Citizenship ceremonies

Dates

To enquire about the date for your citizenship ceremony you must contact the Department of Home Affairs directly by phoning 131 881 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, excepting public holidays.  Alternatively, you can contact the Department of Home Affairs via the website.

The dates for citizenship ceremonies to be held in 2023 are as follows:

• Thursday 26 January 2023
• Thursday 16 February 2023
• Thursday 16 March 2023
• Thursday 20 April 2023
• Thursday 18 May 2023
• Thursday 20 July 2023
• Thursday 17 August 2023
• Thursday 14 September 2023
• Thursday 19 October 2023
• Thursday 16 November 2023.

Please note Council will not conduct a citizenship ceremony in the months of June and December.

All enquiries in relation to when you may be allocated a date for a citizenship ceremony must be directed to the Department of Home Affairs.  Council does not allocate or have any input into dates for those awaiting to attend a citizenship ceremony.

Venue

Citizenship ceremonies are conducted at Maribyrnong Community Centre, 9 Randall Street, Maribyrnong (view map).  For enquiries that are not date related, please contact Council by phoning 9688 0200 or send us an email to email@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

In response to COVID-19, Council has developed a COVIDSafe Plan for citizenship ceremonies which is available by phoning 9688 0200 or email us at email@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

The Minister responsible for administering the Australian Citizenship Act requires us to have an appropriate dress code for attendees at citizenship ceremonies.

Attendees at citizenship ceremonies are encouraged to wear smart, casual attire which reflects the significance of the occasion.

National/traditional/cultural dress is welcomed to be worn, however the following should not be worn at citizenship ceremonies:

• Beach wear including swimwear of any kind.
• Rubber thongs.
• Slippers.
• Singlets or tank tops.
• Nightwear.
• Shirts and jackets containing offensive motifs.
• Sports or training apparel.
• Overly torn clothing items.

Appropriate footwear must be worn by all attendees.  Attending a citizenship ceremony with bare feet is not acceptable.

Attendees in breach of the City of Maribyrnong Citizenship Ceremony Dress Code may be requested to remove themselves from the venue until the ceremony concludes.

Registrations open 30 minutes prior to the commencement of a ceremony on the ground floor.

All those expecting to become a citizen must have registered upon arrival.

For enquiries relating to the date of your citizenship ceremony, please contact the Department of Home Affairs directly by visiting the Department's website or phone 131 881 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday excepting public holidays.

Please note Council has no input into the allocation of dates for citizenship ceremonies.  You must contact the Department directly.

Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our community and our employees, therefore in response to COVID-19, only one guest will be permitted to attend your citizenship ceremony with you until further notice.

Those becoming Australian citizens should allow 1.5 hours to attend a ceremony.  Registrations are essential upon arrival and registration with the Australian Electoral Commission may also be required prior to the ceremony.

Registrations open 30 minutes prior to the commencement of a ceremony and formalities take approximately one hour.

You will not be able to obtain citizenship on the night if you are not able to produce the appropriate identification as follows:

• Your letter of invitation sent to you by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Photographic identification (such as your passport or drivers licence).

If you are unable to provide photographic identification you will need to bring at least three different documents which contain your name, address and/or signature. At least two of these must be on the identification you produce (such as credit card, bills for utilities or bank statements).