Family Law in Australia

Website of the Australian Embassy in Japan  (Additional info on Australian Embassy in Japan)

National Laws and Legal Contacts

• International Child Custody - A Common Law Judicial ConferenceWashington, D.C., September 18 - 21, 2000; Presented by the Delegation from Australia, so has some Australia specific law information.

Locality Specific Laws

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General Information

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Domestic Divorce, Child Custody and Visitation Information

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Japan Specific Information

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Travel Restrictions for Children

• Requires approval of both parents to get a passport: ???

• Has watch and notification list for new passport applications for a child: ???

• Requires entry on domestic passport for dual citizens: ???

  • Penalty: ???

• Requires permission of other parent when one parent travels alone with children

  • Entry to country:  ???

  • Exit from country: ???

• Exit controls at immigration to catch abducting parent: ???

Citizenship Issues

• Permits Dual Citizenship when other citizenship is acquired "automatically": Yes
• Permits Dual Citizenship when other citizenship is applied for intentionally: Yes (As of 4 April 2002, with the repeal of section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act.)
• Requires renouncing other citizenship(s) to get citizenship: No
• Children can acquire via:

  • Birth in the Australia: yes, if one parent is a citizen or permanent resident

  • Acquisition from a parent citizen: Yes

  • Derivation from a naturalized parent: Yes

  • Adoption: Yes (if adopted in Australia)

• Information for children born to Australian citizens in Japan
• Australian Citizenship FAQ (many detailed questions answered here)
• Australian Citizenship Act 1948

Recommended Lawyers

Unless otherwise noted, these lawyers have been mentioned by people who have had good experiences with them, and they have experience with Family Law cases in Japan.  Even if they are not licensed in your area, it may be worth it to pay for some advice, or at least to ask for a reference in your area of someone experienced in Japan related cases.

• TBD

Other Resources to Find Lawyers

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