What Documents Do I Need for Children on a 190 Visa in 2026?
For each dependent child aged 18 or younger who applies with you on a Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), the Australian Department of Home Affairs asks for three things: a birth certificate or the family book showing the names of both parents of all your dependent children, adoption papers where adoption applies, and consent to migrate from any person who has a legal right to decide where the child lives but is not travelling to Australia with the child. This reflects the Department's "Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190)" official page as at the July 2026 version of that page, and it is general information rather than advice on your own circumstances — where your family situation is contested or unusual, check the current official wording or get professional help before you lodge.
How do I prove the child is my dependent child?
The core relationship document is the child's birth record. The Department accepts either birth certificates or the family book, as long as the document shows the names of both parents of all your dependent children — a certificate that names only one parent leaves a gap in the evidence.
For a dependant over 18 the Department separately lists identity documents and documents about their other relationships, if applicable; for a dependant 18 or younger the published list is the birth certificate or family book, adoption papers where applicable, and the parental responsibility documents below.
What if a name on the documents doesn't match?
Documents that prove a change of name include a marriage or divorce certificate, change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages or the relevant overseas authority, and documents showing other names a person has been known by. Uploading those prevents a mismatch between the passport, the birth record and the application form.
What if the child is adopted?
Provide copies of the adoption papers. Adoption documents do more than prove the relationship — they can also be relevant to who holds the legal right to decide where the child lives, which determines whose consent the Department will look for.
Whose consent do I need, and in what form?
Consent is required from anyone who has a legal right to decide where the child lives and is not coming to Australia with the child. Two conditions together; a parent who is migrating with the child on the same application is not asked to consent to their own child's migration.
That person must complete either:
- Form 1229 — Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
- A statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to migrate to Australia on this visa
Instead of either of those, you can show an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or show that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate.
You also need to include an identity document showing the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or driver's licence, plus adoption papers or other court documents where they apply.
Assume an applicant whose child lives with the other parent, and the other parent will stay behind: the practical chain is a completed Form 1229 (or a statutory declaration) plus a copy of that parent's passport or driver's licence page, so the signature on the consent can be matched to a photo-bearing identity document.
Does my child under 18 need to pass an English test?
No. The Department states that you don't have to prove a dependant under 18 years of age has functional English, so no English evidence is required for them even though the main applicant must show at least competent English at time of invitation.
What happens if my child turns 18 while the application is being processed?
If your child is likely to turn 18 while your application is being processed, you need to provide evidence that they are dependent on you. A child who turns 18 during processing and who is not dependent on you cannot satisfy the criteria for this visa — the age threshold is not the only test once 18 is reached.
For a child already over 18, they can be included if they are:
- over 18 but not yet 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
- over 23 and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations, and dependent on you or your partner
The documents for an over-18 dependent are identity documents, documents about their other relationships where applicable, and proof of dependency:
- proof of your relationship with the dependant, such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
- a completed Form 47a — Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over
- proof of financial dependency, such as bank statements, money transfers and rent receipts
- if the child is 23 or is likely to turn 23 while the application is processed, a report from a qualified medical practitioner stating they are dependent on you or your partner due to the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions
Can I add a child after I have already lodged?
Yes, up to a point. You can add members of the family unit after you apply but before the Department decides the visa, using Form 1436 — Adding an additional applicant after lodgement — paying through ImmiAccount and attaching the form and supporting documents there.
Every family member added must meet the health and character requirements. Family members who are not coming to Australia still have to meet the character requirement and might have to meet the health requirement, so adding a child late does not remove any of the document work described above.
What applies to every child on the application
Each child must meet the health and character requirements that apply to family members on this visa, and every document you upload has to be accurate — the Department treats incorrect or unproven information as a problem in its own right, separate from whether the underlying facts would have been acceptable. Provisions can change, so confirm against the Department's current published requirements at the time you lodge.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both a birth certificate and a family book?
No, the Department lists them as alternatives for the same purpose: copies of birth certificates or the family book, showing the names of both parents of all your dependent children. Choose whichever document actually names both parents.
Who exactly has to sign Form 1229?
Anyone who has a legal right to decide where the child lives and is not coming to Australia with the child. If both parents hold that right and both are migrating on the same application, no consent form is needed from either of them.
Can a statutory declaration be used instead of Form 1229?
Yes. The non-migrating person can complete either Form 1229 or a statutory declaration giving consent for the child to migrate to Australia on this visa. You still need their photo-and-signature identity document, such as a passport or driver's licence.
Is there any way to satisfy the consent requirement without a signature?
Yes, in the alternative: you can show an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or show that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate. Adoption papers or other court documents should be included where they apply.
Does my under-18 child need English language evidence?
No. The Department specifically says you don't have to prove a dependant under 18 years of age has functional English, so no test or English documents are required for them.
My child turns 18 before the decision — is that a problem?
It can be. You will need evidence they are dependent on you, and a child who turns 18 during processing and is not dependent on you cannot satisfy the criteria for this visa. Prepare dependency evidence — such as Form 47a plus bank statements, money transfers or rent receipts — early if their birthday is close.
Can I add my child after I have lodged the application?
Yes, before the visa is decided, using Form 1436, with payment through ImmiAccount and the form plus supporting documents attached there. The child must still meet the health and character requirements.