Passports

Greek Passports
As of 1 January 2006, Greek passports are exclusively issued by the Hellenic Police (Passport Division) using state-of-the-art technology that meets the highest possible security standards and specifications.
The Greek Consular Authorities in Australia are responsible for:
• Collecting applications, supporting documents and fingerprints, after appointment with the nearest to your permanent residence Consular Authority of Greece in Australia
• Safely forwarding such documents to the Hellenic Police in Greece
• Receiving passports from the Hellenic Police and
• Handing them over to their rightful owners.
Please note that in Australia you can apply for Greek passport only at the Consulate-General of Greece in Melbourne, the Consulate-General of Greece in Sydney, the Consulate-General of Greece in Adelaide, the Consulate of Greece in Perth and the Consular Office of the Embassy of Greece in Canberra. (Contact information can be found at the webpage of the Embassy www.mfa.gr/australia)
CITIZENS WISHING TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BY CONTACTING THE CONSULAR AUTHORITY. ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALL THE REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. IN CASE OF AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION, A NEW APPOINTMENT WILL HAVE TO BE MADE.
Please note that the required time for the completion of this process is approximately 4-5 weeks. You should also take into consideration that appointments are given on a priority basis (applicants in possession of Greek passport only, in need of urgent travel, are given priority). Based on the above, you should contact the Consular Authority well in advance of your planned trip.

Greek passports are issued for a ten-year period. Passports for minors under 14 years are issued for three years.

Only Greek Citizens are entitled to apply for a Greek passport. Australian citizens of Greek background who do not hold Greek citizenship as well (Greek citizenship is proven through the registration of a person in a Municipality in Greece) are not entitled to a Greek passport.

1.    APPLICATIONS
Applications for new passports or renewal of existing passports must be made in person. All required supporting documents without exception must accompany the application.
Supporting documents submitted must be recent, issued within the last six (6) months.
In the case of minors, supporting documents are submitted by the parents or legal guardians of the said minor.  In case only one parent is present, the written consent of the other parent is required, with the latter’s signature certified either by Greek  Consular Authorities abroad, competent Authorities in Greece or an Australian public Authority.

2. LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
a. An electronic application form provided by the Consular Authority which also acts as a Statement of Truth in which the applicant states whether he/she:
- has been convicted of forgery, counterfeiting of certificates, embezzlement of documents, false testification or false declaration, given that these offences are in respect to the issuance, use, loss or theft of a passport.
- has been prosecuted for abduction, human trade, trafficking, kidnapping, child abduction, slave trading or smuggling of illegal immigrants.
-  has been prosecuted or set to go to trial for the aforementioned offences.
-  has been declared a draft-evader or deserter or overseas deserter.
-  has a pending prohibition to exit the country,
-  resides permanently at the stated address and if he/she has been issued a passport, in accordance with the provisions of the Law 3103/2003, which may have been lost, stolen or if a renewal or replacement passport is being requested.
b. Previous passport (provided it exists).  This passport will be returned to its owner until delivery of the new one, at which point it will be handed over and invalidated.
c. Recent two (2) color digital photograph 4x6 cm (1.6 x 2.3 inches) of particular technical specifications, light-coloured background with no ink-jet or laser technology.  
ATTENTION: If the photograph does not meet the above required specifications, the application will be rejected by the Central Division of Passport Issuance in Athens.
The applicant may get his/her photos done by any professional photographer (NOT   the Post Office) according to specifications in the following link http://www.passport.gov.gr/en/npc-content/npc-periexomeno/technical-specifications.html
For further information, please contact the competent Consular Authority.
d. A Greek police identity card (with the number of municipal registration on its back side). If the applicant does not have a Greek police identity card, he or she can provide an original birth certificate from the Municipality in Greece where he or she is registered.  If the applicant does not have an original birth certificate issued within the last six months, the Consular Authority will request one from the competent Greek Municipality.
e. (Only for males 19-45 years of age) Persons under military deferment must provide a Type B Certificate. A permanent resident abroad who has evaded his mandatory military obligations (insubordinate) must submit a certificate from the competent Military Office in Greece which will certify his military service status. These documents must have been issued within six months of the passport application.
f. List of Supporting Documents for Issuing Passport to Minors:
•    Application (filled out at the Consular Authority by the parents or legal guardians). Minor applicants have to be present and accompanied by their parents or legal guardians when they submit the required application documents. In case only one parent is present, the written consent of the other parent is required, with the latter’s signature certified either by local Greek Consular Authorities, or competent Authorities in Greece.
•    Previous passport (provided there is one).  This passport will be returned to its owner until delivery of the new one, at which point it will be handed over and invalidated.
•    Recent two (2) color digital photograph 4x6 cm (1.6 x 2.3 inches) of particular technical specifications, light-coloured background with no ink-jet or laser technology.  
ATTENTION: If the photograph does not meet the above required specifications, the application will be rejected by the Central Division of Passport Issuance in Athens.
The applicant may get his/her photos done by any professional photographer (NOT the Post Office) according to specifications in the following link http://www.passport.gov.gr/en/npc-content/npc-periexomeno/technical-specifications.html
For further information, please contact the competent Consular Authority.
•    For minors over the age of 12, a Greek police identity card. If the applicant does not have a Greek police identity card, he or she can provide an original birth certificate from the Municipality in Greece where he or she is registered.  If the applicant does not have an original birth certificate issued within the last six months, the Consular Authority will request one from the competent Greek Municipality.
g. Person under Guardianship or Judicial Assistance
In the case of adult persons under guardianship or judicial assistance, the presence of the said guardian and/or judicial assistant is required at the time of the application and a certified copy of the relevant decision on guardianship/judicial assistance must be presented.

