Citizenship ceremonies
Kogarah City Council conducts approximately six citizenship ceremonies each year (bi-monthly) for residents of the Kogarah LGA wishing to become Australian citizens. The ceremonies are conducted under the auspices of the Department of Immigration.
Kogarah Council only conducts the ceremonies and is not a point of contact for those wishing to take out citizenship.
Listed within this section are the most frequently asked questions about obtaining Australian citizenship as well as contact details for the Department of Immigration.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I know when my ceremony is?
A: Council will receive a list of candidates to be sent an invitiation every 2 months before a ceremony. Candidates on each list are decided by the Department of Immigration. Council will then proceed to send you a letter telling you when your ceremony is. Please make sure your address is correct with the Department of Immigration so we can get in contact with you. Council does not keep records of any candidates other than those who are included on the current list for the next ceremony.
Q: What if I cannot attend the ceremony date and time Council sends me?
A: Phone Council and inform us that you cannot attend, we will advise the Department of Immigration and you will be allocated another ceremony time 2 months later. If you fail to attend 3 ceremonies in a row your application will be cancelled and you will need to re-apply for your citizenship.
Q: How do I get my citizenship?
A: Council is only responsible for carrying out citizenship ceremonies. We have no input with applications, approvals or certifications. All enquiries about applications and approvals need to be directed to the Department of Immigration on 131 880 or at http://www.citizenship.gov.au/
Q: How long will the ceremony go for?
A: All candidates must arrive for registration by 5.45pm. The ceremony commences at 6.30pm sharp. The ceremony usually ends no later than 7.30pm.
Q: I've applied for Australian citizenship. What happens next?
The Department of Immigration will write to you to confirm once your citizenship has been approved.
They will then add your name to a list of people in line to be invited to a council citizenship ceremony.
Approximately three weeks prior to the ceremony, Kogarah City Council receives the name list from the Department of Immigration (Council has no access to this information beforehand). Kogarah City Council will then send you an invitation to attend the ceremony.
Q: I haven't received an invitation to a Citizenship Ceremony
If you have received a letter from the Department of Immigration approving your citizenship, check below to see the dates of future citizenship ceremonies to be held at Kogarah. Invitations to attend a ceremony will be sent out by Kogarah City Council approximately 3 weeks prior to each ceremony. Due to cut off times and demand, the waiting period to attend a ceremony may be up to 6 months. If you do not receive an invitation after this time, please contact the Department of Immigration on 131 880.
Q: Where and when is the next citizenship ceremony?
Ceremonies are held at Kogarah City Council, Council Chambers, 2 Belgrave Street, Kogarah. Ceremonies are planned for:
- Thursday 26 January 2012 (incorporating other Australia Day activities at Carss Park)
- Wednesday 21 March 2012 at 6:30pm
- Wednesday 16 May 2012 at 6:30pm
- Wednesday 18 July 2012 at 6:30pm
- Wednesday 19 September 2012 at 6:30pm
- Wednesday 21 November 2012 at 6:30pm
Please note that the times shown above are when the ceremony starts - your invitation from council will request you to come up to an hour earlier to be checked in - please check the invitation.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Photo Identification with your current address, the letter from Council OR your letter from the Department of Immigration.
Q: Can I bring guests?
A: Yes, you are welcome to bring along two (2) guests ONLY to share in your ceremony. Please do not bring more than two (2) guests per family. If you bring more than the number specified they will not be allowed to attend the ceremony with you. Candidates are seated together for the ceremony and seats are provided for some guests around the outside of the group of candidates. Your guests will NOT be able to sit next to you during the ceremony.
Q: Can photographs be taken at the ceremony?
A: Yes, we prefer guests to remain in their seats until the end of the ceremony. Council provides a professional photographer for the ceremony to take photos of the candidates receiving their certificate from the Mayor. The Photographer will also take photos of family groups at the end of the Ceremony. All photographs will be sent to candidates as a complimentary gift from Kogarah City Council.
