Parents, at least one a Sri Lankan citizen at the time of the birth, register a child born in Australia with the mission and apply for the child's Sri Lankan citizenship at the same time. The citizenship certificate lapses at age 21 unless the child chooses to retain it.
Where to apply in Australia
Sri Lanka High Commission, Yarralumla (Canberra, ACT) for ACT, NSW, QLD, WA and NT (and NZ and Pacific states); Sri Lanka Consulate-General, Melbourne for VIC, SA and TAS. Honorary consulates (Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth) are used to certify documents for postal applications.
Canberra counter hours Mon-Thu 9:30-13:00 (appointment by email or canberra.embassyonline.lk); Melbourne has its own booking links (consular hours Mon-Fri 9:15-13:45). Postal applicants get bank details by email after sending the file. The death-registration page also lists a Consulate-General in Sydney (NSW and QLD) whereas the other pages route NSW and QLD to Canberra.
Contact details for every office are on the page of the embassy and consulates of Sri Lanka.
How to apply
Choose the form matching the child's age (under 3 months, 3-12 months, over 1 year) and complete it in duplicate with the citizenship application | submit with originals and two photocopies of each document | citizenship application goes to Colombo
Documents you need
- Child's local birth certificate
- Both parents' birth certificates
- Parents' marriage certificate
- Parents' passports and copies
- Proof of residence status (VEVO or visa pages)
- Statutory declaration by the Sri Lankan parent(s)
- Dual citizenship certificates if applicable
- Paternity affidavit if parents unmarried
- Covering letter
Fees and processing time
- Official fee: registration and birth certificate AUD 55.00; citizenship registration AUD 50.00; certified copy AUD 33.00
- Other charges: postage AUD 25.00 in Australia (AUD 60.00 outside); late registration AUD 12.00 per year after the first year; total AUD 163.00 in Australia
Good to know
Processing time not stated. Forms linked from October 2024 upload paths. Page shows no publication date (footer only '2026').
Official sources
Check before you apply
This page summarises information published by Sri Lanka's official channels, last checked on 24 octubre 2026. Fees and requirements can change at short notice, so confirm with the office that will handle your case.
Spotted a change? Let us know.
More services of Sri Lanka in Australia
- Certification and attestation of documents, powers of attorney and translations
- Driving licence services for Sri Lankans abroad
- Dual citizenship (resumption or retention)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and visas for Sri Lanka
- Emergency passport (NMRP) - one-way return to Sri Lanka
- Marriage notice and registration
- Passport - new or renewal (adult)
- Passport amendment - change of name
- Passport amendment - change of profession
- Passport for a minor (under 16)
- Passport replacement - lost or stolen
- Pensioners' life certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- Registration of a death abroad
- Repatriation of remains or ashes to Sri Lanka