Citizenship ceremonies
Find out about the Australian Citizenship Ceremony. Information on how to apply, what to expect on the day and citizenship certificates is provided.

A citizenship ceremony is where you make the Australian citizenship pledge. For most people, this is the final step in the journey to becoming an Australian.

The ceremony is usually held within six months of you receiving your confirmation letter and is hosted by the City of Armadale. The City will provide you with an email invitation 6 weeks prior to your ceremony date, at which time you will need to respond to advise your attendance.

Apply for citizenship

To apply for Australian citizenship please contact the Department of Home Affairs:

Phone: 131 880
Email: ceremony.wa@homeaffairs.gov.au

All applications must be lodged at the Department of Home Affairs. 

For more information visit the Department of Home Affairs immigration and citizenship website.

Dates for citizenship ceremonies

Public citizenship ceremonies will be held on the following dates for 2024:

Date Location Time Notes
26 January 2024 Kelmscott Hall 9am Australia Day Ceremony with Community Citizen of the Year Awards
21 March 2024 Kelmscott Hall 7pm Full Citizenship Ceremony
23 May 2024 Kelmscott Hall 7pm Full Citizenship Ceremony
25 July 2024 Kelmscott Hall 7pm Full Citizenship Ceremony
19 September 2024 Kelmscott Hall 7pm Citizenship Week 
21 November 2024 Kelmscott Hall 7pm Full Citizenship Ceremony

 

What to expect on the day

One the day of your citizenship ceremony, you should:

  • Allow at least three hours for the ceremony on Australia Day and National Citizenship Day to take place and conclude.
  • Arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony so you can register and find your seat.

After you are seated, there will be:

  • A formal introduction
  • Speeches, including a welcome message from the Mayor
  • Minister’s Message
  • An address to participants
  • The pledge
  • National Anthem.

The presiding officer will ask you to repeat the Australian citizenship pledge out loud. You will become an Australian citizen after you make the pledge.

You will say the version of pledge that you chose on your application (to God or to Country).

What to bring to the ceremony

You need to bring one form of photo identification:

  • Passport
  • Driver’s licence
  • An official document with a photograph.

If you do not have photo identification, bring at least three documents showing your name, address and signature:

  • Utility bills
  • Bank statements
  • Credit card statements.

If you are under 16, you do not need to bring photo identification.

If you want to make the Australian citizenship pledge on a holy book, bring a book with you to the ceremony. The City does not provide holy books.

Citizenship certificates

After you have made the pledge, you should receive your citizenship certificate.

If your certificate is not ready at the ceremony, the Department of Home Affairs will post it to you. You will still become a citizen when you make the pledge.

Your citizenship certificate is issued in the name you gave on your application form. This was your legal name at the time the Department of Home Affairs approved your citizenship.

Your citizenship certificate is an important legal document. You will need it when you apply for an Australian passport. It is recommended that you wait until 10 business days after your citizenship ceremony to apply.

Lost certificates

If you have lost your citizenship certificate and require a replacement, please visit the Department of Home Affairs immigration and citizenship website.

If you cannot attend the ceremony

If you are unable to attend your citizenship ceremony for any reason, please follow the instructions found in your invitation letter.

If you miss your ceremony, you will receive another invitation from the City or the Department of Home Affairs.

You do not need to contact us.

Page Last Reviewed 28 November 2023