Family Visa Document Checklist — documents that may need certified translation
Family applications turn on relationship proof and, in many streams, an enforceable commitment by the sponsor to support the applicant. The civil registry documents behind the relationship are the backbone of the file. Always check homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest requirements specific to your visa.
Important
This checklist is general guidance only. Not all documents listed will be required for every application. Requirements vary depending on your individual circumstances, the specific visa subclass, and the Department of Home Affairs' current requirements. Always verify the requirements at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging your application.
What decision-makers focus on in Family applications
Documented family link
Civil registry documents that connect each person in the chain carry more weight than declarations.
Genuine and continuing need
Dependency-based streams look for support and contact over years, not a recent arrangement.
Sponsor capacity
Where an Assurance of Support applies, the assurer's finances are assessed independently.
Timing and sequence cautions
- Some family streams have long queues — keep certified translations and civil documents current for later requests.
- Assurance of Support processing runs on its own timeline through Services Australia.
- Children turning 18 during processing can change the evidence required.
Common mistakes in Family files
- Relying on statutory declarations where a civil registry extract exists.
- Missing the non-migrating parent's consent for a child.
- Sponsor income evidence that does not match tax records.
- Household registers and civil extracts submitted untranslated.
Which Documents May Need NAATI-Certified Translation?
Family streams depend on civil registry documents — birth, marriage, death, adoption and household registers — that are almost always issued in the language of the issuing country. Certified English translations, with name spellings reconciled to the passport, are essential.
- Applicant's birth certificate naming both parents
- Sponsor's birth certificate or citizenship evidence
- Marriage certificate where the relationship runs through a marriage
- Adoption orders where relevant
- Family register or household registration extract
- Sponsor's income evidence and tax notices
- Sponsor's residential and employment evidence
- Evidence of financial support provided over time
- Medical evidence and treating practitioner reports for carer streams
- Evidence of who else could provide care in the home country
- Children's birth certificates
- Custody, guardianship or consent orders
- Consent from a non-migrating parent
- Police clearances for the applicant and adult dependants
- Court records for any disclosed matter
Trans Lingo provides NAATI-certified translations from $59 per page, delivered within 24 hours.
Save or Print This Checklist
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Related Guides
Family Visas overview
Full category guide and document list.
Subclass 103 — Parent
Non-contributory parent visa.
Subclass 143 — Contributory Parent
Contributory parent visa.
Birth Certificate Translation
NAATI-certified, from $59.
Frequently Asked Questions
This checklist is general guidance for documents commonly used in Family applications. Not every document will apply to every applicant. Always check homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest requirements.
Section A — Relationship to the sponsor
- Applicant's birth certificate naming both parentsTranslation required
- Sponsor's birth certificate or citizenship evidenceTranslation required
- Marriage certificate where the relationship runs through a marriageTranslation required
- Adoption orders where relevantTranslation required
- Family register or household registration extractTranslation required
Section B — Sponsor capacity and undertaking
- Sponsor's income evidence and tax noticesTranslation required
- Assurance of Support where the stream requires oneNot usually required
- Sponsor's residential and employment evidenceTranslation required
- Evidence of previous sponsorships, if anyNot usually required
Section C — Dependency and care
Central to remaining relative, carer and aged dependent streams.
- Evidence of financial support provided over timeTranslation required
- Medical evidence and treating practitioner reports for carer streamsTranslation required
- Evidence of who else could provide care in the home countryTranslation required
- Records of shared household or ongoing contactMay need translation
Section D — Children and custody
- Children's birth certificatesTranslation required
- Custody, guardianship or consent ordersTranslation required
- Consent from a non-migrating parentTranslation required
- School records where the child's circumstances are relevantMay need translation
Section E — Character and health
- Police clearances for the applicant and adult dependantsTranslation required
- Sponsor's Australian police check where requiredNot usually required
- Health examinations after referralNot usually required
- Court records for any disclosed matterTranslation required
This checklist is general guidance only and is not legal advice. Requirements vary by visa subclass and individual circumstances. Always verify the current requirements at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging your application.