Statements and Statutory Declarations

If you previously held a Chinese ID card and passport and used these documents for property transactions, bank account openings, or other procedures within China, but have since acquired Australian citizenship and hold an Australian passport, your original Chinese ID and passport are now invalid. In this case, a “Same Person Declaration” can confirm that these documents all belong to you.

If you have used an old Australian passport for registrations with property management bureaus, banks, or business registration offices in China and have since replaced it due to expiry or other reasons, resulting in a change of passport number, a “Same Person Declaration” will be needed to confirm that the old and new passports belong to the same person.

If you have changed your name due to naturalisation, marriage, or other personal reasons, or if you want to confirm that the Chinese name on your original Chinese documents and the English name on your Australian passport refer to the same person, a “Same Person Declaration” can assist you.

Required Documents:

• The standard content for the “Same Person Declaration” can be provided by us or drafted by the relevant domestic agency;
• The applicant’s valid passport and a scanned copy;
• Originals or scanned copies of all documents mentioned in the declaration (Chinese passport, ID card, household registration book, etc.).

According to relevant laws, if you are one of the lawful heirs to an estate, you need to declare whether you choose to inherit or renounce the inheritance (including but not limited to real estate, property, vehicles, bank deposits, company shares, financial products, stocks, housing provident funds, etc.).

If you are in Australia and unable to return to China to handle the inheritance matters in person at a local notary office or court, you can prepare a Declaration of Inheritance/Renunciation of Inheritance. This declaration will state that after careful consideration, you voluntarily choose to inherit/renounce your inheritance rights and fully understand the legal consequences of this decision, with no intention of retracting it.

Required Documents:

• The content of the Declaration of Renunciation of Inheritance/Renunciation;
• The applicant’s original valid passport and a scanned copy.

Statement of Settlement is a proof of Residence Overseas Permanently used by individuals residing in Australia to demonstrate to relevant Chinese authorities that they have settled abroad or to verify their status as a foreign permanent resident.

Chinese citizens or Australian Chinese residents living in Australia may need to provide this statement when dealing with matters such as transferring property abroad, remitting funds, or cancelling household registration in China. Relevant Chinese government departments will require proof of Australian residency documents.

Required Documents:

• The content of the Statement of Settlement;
• The applicant’s valid passport and a scanned copy;
• Proof of address: such as a Driver’s Licence, Photo ID card, council rate, or electricity bill.