Prospective Marriage visa checklist: every document the applicant and the sponsor upload for a subclass 300
The Prospective Marriage visa checklist splits into applicant and sponsor documents, with up to 100 documents per person, colour scans and no certified copies needed (Home Affairs, page updated 10 August 2026). The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page lists identity, relationship, character and health documents for the applicant, and identity documents, an Australian Federal Police complete-disclosure certificate, any required overseas police certificates and written consent to disclose relevant convictions for the sponsor’s online sponsorship. Police certificates and health results are each valid for 12 months according to that page, so time them against a wait in which half of recently decided applications took 14 months, according to Home Affairs global visa processing times as at 3 October 2026. Tick each applicable item as you gather it; use the same checklist as your paper list when printing.
| Document group · what it proves · validity | Applicant — uploads to “Stage 1 – Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa” | Sponsor — uploads to “Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia” |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Proves: identity and the sponsor’s status, under clauses 300.211 and 300.213 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Valid for: check each document’s own expiry date, where applicable. | ☐ Birth certificate naming both parents, or one of the alternatives Home Affairs lists ☐ Passport bio pages ☐ National identity card, if held ☐ Change-of-name evidence, if applicable | ☐ Passport copy ☐ Birth certificate copy ☐ Photo of your face ☐ Permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen: evidence you usually live in Australia |
| Relationship Proves: meeting in person since each turned 18, intention to marry within the visa period and intention to live together as spouses, under clauses 300.214–300.216 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Valid for: keep evidence current during the wait. | ☐ Two witness statements; Form 888 can be used Supplied by: two people aged 18 or over who know you both and your relationship ☐ Citizenship or permanent residence evidence for any Australian citizen or permanent resident witness ☐ Evidence you met face to face as adults ☐ Evidence of intention to marry within the visa period, such as an officiant’s letter Supplied by: the person who will officiate ☐ Evidence of intention to live as spouses ☐ Written relationship history | Home Affairs lists relationship evidence among the applicant’s documents. Put joint evidence on the visa application; attach each document once. |
| Former relationships Proves: freedom to marry at decision, under clause 300.221A of the Migration Regulations 1994. Valid for: documents must establish the relevant relationship status. | ☐ Divorce documents, death certificates, separation documents or statutory declarations, as applicable | There must be no impediment to the marriage at decision, such as an existing marriage, under clause 300.221A. A divorce must take effect before the wedding under section 42(10) of the Marriage Act 1961. |
| Character Proves: applicant character requirement, PIC 4001, and sponsor checks under regulations 1.20KB–1.20KD of the Migration Regulations 1994. Police certificates valid for: 12 months from issue. | ☐ AFP complete-disclosure National Police Certificate, if you spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16 ☐ Police certificate from each country where you lived for 12 months or more in that period ☐ Military service records or discharge papers, if you served ☐ Form 80 | Every sponsor: ☐ AFP complete-disclosure National Police Certificate — not a state or territory certificate ☐ Police certificate from each country where you lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16 ☐ Written consent to disclose relevant-offence convictions to the applicant |
| Health Proves: health requirement, PIC 4007 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Results valid for: 12 months from examination. | ☐ Health examinations for you and each family member applying ☐ Health undertaking, if requested — valid for six months | The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page’s sponsor view states no health examination or health requirement for the sponsor. |
| Values statement Proves: PIC 4019 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Applies to: every applicant aged 18 or over. | ☐ Read, or have explained, the Life in Australia booklet ☐ Sign the Australian Values Statement | — |
| Children included Proves: family-unit membership, dependence where applicable and consent. Validity: health results and police certificates each last 12 months. | ☐ Health examinations for each family member applying ☐ Character documents from age 16 ☐ Form 1229, or the applicable Australian court order or evidence of home-country law Supplied by: each person with a legal right to decide where the child lives who is not coming ☐ Form 47A and evidence of dependence for dependants aged 18 or over | The sponsorship covers family members granted the visa, according to the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page. |
| Biometrics Purpose: provide biometrics if requested. Timing: follow Home Affairs’ request. | ☐ Only if Home Affairs asks | — |
| Translations Purpose: make every non-English document available in English. Validity: upload with the original document. | ☐ English translation plus original ☐ Translator in Australia: NAATI-accredited ☐ Translator outside Australia: name, address, phone number, qualifications and experience on each translation | ☐ Apply the same translation rules to sponsor documents |
Source: Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page, applicant and sponsor tabs, updated 10 August 2026; Migration Regulations 1994 (Compilation 288). Biometrics requests are explained on Home Affairs’ biometrics page.
Use the checklist above to mark each document you have obtained. This page is a reading checklist; it does not save your progress or send your documents.
At a glance
The upload and validity rules below come from the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page, updated 10 August 2026; the police-check fee comes from AFP National Police Checks, checked 3 October 2026.
