Are you an Australian
with Greek heritage?
Are you an Australian
with Greek heritage?
Applying for Greek Citizenship from Australia
Are you an Australian with Greek heritage? Obtaining Greek citizenship can be a rewarding way to reconnect with your roots and gain access to the European Union. The process is more straightforward than you might think, and this guide will walk you through the steps, including eligibility, required documents, and other important details.
Who Can Apply?
Greek citizenship is primarily granted by descent. You may be eligible if:
- You were born to at least one Greek parent.
- You can prove your Greek ancestry with official documentation.
- Your birth and your parents’ marriage are registered in Greece.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, the Greek Consulate can assess your specific case.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process
Follow these steps to ensure your application is submitted correctly.
1. Determine Your Application Category
- Your parents' citizenship and marital status: Are both parents Greek citizens by birth? Is their marriage registered in Greece? The required documents vary significantly based on these factors.
- Your birth date: Specific rules apply to applicants born before May 8, 1984, or July 18, 1982, particularly concerning Greek mothers and fathers.
- Special circumstances: There are specific procedures for complex cases, such as those involving deceased parents, unregistered marriages, or parents who became citizens by descent themselves.
It is crucial to find the category that best fits your situation to gather the correct documents.
Finding Your Application Category
The documents you need for your Greek citizenship application depend on your specific situation. Review the categories below to find the one that applies to you.
2. Gather All Required Documents
After you determine your category, collect all the necessary documents. These will vary but typically include:
- Your birth certificate from Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
- Your Australian passport.
- Your parents' birth and marriage certificates (and potentially your own marriage certificate, if applicable).
- Your parents' Greek ID cards, Greek passports, or Australian passports.
3. Obtain Apostille Stamps
All official Australian documents (e.g., birth, death, and marriage certificates) must have an Apostille stamp. This stamp authenticates the document for use in another country. It is essential to get the Apostille stamp before you have your documents translated, as the stamp itself must be translated into Greek.
You can get an Apostille stamp by contacting the Australian government’s Notarial Services.
4. Translate Your Documents
All documents, including the Apostille stamp, that are not in Greek must be translated into Greek. The Greek authorities only accept translations from an authorized NAATI-certified Greek translator.
5. Submit Your Application
Once you have all your documents ready, you will need to:
- Complete the application form, which can be obtained from the Greek Consulate.
- Book an appointment with the relevant Greek Consulate or Embassy.
Which Application Category best describes your situation?
If Both of Your Parents are Greek Citizens:
- Category 1: Their marriage is registered in Greece. You only need your birth certificate and a valid Australian passport.
- Category 2: Their marriage is NOT registered in Greece. First, one of your parents must register their marriage at the Greek Consulate. They will need to provide their marriage certificate (both civil and church, if applicable) and their Greek or Australian IDs/passports. Once the marriage is registered, you can proceed with the documents listed in Category 1. If your parents are deceased and their marriage was never registered, see Category 11.
If your mother is the Greek citizen:
- Category 3 (born before 08/05/1984): Your parents' marriage must be registered in Greece. You will need your own birth and marriage certificates (if applicable), your parents' marriage certificates, and your Australian passport. All official Australian documents will need to be Apostilled and translated into Greek by an approved Greek translator.
- Category 4 (born before 08/05/1984) and marriage NOT registered: Your mother must first register her marriage at the Greek Consulate. She'll need her marriage certificate (civil and church, if applicable) and Greek or Australian IDs/passports. Once registered, you can apply using the documents from Category 3. If your mother is deceased and her marriage was never registered, see Category 11. All official Australian documents will need to be Apostilled and translated into Greek by an approved Greek translator.
- Category 5 (born after 08/05/1984) and marriage registered: You only need your birth certificate and a valid Australian passport.
- Category 6 (born after 08/05/1984) and marriage NOT registered: Your mother must first register her marriage at the Greek Consulate. Once that's done, you can submit your birth certificate and Australian passport.
If your father is the Greek citizen:
- Category 7 (born before 18/07/1982) and marriage registered: You will need your own birth and marriage certificates (if applicable), your parents' marriage certificates, and your Australian passport. All official Australian documents will need to be Apostilled and translated into Greek by an approved Greek translator.
- Category 8 (born before 18/07/1982) and marriage NOT registered: Your father must first register his marriage at the Greek Consulate. He'll need his marriage certificate (civil and church, if applicable) and Greek or Australian IDs/passports. Once registered, you can apply using the documents from Category 7. If your father is deceased and his marriage was never registered, see Category 11. All official Australian documents will need to be Apostilled and translated into Greek by an approved Greek translator.
- Category 9 (born after 18/07/1982) and marriage registered: You will need to provide the Greek Consulate or Embassy with your birth certificate and a valid Australian passport.
- Category 10 (born after 18/07/1982) and marriage NOT registered: Your father must first register his marriage at the Greek Consulate. Once that's done, you can submit your birth certificate and Australian passport to the Greek Consulate or Embassy. All official Australian documents will need to be Apostilled and translated into Greek by an approved Greek translator.
If You Have Special Circumstances:
Category 11: Special Application Cases. This applies to complex situations such as:
- Deceased Greek parents whose records are closed.
- A deceased Greek parent who never registered their marriage.
- Parents who became Greek citizens by descent after you were born.
- Applicants born outside of wedlock to a Greek parent.
For these cases, the process is more complex and may require naturalization. It is highly recommended that you contact the Greek Consulate directly to discuss your specific situation.
Category 12: Only Grandparents are Greek Citizens. In most cases, your Greek-descended parent must acquire citizenship first. If that parent is deceased, you may need to go through naturalization procedures.
Finding the Right Greek Consulate
The Greek Consulate that handles your application depends on the Australian state in which you were born, not where you currently live. The following consulates serve these jurisdictions:
- Sydney: NSW (excluding Newcastle and Maitland)
- Newcastle: Newcastle and Maitland
- Melbourne: Victoria
- Adelaide: South Australia
- Perth: Western Australia
- Brisbane: Queensland
- Hobart: Tasmania
- Darwin: Northern Territory
Important Notes
- Processing times: The time it takes to process your application can vary greatly depending on your category and the complexity of your case.
- Additional documents: Be prepared to provide additional documentation if requested during the process.
- Fees: Stamp duty fees apply to all applications.