Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

Lost, Stolen or Found Identity Documents

What is an identity document?

An identity document is a document that provides evidence that you are who you say you are. It contains personal information about you, such as your name, date of birth, and address. Examples include your passport, birth certificate, and driver’s licence. These documents have high value in establishing and confirming your identity.

What if my identity document has been lost or stolen?

If your identity document has been lost or stolen, you must inform the agency that issued the document as soon as possible.

Why should I report it?

If you don’t report lost or stolen identity documents, people who find them can use them to create a false identity for themselves using your identity as a cover, and even commit crimes in your name. This is called ‘identity theft’.

What if I find someone else’s identity document?

If you find someone else’s identity document it is your responsibility to deliver it to your local police station. For high priority documents (that is, passports, visas, citizenship certificates, birth certificates and drivers’ licences), the local police will contact the owner to arrange retrieval. If the owner cannot be located the local police will contact the agency that issued the document.

This and further information on protecting your identity is available in the Lost, Stolen or Found Identity Document brochure.

Australian Identity Document Contact Details

Passports

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Ph: 131 232
www.passports.gov.au

Visa/Citizenship Certificates or other Australian Immigration documents

Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Ph: 131 881
www.immi.gov.au

Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates and Change of Name

New South Wales
Ph: 1300 655 236
www.bdm.nsw.gov.au

Victoria
Ph: 1300 369 367
www.bdm.vic.gov.au

Queensland
Ph: 1300 366 430
www.justice.qld.gov.au/bdm

Western Australia
Ph: 1300 305 021
www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au/

South Australia
Ph: (08) 8204 9599
www.ocba.sa.gov.au/bdm

Tasmania
Ph: 1300 135 513
www.justice.tas.gov.au

Australian Capital Territory
Ph: (02) 6207 0460
www.ors.act.gov.au

Northern Territory
Ph: (08) 8999 6119
www.nt.gov.au/justice/bdm

Drivers' Licences

New South Wales
Ph: 132 213
www.rta.nsw.gov.au

Victoria
Ph: 131 171
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Queensland
Ph: 132 380
www.transport.qld.gov.au/

Western Australia
Ph: 131 156
www.transport.wa.gov.au

South Australia
Ph: 131 084
www.transport.sa.gov.au

Tasmania
Ph: 1300 851 225
www.transport.tas.gov.au

Australian Capital Territory
Ph: 132 281
www.rego.act.gov.au

Northern Territory
Ph: 1300 654 628
www.nt.gov.au/transport

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