A partner visa with Australian Migration Lawyers usually costs $14,000 plus GST in professional fees, separate from the Home Affairs visa application charges.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Attachment limit | Up to 100 documents per person; the limit cannot be increased |
| Certified copies | Not needed |
| Scans | Readable colour scans or photos; each multi-page document as one file |
| Translations | English translation with the original; NAATI accreditation required only for translators in Australia |
| Police certificates | Valid for 12 months from issue; AFP certificate AUD 57 as at 3 October 2026 |
| Health results | Valid for 12 months from the examination |
Identity documents for the applicant and the sponsor
The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page, updated 10 August 2026, separates the applicant’s identity documents from the sponsor’s documents.
| Applicant | Sponsor |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate naming both parents, or one of the alternatives Home Affairs lists | Copy of your passport |
| Passport bio pages | Copy of your birth certificate |
| National identity card, if you have one | Photo of your face |
| Change-of-name evidence, if applicable | If you are a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen: evidence you usually live in Australia |
What those status documents prove, and the limits on who can sponsor, are set out under Sponsoring your fiancé for a Prospective Marriage visa.
Relationship documents for a subclass 300
The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page, updated 10 August 2026, asks the applicant to gather five groups of relationship evidence. The underlying meeting and intention criteria are in clauses 300.214–300.216 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Compilation 288).
- Two witness statements. Each witness must be aged 18 or over and know you both and your relationship. Home Affairs’ Form 888 — Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application, design date 08/26, can be used; it is a supporting statement, not a statutory declaration. Australian citizen or permanent resident witnesses also provide evidence of that status.
- Evidence you have met in person. Show that you met face to face since each of you turned 18 and know each other personally, as required by clause 300.214 of the Migration Regulations 1994.
- Evidence you intend to marry within the visa period. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page gives a letter from the person who will officiate at the wedding as an example.
- Evidence you genuinely intend to live as spouses. This addresses clause 300.216 of the Migration Regulations 1994.
- A written relationship history. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page asks you to explain how, when and where you met; how the relationship developed; the engagement; what you do together; significant events; and future plans.
There is a wording mismatch on the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page: its document list still refers to marrying within nine months of grant, while clause 300.511 of the Migration Regulations 1994 allows a visa period of nine to 15 months. Clause 300.215 requires an intention to marry within the visa period; the grant letter gives the actual end date.
Home Affairs lists these documents on the applicant’s side and says to attach each document once. The sponsor’s separate document list covers identity, police certificates and disclosure consent.
What counts for each criterion, and how much is enough, is covered in proving your relationship for a subclass 300.
Character documents: police certificates and Form 80
- Australian police certificate. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page accepts only an AFP complete-disclosure National Police Certificate, not a state or territory police certificate. The applicant needs one if they spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16; every sponsor needs one. AFP National Police Checks lists AUD 57 per application, or AUD 114 if fingerprints are needed, as at 3 October 2026.
- Overseas police certificates. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page requires the applicant and every sponsor to provide a certificate from each country where they lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.
- Form 80. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page tells the applicant to complete and attach Form 80 — Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment, design date 03/21.
The sponsor also supplies written consent to disclose relevant-offence convictions to the applicant. Under clause 300.222(2) of the Migration Regulations 1994, the visa is refused without that consent. Applicants who served in the military supply their service records or discharge papers, according to the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page.
Family members applying who are aged 16 or over must meet the character requirement too, according to the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page.
Certificate expiry: the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page says police certificates are valid for 12 months from issue for immigration purposes, and Home Affairs may ask for new ones if they expire before it decides.
Health examinations
The applicant and every family member applying must have health examinations, and the results are valid for 12 months from the examination (Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page, updated 10 August 2026).
A health undertaking, if requested, is valid for six months according to the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page. Family members who are not coming to Australia may also be asked for health information.
The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page’s sponsor view states no health examination or health requirement for the sponsor. The health requirement applies to the applicant and family members applying.
Start with Home Affairs’ What health examinations you need page and follow the examination and arrangement instructions relevant to your application.
Documents if either of you was married before
The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page lists these documents for the applicant’s former relationships, as applicable:
- Divorce documents.
- Death certificates.
- Separation documents or statutory declarations.
For either person, separation alone does not establish that an existing marriage has legally ended. Clause 300.221A of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires no impediment to the intended marriage under Australian law at the visa decision, including an existing marriage. Under section 42(10) of the Marriage Act 1961, a divorce must take effect before the wedding.
Documents for children in the application
- Consent for a child under 18. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page requires Form 1229 — Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years, design date 11/23, from each person with a legal right to decide where the child lives who is not coming. Alternatively, provide the applicable Australian court order or evidence of the child’s home-country law.
- Documents for a dependant aged 18 or over. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page requires Form 47A — Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over, design date 10/20, and evidence of dependence. This applies to a dependant aged 18–23 who depends on you or your partner, or a dependant over 23 who cannot support themselves because of a physical or cognitive limitation.
- Health and character documents for each family member. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page requires every family member applying to meet the health requirement, and the character requirement from age 16. Each family member applying must be outside Australia at lodgement.
A dependent child outside Australia added after lodgement uses Form 1436 — Adding an additional applicant after lodgement (Details and payment form), design date 11/20, before the decision only; the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page also requires notification through the Partner Processing Enquiry Form. The official form is available through the Home Affairs form listing.
