What is a Commencement of Identity Document?

A commencement of identity document is official proof that you exist and when your identity started in Australia. It is usually issued when you are born here, or when you arrive or become a citizen. It is the starting point that your other ID documents build on.

Where it fits in the three ID groups #

For a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), you need three identity documents, one from each group:

• Group 1 – proof you exist. This is your commencement of identity document.
• Group 2 – photo ID you use day to day, such as a driver licence.
• Group 3 – one more document in your name, such as a Medicare card.

You can’t use the same document in two groups, and at least one of your three documents must show your photo.

Accepted commencement of identity documents #

पहचान दस्तावेज का आरंभ सामान्यतः निम्न होगा:

• पूर्ण ऑस्ट्रेलियाई जन्म प्रमाणपत्र—कोई उद्धरण या जन्म कार्ड नहीं, और न ही कोई स्मारक प्रमाणपत्र
• वर्तमान ऑस्ट्रेलियाई पासपोर्ट (या पिछले 2 वर्षों के भीतर समाप्त हो चुका - लेकिन रद्द नहीं किया गया)
• एक वर्तमान विदेशी पासपोर्ट
• एक वैध ऑस्ट्रेलियाई वीज़ा (जो वीज़ा पात्रता सत्यापन ऑनलाइन (VEVO) रिकॉर्ड या प्रिंटआउट के रूप में हो सकता है)
• ऑस्ट्रेलियाई नागरिकता प्रमाणपत्र
• विभाग द्वारा जारी किया गया एक आधिकारिक आव्रजन रिकॉर्ड या दस्तावेज़
  गृह मंत्रालय या विदेश मंत्रालय एवं व्यापार मंत्रालय।.

Common examples #

• ऑस्ट्रेलिया में जन्मा: most people use their Australian passport. No passport? A full birth certificate works in its place.
• Here on a visa: most people use their visa, shown on a VEVO check, with their foreign passport as photo ID.

Things to check before you apply #

• An Australian passport can be used if it is current or expired within the last 2 years, and not cancelled.
• A birth certificate extract, birth card or commemorative certificate can’t be used. You need the full certificate.
• Overseas birth certificates can’t be used, because they can’t be verified electronically. See I was born overseas – can I use my birth certificate?
• A VEVO check must be downloaded as a PDF within the last month and show the date and time stamp. Screenshots aren’t accepted.
• If your birth certificate is in a different name, such as a maiden name, you also need a marriage or change of name certificate. See Previous names and change of name documents.

See the full list of documents for each group: What identification documents are required for police checks?

Not sure which document to use? Chat with us between 7am and 7pm or email [email protected].