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You can call us to prove who you are. We can give you a Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) and the information you need to claim a payment.
You’ll need to give us identity details from one document in each of these categories:
- a commencement document to show your birth or arrival in Australia
- a primary document to show the use of your identity in the community
- a secondary document to show the use of your identity in the community.
You can talk to us if you can’t provide some of these documents.
Before you can submit a claim for payment, you’ll need to give us an acceptable photo identity document in person. You need to bring this document to a service centre.
Commencement documents
| Current document | Details | Accepted Photo ID |
|---|---|---|
| Australian birth certificate | A full birth certificate in your name or former name issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages. We can’t accept birth extracts or birth cards. | No |
| Australian visa | A resident or tourist visa issued in your name or former name. | No |
| Australian citizenship certificate | Issued in your name or former name. If your name appears on your parents’ certificate, you can use that. | No |
| ImmiCard | A card issued in your name or former name by the Department of Home Affairs. | Yes |
| Australian passport | Issued in your name or former name, within 3 years of the expiry date. | Yes |
| Certificate of identity | Issued in your name or former name by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. | Yes |
| Document of identity | Issued in your name or former name by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. | Yes |
Births, deaths and marriages in your state or territory
Visit the births, deaths and marriages website in your state or territory for information about birth certificates and identity documents. These links will take you away from our site.
| State or territory | Resources |
|---|---|
| ACT | Births, relationships and deaths on the Access Canberra website. |
| NSW | Births, relationships and deaths on the Services NSW website. |
| NT | Births, deaths and marriages on NT.GOV.AU |
| Qld | Births, deaths, marriages and divorces on the Queensland Government website. |
| SA | Birth, deaths and marriages on SA.GOV.AU |
| Tas | Birth, deaths and marriages on the Tasmanian Government website. |
| Vic | Victoria births, deaths and marriages website. |
| WA | The Registry of births, deaths and marriages on WA.gov.au |
Primary documents
| Current document | Details | Accepted Photo ID |
|---|---|---|
| Australian driver licence | A driver licence with your photo issued in your name. This includes physical and digital driver licences, learner permits and provisional licences. | Yes |
| Australian marriage certificate | Issued by a state or territory government. We can’t accept ceremonial, church or celebrant issued certificates. | No |
| Foreign passport | A passport issued by another country, with a valid entry stamp or visa. | Yes |
| Proof of age card | Issued by a state or territory government in your name with your photo or signature. | Yes |
| Secondary student ID card | An ID card, issued in your name with your photo or signature. You can only use this if you're under 18 and don’t have any of the other documents. | Yes |
Secondary documents
| Current document | Details |
|---|---|
| Security licence | A security protection industry or crowd control licence. It must be in your name and show your photo or signature. |
| Shooter or firearm licence | A licence, issued in your name with your photo or signature. We can’t accept minor or junior permits or licences. |
| Bank or financial institution card, statement or passbook | Issued by a bank, credit union or building society. Cards Statements or passbooks must be, in your name. Your signature must be on the card and your current address on the statement or passbook. We can’t accept documents from foreign banks or institutions. |
| Child’s Australian birth certificate | Birth certificate with your name as a parent or guardian. |
| Australian Defence Force identity card | Issued by the Australian Defence Force and shows your name and photo or signature. |
| Australian divorce papers | In your name or former name. For example, a Decree Nisi or Decree Absolute. |
| Australian educational certificate | From a school, TAFE, university or Registered Training Organisation. This must be in your name or former name. |
| Certified Australian academic transcript | From a university in your name or former name. |
| Australian mortgage papers | For a property in your name or former name. These need to be legally drawn. |
| Name change | Legal change of name or deed poll certificate. |
| Veterans’ Affairs card | A card issued in your name. |
| Tenancy agreement or lease | A formal agreement or lease in your name and showing your address. |
| Motor vehicle registration | Registration papers with your name, address and proof of payment. |
| Documents issued by foreign governments | Foreign birth, marriage or education certificate. Driver licence, national identity card or a lapsed passport. |
| Australian government issued photo ID card | A photo ID card issued by the Commonwealth, state or territory in your name. |
| Rates notice | A paid rates notice issued in your name with your address that is less than 12 months old. |
| Utility account | Water, gas, electricity or phone account with a receipt number. This must be in your name, show your address and be less than 12 months old. Must be a paid account. |
| Australian student ID card | A student ID card from a secondary school, TAFE, university or Registered Training Organisation. It must have your name with your photo or signature. |
| Electoral enrolment | Proof of enrolment card in your name and showing your address. |
| Aviation security identity card | A card issued in your name with your photo or signature. |
| Maritime security identity card | A card issued in your name with your photo or signature. |
| Police identity card | A card issued in your name with your photo or signature. |
| Prison release certificate | In your name with your photo or signature. |
| Tangentyere Community ID card | A card issued in your name and with your photo. |
| Medicare Card | A current Medicare Card issued in your name. |