Passport Translation Australia

Why do I need my passport translated?

While most modern passports contain some English text alongside the local language, many passports — particularly older ones, diplomatic passports, and passports from countries that don't use Latin script — are entirely in a non-English language. Australian government departments, courts, and institutions require a NAATI certified English translation when the passport is not in English or when the English content is insufficient.

This is most commonly required for visa applications where the bio-data page needs to be translated, for legal proceedings where passport details are evidence, and for identity verification where non-Latin script passports are presented.

Passports from every country

We translate passports from every country in the world. Common requests include passports from China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, India, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Russia, Ukraine, and many more.

Older passports, handwritten passports, diplomatic passports, and refugee travel documents are all accepted for translation.

Common passport translation scenarios

Visa applications: The Department of Home Affairs may require translated passport pages as part of the application, particularly for passports in non-Latin scripts.

Travel history evidence: If you need to demonstrate your travel history for a visa application, translated visa stamps and entry/exit records may be required.

Legal proceedings: Courts may require translated passport pages as identity evidence.

Expired passports: If your current application references details from an expired passport, a translation of the expired passport's bio-data page may be needed.

To get started, provide:

• A clear photo or scan of the bio-data page (the page with your photo and personal details)
• Any additional pages with visa stamps or annotations if these also need translation
• If you need an expired passport translated, that's fine — include the bio-data page

Tip: Open the passport flat and photograph the full double-page spread. Ensure all text is sharp and legible, including the machine-readable zone at the bottom.

Your certified passport translation includes:

• Full English translation of the bio-data page — name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, issuing authority, expiry
• Translation of any visa stamps, endorsements, or annotations if requested
• NAATI certification stamp with the translator's credential number
• Translator's signed certification statement
• Digital PDF delivered via email
• Optional hard copy via registered post

Note: Most applications only require translation of the bio-data page. If you need visa stamps or observation pages translated as well, please include those pages in your upload.

Do I need my whole passport translated or just the bio-data page?

For most purposes, only the bio-data page (the page with your photo) needs translation. If visa stamps or endorsement pages are also needed, let us know and include those pages in your upload.

How much does passport translation cost?

Bio-data page translation starts from $69. Additional pages with visa stamps are priced per page.

My passport has English text already — do I still need a translation?

If the English content covers all the information required, you may not need a translation. However, if there are annotations, stamps, or additional pages in another language that are relevant to your application, those will need translation.

How quickly can I get my passport translated?

Standard turnaround is 1–2 business days. Same-day express service is available.