3. PASSPORT COLLECTION
Passports must be collected in person or by a legal guardian or person legally authorised and proper identification must be provided. Legal guardians and legally authorised persons must also provide a power of attorney with their signature certified by a Greek Consular Authority or any other Greek or Australian Public Authority.
In all cases, the applicant needs to produce all relevant receipts.  When new passports are picked up, applicants are required to submit their old passport for cancellation.
According to the regulations of the Hellenic Police, the passports remaining with the Consular Authority for six months without being collected will be returned to the Hellenic Police in Greece.

4. PASSPORT FEES
The fees for the issuance of Greek passports are as follows:
Passports for applicants over 14 years of age: €84,40*
Passports for applicants up to 14 years of age: €73,60*  
*Passport fees are paid in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate οf the current month.  Please note that Greek Consular Authorities in Australia only accept CASH. They do not accept credit cards, debit cards or personal checks. Please note that the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney accepts cash or credit / debit cards. We do not accept personal checks.

5. REJECTION OF THE PASSPORT APPLICATION
In case the passport application is rejected the fee paid is refundable, minus the equivalent of 5 Euros in AUD, which accounts for postage and handling.
6. PASSPORT RENEWAL
Applications for passport renewal can only be accepted maximum one year prior to the expiration date.
7. LOSS OR THEFT OF PASSPORT
In case of loss or theft of a valid Greek passport in Australia the holder bears the obligation to inform at the earliest the nearest Greek Consular Authority as well as the local Police.
In case of loss or theft of one’s passport in Australia, the holder must report the incident, as soon as possible, to the local Australian Police Authority obtaining confirmation of his/her report (e.g. crime reference number). Furthermore, one needs also to proceed to the Consular Authority to report the loss/theft to the relevant Greek Authorities.
The Consular Authority proceeds with an investigation concerning the circumstances of loss or theft of the passport, which can last up to 3 months from the date of the report at the Consular Authority. In case that the passport is lost/stolen again within 5 years, the investigation can last up to a year, depending on the case. As long as the investigation is in process, a new passport cannot be issued. In case of a loss/theft, the submission of a new application is only possible after 90 days from the day of the declaration of the loss/theft at the Consular Authority.
For further information or any clarification, please contact the nearest Greek Consular Authority in Australia or check the National Hellenic Passport Centre’s website:     http://www.passport.gov.gr/en/