---
title: "Check consent before an Australian passport is sought for a child"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/check-consent-before-an-australian-passport-is-sought-for-a-child"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A16-CO20261022-12"
practice_area: "Family Law"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Check consent before an Australian passport is sought for a child

> List each person the file treats as having parental responsibility, and whether a written consent to the passport is on the file. Do not decide that a passport should issue, and do not write the application.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/check-consent-before-an-australian-passport-is-sought-for-a-child  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Family Law](https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | List each person the file treats as having parental responsibility, and whether a written consent to the passport is on the file. Do not decide that a passport should issue, and do not write the application. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer decides the next step. The court fact sheet says that before an Australian passport can be issued, the law requires the written consent of each person with parental responsibility. That is usually the parents, and may include grandparents or other relatives. If all of them consent in writing, the application can be lodged at an authorised Australia Post office or an Australian Passport Office. If they do not, a written request can be made to the Approved Senior Officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to consider special circumstances. The fact sheet says that if that request does not succeed, a court order permitting travel can be sought, and the court will permit international travel only if it is in the child's best interests. The passport office and the special-circumstances criteria were not opened. If the child has already left Australia without permission, the fact sheet says to contact the Attorney-General's Department on 1800 100 480. The lawyer writes any application and the evidence that must be filed with it. |
| Written for / versions | 1 jurisdiction versions below |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

The responsible lawyer checks each element against the source named for it.

- What the AI does: List each person the file treats as having parental responsibility, and whether a written consent to the passport is on the file. Do not decide that a passport should issue, and do not write the application.
- What the lawyer does: The lawyer decides the next step. The court fact sheet says that before an Australian passport can be issued, the law requires the written consent of each person with parental responsibility. That is usually the parents, and may include grandparents or other relatives. If all of them consent in writing, the application can be lodged at an authorised Australia Post office or an Australian Passport Office. If they do not, a written request can be made to the Approved Senior Officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to consider special circumstances. The fact sheet says that if that request does not succeed, a court order permitting travel can be sought, and the court will permit international travel only if it is in the child's best interests. The passport office and the special-circumstances criteria were not opened. If the child has already left Australia without permission, the fact sheet says to contact the Attorney-General's Department on 1800 100 480. The lawyer writes any application and the evidence that must be filed with it.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Practical workflow informed by the linked primary sources; the traffic light and working checks are editorial guidance, not a court or regulator classification.
- Why: The level reflects what the work is, the consequence of an error, and how much of the output the lawyer must independently re-derive.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. List every person the file treats as having parental responsibility, not only the parents.
2. Do not treat a special-circumstances request as granted. The fact sheet says a court order is the next step if it fails.
3. Do not write the passport application or the court evidence.

## Notes

- These are suggested working checks. Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts; the checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.

## Sources

- [Federal Circuit and Family Court, children and international travel after family separation](https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pubs/children-international-travel) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Jurisdiction versions

| Jurisdiction | Level |
| --- | --- |
| [United States](https://ailawframework.com/practice/family-law/check-consent-before-an-australian-passport-is-sought-for-a-child/united-states.md) | Yellow |

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*