Translations, scans and the 100-document limit
The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page, updated 10 August 2026, gives four upload rules for applicant and sponsor documents:
- Up to 100 documents per person. The limit cannot be increased. Attach each document once and label it clearly.
- Readable colour scans or photos. Scan or photograph English and non-English documents in colour. Save each multi-page document as one file.
- No certified copies. Home Affairs says: “You do not need to have any documents certified.”
- English translations with the originals. Translators in Australia must be NAATI-accredited. Translators outside Australia need not be accredited, but must include their name, address, phone number, qualifications and experience on each translation.
Where each upload happens in ImmiAccount, step by step, is set out in the Prospective Marriage visa application guide.
If an upload fails, the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page directs you to the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Common checklist mistakes
- Paying for certified copies: the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page says certification is not needed.
- Using a state police check: the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page accepts only the AFP complete-disclosure National Police Certificate for the Australian check.
- Missing the sponsor’s disclosure consent: clause 300.222(2) of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires consent to disclose relevant-offence convictions; without it, the visa is refused.
- Obtaining police certificates or medical results too early: the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page gives each a 12-month validity period, so check dates during the wait and follow any request for updated evidence.
- Missing parental consent: the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page requires Form 1229, or an applicable court-order or home-country-law alternative, for a child when a person with the relevant legal right is not coming.
Do you need a notice of intended marriage or Form 40SP?
No to both. Neither is a required document on the current Home Affairs subclass 300 application list: the Prospective Marriage visa page does not name a notice of intended marriage, and sponsorship is completed online rather than using Form 40SP.
Notice of intended marriage (NOIM): the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page asks for evidence of intention to marry, “such as a letter from the person who will officiate at the wedding”. The officiant does not have to be in Australia: Home Affairs allows the wedding in any country if valid under Australian law, but condition 8515 of the Migration Regulations 1994 prohibits marrying before first entering Australia on the subclass 300.
If you give a NOIM for an Australian wedding, section 42(1)(a) of the Marriage Act 1961 requires it to reach the celebrant between 18 months and one month before the wedding. The Attorney-General’s Department’s Get married page says it can be completed from overseas. That wedding notice requirement is separate from the visa document list.
Form 40SP: it was not on the Home Affairs form listing when checked on 3 October 2026. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page directs the sponsor to the online ImmiAccount form “Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia”, after the applicant lodges and provides the TRN or application ID.
Checking a 300 document checklist: what an Australian migration lawyer reviews
An Australian legal practitioner may give immigration assistance in connection with legal practice under section 280(3) of the Migration Act 1958 (Compilation 171).
A document review can cover three practical checks:
- Timing and validity dates. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page gives police certificates 12 months from issue and health results 12 months from examination. Home Affairs global visa processing times, as at 3 October 2026, showed 14 months for 50% and 26 months for 90% of recently decided subclass 300 applications—not a guaranteed waiting period. A lawyer can plan when to obtain time-limited documents and identify those needing an expiry-date check.
- The sponsor’s separate documents. A lawyer can check that the AFP complete-disclosure certificate, required overseas certificates and written disclosure consent are present. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page lists the certificates; clause 300.222(2) of the Migration Regulations 1994 makes consent essential.
- Gaps a ticked list can miss. A lawyer can check whether a former marriage has legally ended before decision under clause 300.221A of the Migration Regulations 1994, whether a child’s parental consent or alternative evidence is present, and whether an Australian translator meets the NAATI requirement stated on the Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page.
Before lodgement, an Australian migration lawyer can compare the documents with the application answers, check validity dates and confirm the sponsor’s consent is included. These are checks on preparation and evidence consistency, not a prediction of a visa grant.
Do documents need to be certified for a Prospective Marriage visa?
No. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page, updated 10 August 2026, says: “You do not need to have any documents certified.” Clear, readable colour scans or photos are sufficient, with translations where required.
What happens if a police certificate expires before the decision?
Home Affairs may ask for a new one. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page says police certificates are valid for 12 months from issue, so check current processing times before obtaining them and keep track of their dates during the wait.
Do our witnesses have to be Australian citizens?
No. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page asks for two witnesses aged 18 or over who know you both and your relationship; only witnesses who are Australian citizens or permanent residents add proof of that status.
What documents are needed to get married in Australia?
Under section 42 of the Marriage Act 1961 and the Attorney-General’s Department’s Get married guidance, the celebrant needs evidence of each person’s date and place of birth, identity, proof that any earlier marriage has ended, and the notice of intended marriage at least one month before the wedding.
Can we add documents after lodging?
Yes. The Home Affairs Prospective Marriage visa page asks applicants to update documents and relationship evidence regularly through ImmiAccount during the wait. If an upload fails, it directs applicants to the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Ask an Australian migration lawyer
An Australian migration lawyer can check your documents against this list before you lodge. The page on subclass 300 legal help explains how that help works, and the enquiry page is where to put your question to Australian Migration Lawyers.