assist you with the application if you feel that you need help. Having professional assistance will make sure that your application addresses all the required criteria properly, but in and of itself does not make a positive outcome more or less likely if the facts are properly presented.
Mar 29th 2019, 2:00 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2018
Location: London and Brisbane
Posts: 181
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
I can't comment on another firm's fees. The best way to get comfort would be to get a couple of quotes and compare.
Mar 29th 2019, 2:46 am
#11
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,193
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
I really recommend doing it yourself and save the money. $1000 is an insane amount of money to complete a simple form. Plenty of free expert advice is available on this forum if you require help.
Last edited by BritInParis; Mar 29th 2019 at 2:48 am.
Mar 29th 2019, 4:52 am
#12
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
I have to agree. There are many cases in which I would definitely recommend using an agent, more now than ever before, but this is not one of the, It should be a very easy process, Rememberring agents quotes I have had and seen in the past, no way would I part with $1000 for this!
May 31st 2019, 2:10 am
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 5
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
Hi All.
I just wanted to thank you all for your advice. I did not use a migration agent/law firm at all and my CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT APPLICATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED!!
Thanks for encouraging me to do it alone - you saved me a lot of money!
To anyone who may read this in future, YOU REALLY DON'T NEED TO PAY FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP. It is very straightforward. Please do message me if you ever have questions!
I just wanted to thank you all for your advice. I did not use a migration agent/law firm at all and my CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT APPLICATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED!!
Thanks for encouraging me to do it alone - you saved me a lot of money!
To anyone who may read this in future, YOU REALLY DON'T NEED TO PAY FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP. It is very straightforward. Please do message me if you ever have questions!
May 31st 2019, 2:26 am
#14
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,193
Re: Australian Citizenship By Descent
Hi All.
I just wanted to thank you all for your advice. I did not use a migration agent/law firm at all and my CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT APPLICATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED!!
Thanks for encouraging me to do it alone - you saved me a lot of money!
To anyone who may read this in future, YOU REALLY DON'T NEED TO PAY FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP. It is very straightforward. Please do message me if you ever have questions!
I just wanted to thank you all for your advice. I did not use a migration agent/law firm at all and my CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT APPLICATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED!!
Thanks for encouraging me to do it alone - you saved me a lot of money!
To anyone who may read this in future, YOU REALLY DON'T NEED TO PAY FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP. It is very straightforward. Please do message me if you ever have questions!
